• Joni Mitchell performing at California Celebrates the Whales at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California in November 1976. All photos: Getty Images
    Joni Mitchell performing at California Celebrates the Whales at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California in November 1976. All photos: Getty Images
  • Joni Mitchell performs at The Bitter End in New York City in October 1968.
    Joni Mitchell performs at The Bitter End in New York City in October 1968.
  • A film still from the documentary 'Celebration at Big Sur' with singers and musicians, from left to right: Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian, Steve Stills and Joan Baez performing at the Big Sur Folk Festival, California, 1969.
    A film still from the documentary 'Celebration at Big Sur' with singers and musicians, from left to right: Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian, Steve Stills and Joan Baez performing at the Big Sur Folk Festival, California, 1969.
  • Joni Mitchell performs at the Central Park Music Festival in New York in 1969.
    Joni Mitchell performs at the Central Park Music Festival in New York in 1969.
  • Joni Mitchell performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, UK, in 1970.
    Joni Mitchell performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, UK, in 1970.
  • Joni Mitchell performing with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Wembley Stadium, London, in 1974.
    Joni Mitchell performing with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Wembley Stadium, London, in 1974.
  • Joni Mitchell performing at the Berkeley Community Centre in September 1974.
    Joni Mitchell performing at the Berkeley Community Centre in September 1974.
  • Joni Mitchell performing with, from left to right: Richie Havens, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan in 1975, at a fundraising concert for boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter who maintained his innocence in the triple homicide for which he was sentenced to life in prison.
    Joni Mitchell performing with, from left to right: Richie Havens, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan in 1975, at a fundraising concert for boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter who maintained his innocence in the triple homicide for which he was sentenced to life in prison.
  • Neil Young and Joni Mitchell perform with The Band during The Last Waltz at Winterland in San Francisco, California, in November 1976.
    Neil Young and Joni Mitchell perform with The Band during The Last Waltz at Winterland in San Francisco, California, in November 1976.
  • Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock perform during the Berkeley Jazz Festival at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, in September 1978.
    Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock perform during the Berkeley Jazz Festival at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, in September 1978.
  • Joni Mitchell performing in Wembley Arena, London, in 1983.
    Joni Mitchell performing in Wembley Arena, London, in 1983.
  • Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd, and Joni Mitchell during a soundcheck for The Wall Concert, Berlin, in July 1990.
    Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd, and Joni Mitchell during a soundcheck for The Wall Concert, Berlin, in July 1990.
  • Joni Mitchell performing on stage at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in 1995.
    Joni Mitchell performing on stage at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in 1995.
  • Joni Mitchell performing in 1998.
    Joni Mitchell performing in 1998.
  • Joni Mitchell performs during the Thelonious Monk Jazz Tribute Concert For Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, in October 2007.
    Joni Mitchell performs during the Thelonious Monk Jazz Tribute Concert For Herbie Hancock at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, in October 2007.
  • From left to right: Scott Hoying of Pentatonix, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell and Jon Batiste perform onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honouring Mitchell at MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, Las Vegas, in April.
    From left to right: Scott Hoying of Pentatonix, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell and Jon Batiste perform onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honouring Mitchell at MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, Las Vegas, in April.
  • Brandi Carlile introduces Joni Mitchell for a special Joni Jam at the Newport Folk Festival 2022, California, on Sunday.
    Brandi Carlile introduces Joni Mitchell for a special Joni Jam at the Newport Folk Festival 2022, California, on Sunday.

Culture

On Stage

Joni Mitchell performs first public set in more than 20 years

The Canadian singer-songwriter surprised concert-goers at Newport Folk Festival

AFP

July 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Joni Mitchell, 78, delivered her first full public set in more than 20 years this weekend, surprising attendees at the Newport Folk Festival alongside country star Brandi Carlile.

The show followed Mitchell's stage cameo earlier this year, when she joined other artists as they performed a moving tribute to her life's work at the MusiCares pre-Grammy gala.

Both moments marked rare public appearances for the trailblazing Mitchell, who in 2015 suffered a brain aneurysm that left her temporarily unable to speak, the aftermath of which has involved extensive physical therapy.

The duo sang duets including A Case of You and Both Sides Now, while Mitchell delighted the crowd by playing the lengthy solo from Just Like This Train on an electric guitar.

Mitchell last appeared at Newport, an annual festival in Rhode Island, in 1969.

Sunday's 13-song set also featured her classic environmentalist anthem Big Yellow Taxi and The Circle Game along with renditions of Summertime, Love Potion No. 9 and Why Do Fools Fall in Love.

The revolutionary singer-songwriter earlier this year was honoured as MusiCares' Person of the Year at the charity gala that precedes the Grammys, where she gave a brief performance.

The next night she accepted the Grammy for Best Historical Album, appearing in a red leather beret, sunglasses and floral pants, her flowing blonde hair in pigtails.

Born in a small town in western Canada, Mitchell had her start playing small clubs and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where she became a pivotal figure in the 1960s Laurel Canyon music scene and beyond.

She is considered one of her generation's most renowned singer-songwriters, giving rise to the phenomenon of the solitary and thoughtful musician who pours out emotion on stage.

Last summer her seminal album Blue charted number one on iTunes as it hit its 50th anniversary — outperforming even pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo's Sour.

Voicing her own astonishment over the milestone on the MusiCares red carpet, Mitchell earlier this year explained her album's enduring popularity and recent resurgence: "Maybe people want to get a little bit deeper."

