2019 Newport Folk Festival: Brandi Carlile Sings ‘The Joke’ With Hozier After Cutting Song From Her Own Set [WATCH]
Brandi Carlile joined singer-songwriter Hozier onstage during the 2019 Newport Folk Festival on Sunday (July 28) to perform her fan-favorite song, "The Joke." Before her performance, the singer explained that she'd had to take the song out of her own set -- for a very good reason.
The day prior (July 27), famed singer-songwriter Judy Collins had been among the legion of iconic female performers to join Carlile onstage for an all-star jam that also included Sheryl Crow, the Highwomen, Dolly Parton and many others. According to Relix, during that lengthy, collaboration-filled set, Collins and Carlile performed a rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." In the midst of all the surprise duet fun, Carlile explained onstage during Hozier's set the next day, the two performers had gotten a bit carried away and forgotten about the time.
"Last night at the amazing super-jam we got to do, Judy Collins started telling her story about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll," the singer told the crowd. "And my tour manager held up a sign that said, 'You gotta cut "The Joke.""
Hozier to the rescue. The singer asked Carlile to return to the stage during his set in order to perform the song, even joining her performance, taking lead vocals on the second verse.
For the two performers, duetting on Carlile's song was a reunion of sorts. They performed together at Bonnaroo 2019 as well, duetting on Hozier's 2014 hit, "Work Song." At the time, the singer-songwriter described Carlile's voice as "powerful" and "beautiful," and also expressed his excitement for her then-forthcoming new supergroup, the Highwomen. The Highwomen made their official live debut during the Newport Folk Festival, bringing Hozier and Carlile's working friendship full circle.
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