In a powerful and politically charged performance in Los Angeles, legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell made a bold statement against former President Donald Trump and encouraged American citizens to participate in the upcoming US elections. During her first headline concert in LA in 24 years, the 80-year-old Canadian artist responded to an audience member's comment about Trump by exclaiming, "Fuck Donald Trump!"
Mitchell's response appeared to echo the sentiment of the 2016 protest anthem FDT by YG. Despite her own inability to vote in the US as a Canadian, she took a stand, telling the crowd, "Everybody get out and vote. This is an important one. I wish I could vote – I'm Canadian. I'm one of those lousy immigrants."
In addition to her political remarks, Mitchell performed several rarely heard songs, including the title track of her 1985 album Dog Eat Dog, a song that critiques the power held by evangelists, financiers, and political figures. As she sang the line, "big wig financiers," she added an impromptu jab: "like Donald Trump," further amplifying her political message.
The concert, held at the Hollywood Bowl over two nights, featured a stellar lineup of musicians such as Brandi Carlile, Robin Pecknold, Marcus Mumford, Annie Lennox, and Jon Batiste, all collaborating in what was described as a "Joni Jam." The setlist spanned Mitchell's career, with the iconic artist performing classics alongside newer material. Highlights included her live debuts of If I Had a Heart from her 2007 album Shine, and The Sire of Sorrow from 1994's Turbulent Indigo.
Her performance marked a triumphant return to the stage, following her surprise 2022 appearance at the Newport Folk Festival, which was her first public performance since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015. Throughout the concert, Mitchell remained seated and even humorously adjusted the lyrics of Elton John's I'm Still Standing to "I'm still sitting after all this time."
While Mitchell's last original album was Shine in 2007, she continues to share her musical legacy through archival reissues. Fans were treated to rare and remastered tracks in The Asylum Albums (1976-1980), released in June, and her passion for music remains as potent as ever.
Mitchell's concert wasn't just about nostalgia—it was a potent reminder of her enduring influence as both an artist and a voice for justice.