Acclaimed Joni Mitchell tribute This Flight Tonight set for Londonderry debut and Belfast return with Zervas & Pepper
Music fans in Northern Ireland are set for a special double bill this weekend as a celebrated tribute to Joni Mitchell comes to both Londonderry and Belfast.
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This Flight Tonight – The Songs of Joni Mitchell will arrive at St Augustine's Church on Saturday, March 21, before travelling to The Black Box on Sunday, March 22.
Presented by acclaimed Welsh duo Zervas & Pepper — Paul Zervas and Kathryn Pepper — alongside their five-piece band, the production offers an intimate and richly textured celebration of Mitchell’s celebrated Reprise/Asylum years from 1968 to 1976.
Formed in early 2023, This Flight Tonight has quickly gained recognition for its authenticity, capturing the warmth and creative spirit of Mitchell’s early performances and the golden era of Laurel Canyon. Audiences can expect beautifully crafted renditions of classics including California, Blue, Woodstock, Both Sides Now, Carey, Coyote and A Case of You.
The performances also mark a return to familiar ground for the duo, who previously played The Black Box in 2024.
“We’re really looking forward to coming back to Belfast and making our debut in Derry,” said Kathryn Pepper. “There’s something incredibly special about performing this music in intimate venues where every lyric and musical detail can really land.”
The show features open-tuned acoustic and electric guitars, piano, dulcimer, conga and bass, all woven together with rich vocal harmonies to recreate Mitchell’s distinctive and influential sound.
“We’re musical purists,” Pepper added. “Every note, inflection, and pause in Joni’s work is intentional. We hold her music in the highest regard and aim to capture its inner spirit and channel its majesty into every performance.”
Paul Zervas said Mitchell’s work continues to shape his own musicianship.
“As a guitarist, I learned to play by studying Joni’s incredible catalogue — the alternate tunings, the voicing, the harmonic nuance,” he said. “Her songs are as intricate as they are emotional, and we strive to honour that balance every night.”
With five critically acclaimed albums and extensive touring across the UK and Europe, Zervas & Pepper have built a strong following, with airplay across RTÉ and beyond. Their latest return to Ireland with This Flight Tonight promises a deeply moving live experience for audience.
Come and step inside Joni’s world and rediscover the magic of her music in an unforgettable live performance.
This Flight Tonight – The Songs of Joni Mitchell takes place at St Augustine’s Church, Derry, on Saturday, March 21, and The Black Box, Belfast, on Sunday, March 22. Tickets are available now via Eventbrite.
Sat 21 March – St Augustine’s Church, Derry
Sun 22 March – The Black Box, Belfast
Watch Zervas & Pepper - https://youtu.be/_3UFYMkasEs?si=W09lz72CIAGQ5mA7