Canadian-American folk legend Joni Mitchell will return to the stage for her first headlining show in two decades. Brandi Carlile, who played alongside Mitchell for her surprise set at Newport Folk Festival in July, made the announcement on yesterday’s episode of The Daily Show. The American singer-songwriter told Trevor Noah that she will be performing her own set at Washington’s Gorge Amphitheatre in June next year, and that Mitchell will then headline the following night on June 10. (Pitchfork)

According to Carlile, Mitchell has been hosting “Joni Jams” with fellow musicians ever since she slowed down her public appearances due to a brain aneurysm in 2015. She eventually approached Carlile, revealing that she wanted to play live again. Her last headlining set took place during a 2000 American tour of America where she was supported by a band with Herbie Hancock, though she has made sporadic live appearances here and there ever since.

In the aftermath of her health problems in 2015, Mitchell withdrew from the public eye because her condition impacted her ability to speak and walk. She did, however, show up to a tribute concert celebrating her 75th birthday in 2018. In a 2020 interview with the Guardian, James Taylor hinted that Mitchell was working on a new album. Though we have no further news about this, Mitchell’s decision to get back to performing is definitely a step in the right direction.