Sam Fender Reveals He Turned Down Joni Mitchell Jam Session: “I Bottled It”
Sam Fender has revealed that he once declined the opportunity to perform alongside Joni Mitchell, calling it one of his biggest regrets.
Speaking to KROQ in a recent Coachella interview, the British musician shared that nerves got the better of him when he was invited to join one of Mitchell’s exclusive “Joni Jams”—intimate jam sessions hosted by the iconic artist following her post-stroke musical return.
“Honestly, it was nerves,” he said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way I can sit next to Joni Mitchell and be like, do you want to listen to this?’… I completely bottled it.”
Mitchell’s “Joni Jams” began as private, collaborative sessions with artists like Brandi Carlile and Marcus Mumford. They eventually led to public performances, including her standout sets at the Newport Folk Festival and the LA FireAid benefit.
Fender described missing out as “one of my great regrets,” saying the decision continues to weigh on him.
While he passed on that moment, Fender’s musical journey hasn’t slowed down. His third album, People Watching, marked his most successful release to date—scoring the biggest UK opening week for a British act since Harry Styles’ Harry’s House and becoming 2025’s top-selling vinyl.
The album, praised for its introspective themes, has cemented Fender’s place as a generational voice. Looking ahead, he’s expressed interest in exploring a more punk-oriented sound for his next record.