19 concerts and events coming to Dubai — in pictures

  • The trio Hooverphonic, led by singer Geike Arnaert, will perform in Dubai in December. Getty Images
    The trio Hooverphonic, led by singer Geike Arnaert, will perform in Dubai in December. Getty Images
  • Egyptian actress Yousra will appear in the stage production 'King Farouk' at Dubai Opera. AFP
    Egyptian actress Yousra will appear in the stage production 'King Farouk' at Dubai Opera. AFP
  • Le Trio Joubran, from left, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran. Courtesy: Youness Hamiddine
    Le Trio Joubran, from left, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran. Courtesy: Youness Hamiddine
  • Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical 'West Side Story'. The stage show will be performed in Dubai Opera in April. AP
    Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical 'West Side Story'. The stage show will be performed in Dubai Opera in April. AP
  • The Gipsy Kings shot to fame back in the 1980s with their eponymous album. Courtesy Dubai Opera
    The Gipsy Kings shot to fame back in the 1980s with their eponymous album. Courtesy Dubai Opera
  • Martin Garrix has been named 2022'S world's number one DJ by industry publication 'DJ Mag'. AFP
    Martin Garrix has been named 2022'S world's number one DJ by industry publication 'DJ Mag'. AFP
  • Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform his hits at the Coca-Cola Arena. Courtesy Coca-Cola Arena
    Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform his hits at the Coca-Cola Arena. Courtesy Coca-Cola Arena
  • Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir will perform an intimate show at Dubai Opera. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir will perform an intimate show at Dubai Opera. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Canadian DJ deadmau5 will play at the Coca-Cola Arena in December. Getty Images
    Canadian DJ deadmau5 will play at the Coca-Cola Arena in December. Getty Images
  • Singer Ne-Yo returns to Dubai in December. AFP
    Singer Ne-Yo returns to Dubai in December. AFP
  • Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren is one EDM's most celebrated artists. AFP
    Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren is one EDM's most celebrated artists. AFP
  • Nigerian singer Wizkid is one of a new generation of African artists making inroads into the western charts. Getty Images
    Nigerian singer Wizkid is one of a new generation of African artists making inroads into the western charts. Getty Images
  • Mohamed Ramadan will perform post-match concerts as part of the inaugural World Tennis League tournament. AFP
    Mohamed Ramadan will perform post-match concerts as part of the inaugural World Tennis League tournament. AFP
  • Tiesto will bring his hits to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. AFP
    Tiesto will bring his hits to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. AFP
  • Jackson Wang will perform on February 4 in Dubai as part of his Magic Man world tour. AP
    Jackson Wang will perform on February 4 in Dubai as part of his Magic Man world tour. AP
  • Irish comedienne Joanne McNally performs on April 29 at The Agenda. Photo: GME Events
    Irish comedienne Joanne McNally performs on April 29 at The Agenda. Photo: GME Events
  • The Nutcracker ballet is an annual Christmas favourite. Photo: Andy Ross
    The Nutcracker ballet is an annual Christmas favourite. Photo: Andy Ross
  • Hungarian pianist and composer Balazs Havasi will play at Dubai Opera in 2023. EPA
    Hungarian pianist and composer Balazs Havasi will play at Dubai Opera in 2023. EPA
  • The Australian singer Kylie Minogue will ring in the new year in Dubai. Reuters
    The Australian singer Kylie Minogue will ring in the new year in Dubai. Reuters
  • Tomorrowland's Terra Sollis features VIP rooms with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool. Photo: Terra Solis
    Tomorrowland's Terra Sollis features VIP rooms with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool. Photo: Terra Solis
  • Peter Bence, the former Guinness World Record holder for fastest piano player, performs at Dubai Opera on November 11. Getty Images
    Peter Bence, the former Guinness World Record holder for fastest piano player, performs at Dubai Opera on November 11. Getty Images
  • See French crooner Enrico Macias on November 12 at Coca-Cola Arena. Photo: Wikicommons
    See French crooner Enrico Macias on November 12 at Coca-Cola Arena. Photo: Wikicommons
  • Spanish opera star Placido Domingo will headline the lavish Dresden Opera Ball gala evening at Dubai Opera. Getty Images
    Spanish opera star Placido Domingo will headline the lavish Dresden Opera Ball gala evening at Dubai Opera. Getty Images
  • Croation classic group 2Cellos are coming to Dubai in November. Courtesy: MBC
    Croation classic group 2Cellos are coming to Dubai in November. Courtesy: MBC
  • Watch British singer-songwriter Calum Scott live at Hard Rock Cafe in November. Getty Images
    Watch British singer-songwriter Calum Scott live at Hard Rock Cafe in November. Getty Images
  • Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is returning to the UAE for a concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 24. EPA
    Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is returning to the UAE for a concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 24. EPA
  • Illusionist Rob Lake is performing 'The Magic of Rob Lake' at Dubai Opera from November 25 to 27. Photo: FilmMagic
    Illusionist Rob Lake is performing 'The Magic of Rob Lake' at Dubai Opera from November 25 to 27. Photo: FilmMagic
  • Music and street culture festival Sole DXB is back for 2022 in December. Photo: Sole DXB
    Music and street culture festival Sole DXB is back for 2022 in December. Photo: Sole DXB
  • The Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in December, features concerts, family activities and plenty of shopping deals. Photo: Dubai Shopping Festival
    The Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in December, features concerts, family activities and plenty of shopping deals. Photo: Dubai Shopping Festival
  • Pakistani singer Abida Parveen returns to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 9. Photo: Catherine de Clippel
    Pakistani singer Abida Parveen returns to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 9. Photo: Catherine de Clippel
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

On Women's Day
Updated: July 26, 2022, 6:04 AM
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