I’ve been an Alanis Morissette fan for as long as I can remember, but nothing quite prepared me for the intimate, electric experience of seeing her live at The Fillmore Silver Spring on October 23, 2012. The venue, a relatively cozy spot compared to the arenas Alanis could easily fill, gave the night a personal, almost conversational feel. With the crowd pressed close to the stage, every lyric, every guitar lick, and every flicker of emotion seemed amplified. This wasn’t just a concert; it felt like a private gathering where Alanis let us peek into her world.
The Anticipation Builds
The Fillmore has a way of making big artists feel accessible. Standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow fans, I could feel the hum of excitement ripple through the room as the lights dimmed. There was no flashy countdown or dramatic intro—just a subtle shift as the stage lights bathed the room in a warm glow. And then, with a quiet confidence, Alanis and her band emerged, greeted by a roar that shook the floor.
The opening notes of “I Remain (Segue 1)” set the mood beautifully. This ethereal instrumental piece served as both a prologue and a promise, easing the crowd into the emotional journey ahead. It wasn’t long before Alanis stepped to the mic, her signature mane of hair flowing as she launched into the night’s first full song.
Set One: A Powerful Start
The first full track, “Woman Down,” was the perfect opener—assertive, defiant, and deeply rhythmic. The song’s feminist message resonated powerfully in the intimate space, and Alanis sang it with a conviction that felt both timely and timeless. The crowd responded with wild cheers, fully locked into the groove from the start.
Without missing a beat, she transitioned into “All I Really Want,” one of the most iconic tracks from Jagged Little Pill. Hearing it live was like being hit with a wave of nostalgia and adrenaline all at once. The Fillmore’s walls seemed to shake as the audience shouted back every word, a communal catharsis that only a song like this can spark.
Next came “You Learn,” another Jagged classic that turned the room into a massive sing-along. Alanis smiled warmly as she watched the crowd belt out the chorus, clearly enjoying the shared energy. From there, she introduced “Guardian,” one of the standout tracks from her then-new album Havoc and Bright Lights. The song’s uplifting message and soaring melody fit perfectly alongside her classics, proving that her newer material held its own against the hits.
The emotional core of the first set arrived with “Perfect.” Stripped of heavy instrumentation, this performance allowed Alanis’s voice to shine in all its aching vulnerability. The crowd fell into a reverent hush as she delivered the song’s plea for unconditional acceptance.
She followed it with “Edge of Evolution,” another Havoc track that pulsed with urgency and layered textures. Its message of growth and transformation felt perfectly in step with Alanis’s career-long theme of self-discovery.
The mood shifted dramatically with “Right Through You,” a biting indictment of industry sexism that sounded just as ferocious in 2012 as it did in 1995. Alanis delivered each lyric like a dagger, her band backing her with a sharp, driving rhythm that made the song crackle with energy.
Then came a moment of pure joy with “So Pure,” a breezy, danceable number from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. Alanis twirled across the stage, her voice buoyant and playful, inviting the crowd to lose themselves in the groove.
The Heart of the Night
The room erupted when the unmistakable opening chords of “Ironic” rang out. It’s the song that introduced many of us to Alanis in the first place, and it remains an indelible pop culture moment. The audience sang every line, some with ironic grins, others with genuine glee. Alanis, ever the good sport, leaned into the song’s humor, even laughing at a particularly enthusiastic section of the crowd during the “rain on your wedding day” line.
After the high of “Ironic,” Alanis slowed things down with “Havoc,” a moody, introspective track that showcased the depth of her newer material. The haunting melody and raw lyrics created a powerful contrast to the previous song’s buoyant energy, reminding everyone that Alanis has never been afraid to explore emotional complexity.
The set continued with “Head Over Feet,” one of the night’s sweetest moments. Couples swayed together, friends threw arms around each other, and the entire room sang the chorus in unison. It was a reminder that amid all the angst and fury, Alanis also writes love songs that celebrate tenderness and connection.
Next came “Lens,” another Havoc track that blended introspection with a driving beat. The song’s exploration of perspective and relationships fit seamlessly into the night’s emotional tapestry.
As the band built toward the next segment, Alanis returned to the haunting motif of “I Remain (Segue 3),” creating a sonic bridge that felt like a deep breath before the storm to come.
