Joss Stone Brings Soul, Humor, and Heart to Rockport — Proving “Less Is More”

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Mixtape with Bonnie’s Stage Storm: Fall 2025

October 4, 2024, Rockport, MA

Joss Stone brought her signature warmth, humor, and powerhouse vocals to the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The stop on her Less Is More tour felt more like an evening among friends than a traditional concert — fitting for the artist who has spent two decades building connection through conversation and soul.

Dressed in a flowing yellow dress, barefoot and beaming, Stone opened the night with the title track “Less Is More,” instantly filling the intimate, oceanfront venue with her easy joy. She joked with the audience about making “a proper cup of tea” before a show, confessed her admiration for Alison Krauss, and offered a sweet nod to Tom Petty with “You Belong Among the Wildflowers.”

Midway through the set, she invited Gareth a from Northern Ireland to join her for a duet, their harmonies rich and unguarded. Stone’s setlist blended her own hits — including “Super Duper Love” and “Walk With Me” — with soulful covers like James Bay’s “Let It Go,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Say a Little Prayer,” and a smoldering “I Put a Spell on You.” Between songs, she mused about identity, kindness, and the challenge of “saying the wrong thing” in a world that’s quick to react, her tone thoughtful but never heavy.

A highlight came with “Sensimilla,” her playful ode to relaxation, which had the crowd laughing and swaying in rhythm. By the time she returned for an encore of “Right to Be Wrong,” the audience was on its feet — not just for the music, but for the spirit she carried into the room.

In a world of overproduction and flash, Joss Stone proved once again that authenticity, heart, and a voice that can raise the rafters are more than enough. In Rockport, less truly was more.