Joni Mitchell performs at the Newport Folk Festival

Joni Mitchell, the esteemed Canadian singer-songwriter and one of the defining musicians of the 1960s and 1970s, surprised audiences in Rhode Island on Sunday when she appeared at the Newport Folk Festival to perform her first full set in nearly two decades, guitar in hand.

Mitchell, who hasn’t caught the spotlight at all, has been out of the public eye since he had Brain aneurysm In 2015. When she recovered, she appeared in a few short times: In December, she presented rare public speech When I accepted the Kennedy Center Medal, and in April, I presented a Televised appearance at the Grammys He was honored at a special ceremony for MusiCaresIt is a Grammy charity.

But on Sunday, Mitchell, 78, wears a hoodie and sunglasses, She has performed some of her most famous songsincluding “Carrie”, “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Both Sides Now”.

At one point Mitchell, who had an electric guitar slung over her shoulder, performed a solo for several minutes. ‘Just like this train’ As fans cheer and cheer.

“After all she’s been through, she’s back at the Newport Folk Fest stage after 53 years and I’ll never forget sitting next to her while stopping by this old world for a while,” singer-songwriter Brandi Carlyle, who sang backup for Mitchell during her appearance at the festival, He said in a tweet.

Having “looked at life from so many sides,” Mitchell added, “he came out of the storm singing like a prophet.”

Although Mitchell has limited her appearances in recent years, she hasn’t avoided the headlines.

In January, Mitchell joined Neil Young Spotify streaming service boycottabout its role in giving a platform to misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Irresponsible people spread lies that cost people their lives,” Mitchell wrote of the company at the time. “I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical community on this issue,” she added.

On Sunday, several musicians, including Carlyle, cornered Mitchell on stage, and sang along with her. I will never get over this. Carlisle later wrote on Twitter. “Please give me.”

Mitchell and Carlyle also sang “your case” From the influential “Blue” album released over 50 years ago, Mitchell sang:

Oh, I can drink a can for you, baby

I will stay on my feet

Oh, I’ll stay on my feet.

The roar of the crowd.