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Joni Mitchell never took too kindly to the feminist label, despite crafting music that has empowered decades of women to confront the tricky politics of love and sex. Still, she remains an icon — and was the subject of last night’s concert, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Helped by the sensational Nu Civilisation Orchestra, a mesmerising taskforce of female performers effortlessly re-interpreted Mitchell’s Hejira album, using the 1976 project’s theme of journeying to explore migration. Irish singer Lisa Hannigan’s whimsical opener of Coyote was a beautiful tribute, only pipped by singer Nadine Shah’s powerful and pleading Blue Motel Room.
Poet Sabrina Mahfouz’s wicked tale about a mermaid initially seemed off-script but its blunt sentiment was Mitchell to the core. The same went for singer Emel Mathlouthi: her performance of protest song Kelmti Horra quickly felt just as fitting as her earlier cover of title track Hejira.
Zimbabwean powerhouse Eska took the stronger, final third, solidifying her cult status with a funky treatment of Black Crow. Only a group singalong of Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi could finish off such a wonderful night for the ultimate heroine.