May 4th, 1999, is the last time Alanis Morissette graced a stage in Calgary. It’s not that she hasn’t toured, but for whatever reason the Canadian singer-songwriter never included our province on her road schedule. Yet absence and a sprinkle of nostalgia apparently makes the heart grow fonder, as the Saddledome was packed to the rafters July 27th for Morissette’s return on the Jagged Little Pill Anniversary Tour.

Her mega-selling 1995 album was the focus of the show, kicking off with All I Really Want, the opener from the album. She didn’t stick to the album order, with Hand in my Pocket next. The audience sang along to every word while Alanis swirled about the stage in the manner that she did 25+ years ago when she first took the Saddledome Stage for the original tour.

There were some non-jagged bits sprinkled in, mostly in small snippets rearranged. Hands Clean and So Unsexy from 2002’s Under Rug Swept were brief. Her latest album Such Pretty Forks in the Road had but 3 full songs represented – Ablaze, Smiling and the single Reason’s I Drink. Otherwise, the main set was entirely Jagged. Morissette had a huge smile as she held out the microphone for the audience to sing parts of Ironic while images from the original tour played on the screens behind her. It was a touching tribute to late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who toured with her before joining The Foo Fighters. It was no surprise that the main set ended with a massive rendition of the song that started it all You Oughta Know.

The encore had an interesting twist, turning one of her most wrenching songs Your House – a hidden track on the album, remember those? – into reggae and dance pop, each time saying "Nope" as if trying to find the right vibe. Which she did in the final verse and chorus, stripped down to just her. Morissette has long been underrated for her vocals, and when she hits falsettos or pours emotion into a song, you feel it.

The familiar keyboard intro to Uninvited kept the audience on its feet, before the show wrapped up with a dedication of Thank U.

In some ways, the concert was frustrating. Morissette is still so incredible to watch live, a whirlwind of hair, harmonica and song. Having not seen her live in over 2 decades makes one regret those missed shows. If the constant ovation from the supposed infatuation junkies in the crowd was an indication, she should not wait so long to return.

It was surprising to see so many seats empty when openers Garbage took the stage. Singer Shirley Manson was captivating with orange hair and a large black dress as they kicked off their hour long set with Vow off their debut album and the title track of their 2021 release No Gods No Masters. The rest of the band (the original lineup of Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards), and acclaimed producer Butch Vig (drums) blasted the audience with Stupid Girl which was the first sing-along of the night. The audience filled in to hear songs that ran the radio at the same time as Alanis like I Think I’m Paranoid and I’m Only Happy When It Rains. Manson said early in the set that it was their first time in Calgary since 2005. Much like the headliner, their show was fantastic and hopefully they come back sooner as well.

Marketed as a night looking back at the 90’s, both Alanis Morrisette and Garbage proved they are still phenomenal performers.

Alanis Setlist
All I Really Want
Hand in My Pocket
Right Through You
You Learn
Hands Clean (snippet) Forgiven
Everything (snippet) Mary Jane
Diagnosis (snippet)
Reasons I Drink
So Unsexy (snippet)
Ablaze
Nemesis (snippet)
Perfect
Losing the Plot(snippet)
Wake Up
Not the Doctor
Ironic
Sympathetic Character(snippet)
Smiling
I Remain (snippet)
You Oughta Know
Encore:
Your House
Uninvited
Thank U

Garbage Setlist
Vow
No Gods No Masters
Stupid Girl
Special
Godhead
The Trick Is to Keep Breathing
The Men Who Rule the World
I Think I'm Paranoid
Wolves
Only Happy When It Rains
Push It
You Look So Fine

Related Articles

Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Person Shirley Manson | Alanis Morissette |

Topic Concert Review |