Beyond the music, the concert served as the launch for an 18-date North American tour. This tour was organized in direct partnership with Amnesty International to highlight the urgent and critical issue of racial and ethnic disparities within the United States incarceration system. This commitment to social justice has been a defining characteristic of Baez’s career since she first rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s.

The 2016 duet was not the first time Baez had performed “The Boxer” with Paul Simon. The two had previously shared the stage for the song during the 1982 Bread and Roses charity concert. While only an audio recording of that earlier performance persists, it remains a significant piece of folk history. Baez had also demonstrated her affinity for the song earlier, having performed a solo version at the Oakland Auditorium in 1981.

Throughout her career, which began with her 1960 self-titled debut, Joan Baez has established herself as a multifaceted artist and activist. Her history includes performing at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, maintaining high-profile friendships with figures like Martin Luther King Jr., and advocating for causes ranging from the Vietnam War to LGBT+ rights, even releasing the song “Altar Boy and the Thief” in 1977 to support her gay fanbase. As of the latest updates, Baez continues to share her music and engage with her audience through her official digital platforms and social media channels.