More than five decades since Joni Mitchell won her first Grammy, the iconic singer-songwriter graced the 2024 Grammy Awards for her first-ever performance – to make her long-overdue debut.
Yes, you read that right! Mitchell had secured ten Grammy victories in her career and received a total of 18 nominations, but she has never performed at the ceremony. So, when the 80-year-old icon took the stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to sing her hit song “Both Sides, Now,” it was a moment we all know would become a historic one for the Grammys.
Joni Mitchell’s Momentous Evening
Joni Mitchell’s breathtaking performance began with an introduction from her friend and frequent collaborator Brandi Carlile, who characterized her as “The matriarch of imagination, a genuine renaissance woman, my hero and yours.”
The music veteran then took the Grammys stage for the first time in her illustrious music career. Mitchell was seated in a throne-like chair with golden accents, holding her cane, and surrounded by chandeliers as she delivered an impeccable performance of “Both Sides, Now.” She was also joined on stage by a line of musicians, including Brandi Carlile, as well as Allison Russell, Jacob Collier, Lucius, and more.
For You
The audience warmly applauded her early in the performance. The camera even caught artists like Dua Lipa and Meryl Streep watching Mitchell attentively. When the performance ended, the Grammy audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation.
Mitchell was actually fresh from winning the Best Folk Album, which she received during the 2024 Grammy Awards pre-telecast show for her live album, Joni Mitchell At Newport. She won over strong contenders that include Old Crow Medicine Show for Jubilee, the Milk Carton Kids for I Only See the Moon, and Nickel Creek for Celebrants, among others.
Joni Mitchell At Newport is a special one as it captured Mitchell’s first live performance at the Newport Folk Festival and her first full set in over twenty years. The talented artist was forced to retire from music in 2015 after suffering a brain aneurysm. The illness even made her lose the ability to play the guitar, and she had to relearn it.
This also makes “Both Sides, Now” a poignant choice for Joni Mitchell. It was released from her second album, Clouds, and turned into one of her most famous songs. You can watch her performance of the song by playing the video below.
