Brandi Carlile Debuts Song Joni at Grammy Museum

The performance marked the first time Carlile played the final unreleased track from her 2025 album.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Folk

Screen-print poster illustration of an acoustic guitar and microphone on a rooftop, evoking the warm, nostalgic atmosphere of a live music performance.
Brandi Carlile performed her new song Joni for the first time during an intimate event at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Brandi Carlile performed her song Joni for the first time during a live event at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The debut took place on the venue's Ray Charles Rooftop Terrace.

Why it matters

The performance provided fans with the final piece of the 2025 album Returning To Myself. It serves as a culmination of the artistic collaboration between Carlile and Joni Mitchell that began in 2018.

Joni was the final track from the 2025 album Returning To Myself to be performed live. This follows a career of Mitchell-focused performances, including shows at the Disney Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall.

The players

Brandi Carlile

She is a multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals and deep collaborative roots in folk music.

Joni Mitchell

She is an iconic singer-songwriter and visual artist whose work, particularly the album Blue, has profoundly influenced generations of folk musicians.

Cameron Crowe

He is an acclaimed filmmaker and journalist known for his detailed musical storytelling and deep historical knowledge of the folk and rock landscape.

The details

Brandi Carlile debuted the track during an intimate live event that featured a conversation with Cameron Crowe. The performance concluded the cycle of unplayed songs from her most recent studio album.

Timeline

  1. 2018: Brandi Carlile and Joni Mitchell first met.

  2. 2019: Carlile performed Mitchell's album Blue at Disney Concert Hall.

  3. 2021: Carlile performed Blue at Carnegie Hall.

  4. July 2022: Carlile organized Mitchell's Newport Folk Festival appearance.

  5. October 12, 2026: Carlile debuted the song Joni at the Grammy Museum.

Industry Dynamics

This performance underscores the industry-wide trend of modern folk artists acting as torchbearers for legendary songwriters. Carlile has systematically positioned herself as a guardian of Mitchell's legacy through high-profile tributes and collaborative concert events.

Fans who follow Carlile's live performance history can now access the full catalog of songs from her 2025 album. This event confirms that previously unplayed material is officially entering her active touring rotation.

The takeaway

Carlile's debut of the song highlights the depth of her artistic dedication to Mitchell's enduring influence. Listeners can now experience the final piece of the 2025 album as the artist continues to bridge generational gaps in the folk community.

Further reading

Explore more artist updates and live performance news on the Los Angeles Folk section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by JamBase.