The Climax
That storm arrived with “Uninvited,” one of Alanis’s most dramatic and unforgettable songs. The slow, eerie build gave way to a thunderous climax, with Alanis’s voice soaring and growling in equal measure. The live arrangement added layers of intensity, transforming the song into an almost cinematic experience. The crowd stood transfixed, swept up in the song’s dark beauty.
And then came “You Oughta Know.” If there’s one song that defines Alanis’s career, it’s this one. Decades after its release, it still hits like a gut punch. Alanis’s delivery was nothing short of feral, her voice raw and unrelenting as she spit out the lyrics. The crowd screamed every word back at her, a collective release of fury and heartbreak that left the room vibrating.
After such an explosive moment, Alanis wisely followed with “Numb,” a sleek, moody track that allowed everyone to catch their breath while still keeping the energy high. Its hypnotic groove served as a perfect close to the main set, leaving the audience hungry for more.
Encore One: An Acoustic Gem
The stage went dark for a moment before Alanis returned for the first encore, this time with just an acoustic guitar. This stripped-down segment offered a welcome change of pace and a chance to hear her songs in their purest form.
She opened with “Hand in My Pocket,” transforming the upbeat anthem into a more intimate sing-along. The crowd swayed and sang every line, their voices mingling with Alanis’s in a warm, communal harmony.
Next came “Hands Clean,” which took on new emotional resonance in this acoustic arrangement. Without the full band, the lyrics cut even deeper, their mix of confession and confrontation more striking than ever.
The highlight of the acoustic set was “Everything,” the closing track from So-Called Chaos. It’s a song about acceptance—of flaws, of contradictions, of love in all its messiness. Alanis delivered it with a quiet grace, her voice tender but strong. In that moment, the entire Fillmore felt like a single heartbeat.
Encore Two: A Perfect Farewell
Just when it seemed the night was over, Alanis returned for a second encore, closing with “Thank U.” The song’s message of gratitude and transformation provided the perfect ending. As she sang “thank you disillusionment,” the audience joined in, their voices rising in a joyous chorus. It was a cathartic, life-affirming finale that sent everyone out into the night with full hearts.
The Full Setlist
For those keeping track, here’s the complete setlist from this unforgettable evening:
Main Set
I Remain (Segue 1)
Woman Down
All I Really Want
You Learn
Guardian
Perfect
Edge of Evolution
Right Through You
So Pure
Ironic
Havoc
Head Over Feet
Lens
I Remain (Segue 3)
Uninvited
You Oughta Know
Numb
Encore 1 (Acoustic)
Hand in My Pocket
Hands Clean
Everything
Encore 2
Thank U
Alanis in 2012: Still Fearless, Still Evolving
What struck me most about this show was how seamlessly Alanis blended her new material with her classic hits. Songs from Havoc and Bright Lights like “Guardian,” “Lens,” and “Edge of Evolution” didn’t feel like obligatory additions—they felt essential, carrying the same emotional weight and melodic punch as the Jagged Little Pill tracks. This wasn’t an artist coasting on nostalgia. It was a performer still very much in the creative moment.
Her voice was in remarkable form, too. Alanis has always had a singular vocal style—elastic, emotive, capable of both delicate whispers and primal screams. Live, that range is even more striking. She shifted effortlessly from the tender vulnerability of “Perfect” to the volcanic fury of “You Oughta Know,” proving that time has only deepened her expressive power.
Equally impressive was her connection with the audience. Alanis spoke often between songs, offering insights into her writing process and sprinkling in bits of dry humor. She exuded warmth and authenticity, making the sizable crowd feel like a circle of old friends.
Final Thoughts
Walking out of The Fillmore that night, I was struck by how Alanis Morissette continues to defy easy categorization. She’s a rock star, a poet, a confessional songwriter, and a fearless explorer of the human condition. Her music has always been about growth—about owning your pain, your joy, your contradictions—and this concert embodied that spirit completely.
For longtime fans, the show was a reminder of why we fell in love with her music in the first place. For newer listeners, it was an invitation into a catalog that remains as vital and relevant as ever. Whether she was unleashing the rage of “You Oughta Know,” basking in the gratitude of “Thank U,” or sharing the quiet beauty of “Everything,” Alanis gave us a night that was both cathartic and uplifting.
Ten years after the release of Jagged Little Pill, and nearly two decades into her career, Alanis Morissette proved once again that she’s more than just an icon of the ’90s—she’s an artist still at the height of her powers. And on that October night in Silver Spring, she reminded all of us why her voice, her words, and her music continue to matter.