Blue Experience

What's your favourite album? You know: the one you play on repeat, know all the words to, and never get tired of?

For Sophie Ricketts, that album is Joni Mitchell's 1971 masterpiece: Blue.

Blue burst forth in 1971 and still remains one of the most celebrated records of all time. For Sophie, first introduced to the album as a teenager, it took on new significance as she left adolescence and entered her adulthood. Eventually becoming her most favourite album, just as it first mapped out Joni's elation and heartbreak during her formative years it also felt like a blueprint of navigating adult decisions and independence for Sophie. The poetic lyrics and intricate melodies were beautiful and tragic all at once, making an impression deep and lasting.

Even more than forty years after its initial release, Blue is still hailed as one of the best albums by music critics and fans the world over. Sophie's performance of Joni's songs aims to delight old fans and introduce the album to a whole new audience, while also serving as a vocal love letter to Joni herself.

Join Sophie as she takes you on a journey through the album's ten songs and explains just what is so special about each one. For a show which is one part musical tribute, two parts vulnerability, and 100% sincere, be a part of the Blue experience.

This show was first devised as part of the in session cabaret festival in Christchurch 2019, and received a successful showing at the Nelson Fringe Festival in 2020 (taking out a highly commended award and placing runner up for audience favourite).