ALANIS MORISSETTE AT PNC BANK ARTS CENTER IN HOLMDEL
This past Thursday, June 21st, 2022, the lovely and talented Alanis Morissette made a stop at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. The saying “Third times the charm…” – after 2 rescheduled dates, one due to the pandemic aftermath and another due to the weather, the fans that were teased were finally given their wish. It was time to celebrate 25 Years of Jagged Little Pill.
Shirley Manson and her band Garbage helped open the show. With both these iconic 90’s rockstars performing on this night, there was absolutely no question as to whether this was going to be a good show or an amazing one! Their set included a large list of classics with some of my favorites “Stupid Girl”, “Only Happy When It Rains”, and “I Think I’m Paranoid”. Shirley Manson came out in her unique and eye catching fashion, and sounded just as great as when I first heard her in the early 90’s.
As the house lights went dark, and after a video played showing the years of growth, Alanis Morissette was ready to take on the excited Jersey crowd. She started off with some of the original rock/post grunge songs that made Jagged Little Pill the masterpiece it is to date. “All I Really Want”, “Hand In My Pocket”, “You Learn”, “Mary Jane” – doing the 90’s music scene just right! I loved turning side to side, sometimes a full 360, and seeing just how many people in the crowd were all on the same page and enjoying the same moment. This show had exactly that and even more. There were certain points as I walked around the venue that the crowd was so loud, the live music was muffled.
From the very moment she stepped out into the spotlight, Alanis was singing and moving literally from stage left to stage right. She made a few pit stops to have a bonding jam session between herself and the other musicians on stage with her. Just like it felt with Garbage performing, I felt like I was back in my younger teen years getting to rock out and enjoy the grunge (and the rock) sound I grew up loving. As the show passed the halfway mark and closed in on almost two dozen songs played, Alanis pulled out two of her most famous hits, “Ironic” followed by the show closer, “You Oughta Know”. The seating area at PNC Banks Art Center looked sold out, yet not one seat had a person sitting in it. Just about every person in attendance was singing the lyrics. Just about every person was enjoying the same exact moment that was happening right in front of our faces. After waiting nearly a year if not more (for some), we all got to witness the celebration of Jagged Little Pill, a beautiful blast from the past down memory lane. We witnessed the amazing and talented Alanis Morrissette absolutely dominate that stage and show us all why she is the Queen of Alternative Rock Angst.