Joni Mitchell made a strong political statement during her headline concert in Los Angeles on Saturday, responding to an audience member's insult about Donald Trump with an expletive-laden retort. The 80-year-old singer, performing her first headline show in the city in 24 years, also urged US citizens to vote in the upcoming election, noting that as a Canadian she cannot participate.
Mitchell performed the political title track of her 1985 album Dog Eat Dog for the first time since its release, ad-libbing 'like Donald Trump' after a line about 'big wig financiers'. The song criticises 'snakebite evangelists and racketeers'. She also debuted newer songs, including If I Had a Heart and The Sire of Sorrow, which address themes of war and despair.
The concert, dubbed 'Joni Jam', featured guest musicians such as Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, and Marcus Mumford. Mitchell covered Elton John's I'm Still Standing, changing the lyrics to 'I'm still sitting' as she remained seated throughout the performance. The event marked her continued return to live performance after a brain aneurysm in 2015 left her unable to speak or walk.
