Home News Classic Rock News Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon gave surprise performances at the Newport Folk Festival

Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon gave surprise performances at the Newport Folk Festival

177
Douglas Mason/Getty Images

Joni Mitchell thrilled fans at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island on Sunday when she made a surprise appearance at the event, marking her first performance at the fest since 1969.

Mitchell, who has rarely performed in public since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015, was the guest of honor at "Joni Jam" — a Brandi Carlile-led event that featured accompaniment and guest appearances from a variety of musicians and singers, including Wynonna Judd, Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons, Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith, Lucius, Allison Russell and Shooter Jennings.

Sitting in a plush throne-like chair, Mitchell sang along with Brandi for most of the 13-song set and delivered lead vocals on several songs, including her classics "Both Sides Now" and "The Circle Game." Joni even played some guitar during a rendition of her 1974 tune "Just Like a Train."

The last time Mitchell performed a full set of songs was in 2000. Her official website has gathered together links to fan-shot videos of all 13 performances.
In related news, Paul Simon also made a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival over the weekend. On Saturday, July 23, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats curated a set of Simon's songs that featured various guest performers, including Paul, who joined in for the last four songs — "Graceland," "American Tune," "The Boxer" and "The Sound of Silence."

"What an absolute pleasure to work with Nathaniel Rateliff and his incredible band," Simon wrote on his Facebook page Sunday. "[Nathaniel's] curation of my music and all of the artists he selected to participate was overwhelming."

Here's the full set list of Joni's performance:

"Carey"
"Come In from the Cold"
"Help Me"
"A Case of You"
"Big Yellow Taxi"
"Just Like This Train"
"Why Do Fools Fall In Love"
"Amelia"
"Love Potion #9"
"Shine"
"Summertime"
"Both Sides Now"
"The Circle Game"

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.