have you been able to see joanna in person?

As I remind myself to wait patiently for new music, I’ve been reminiscing about the one show I lucked into seeing back in 2016 and rewatching all the old shaky-handed iphone footage from that night. I’d love to share my story and hear about yours. Have you had a chance to see her perform? What was the best part for you?

So for me, I had been talked into going with my in laws to a completely unrelated show for some swing band I’d never heard of, and by this stroke of luck I saw the venue’s schedule announcing that Joanna Newsom would be there the following month. I was nearly short on rent that month but I bought tickets for myself and my then-fiancé (now ex husband) on the spot. At that point I had considered her my favorite artist for years, but had missed her show when she came through the bay, so I wasn’t going to miss her again.

This was just after Divers had been released and she played a few songs from each of her albums. I think I sobbed through the whole show, and of course bought the album in the lobby. I recorded as much as I could so I could remember it forever, and when I was too in-awe, my ex had dutifully recorded what I missed. Later, during the divorce, he made sure to send me each of his own recordings bless him. Baby Birch is the last song from that night, so she must have closed the set with this one. I definitely blacked out 🥹

Anyway I’ve included my favorite little clip of her on the piano that night, if it’s okay. Tell me your stories!