There’s something almost poetic about seeing Alanis Morissette at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the historic site of the original Woodstock. Alanis has always carried that same spirit of freedom, rebellion, and raw honesty that made Woodstock a defining cultural moment. On July 5th, 2024, she brought that energy to a near-capacity crowd, performing a set that was as cathartic as it was celebratory. For a fan like me, who grew up with Jagged Little Pill as both a soundtrack and a confidant, this concert wasn’t just a show—it was an emotional pilgrimage.
Setting the Scene
Bethel Woods is one of those venues that naturally sets the mood. Nestled in the rolling hills of upstate New York, the amphitheater feels both grand and intimate, a perfect match for Alanis’s unique blend of confessional lyrics and stadium-sized hooks. The crowd was a mix of generations: parents who remember blasting Jagged Little Pill in the ’90s, twenty-somethings who discovered her through Jagged Little Pill: The Musical, and even some teens who might only know her from TikTok. There was a shared sense of anticipation, the kind that builds when you know you’re about to hear songs that have lived in your bloodstream for decades.
When the lights dimmed and the first chords rang out, the roar was deafening. Alanis strolled onstage barefoot, wearing a flowing black top and a smile that radiated both warmth and mischief. Without a word, she launched into the opening number, setting the tone for a night that would move seamlessly between fury, forgiveness, and everything in between.
Set 1: The Electric Beginning
The first set opened with a jolt of nostalgia as Alanis kicked things off with “Hand in My Pocket.” It’s a song that’s aged beautifully, its message of contradiction and acceptance resonating just as strongly now as it did in 1995. The audience sang every word, turning the amphitheater into a massive choir. From there, she dove into “Right Through You,” a biting track that showcased her still-potent rage and razor-sharp delivery. Hearing her sneer “you took a long hard look at my ass” live is a reminder of how fearlessly she called out hypocrisy decades before it became fashionable.
Next came “Reasons I Drink,” a standout from her 2020 album Such Pretty Forks in the Road. It’s a track that proves Alanis is still writing with the same fearless introspection that made her famous, and the crowd responded with a mix of curiosity and reverence. She segued into “A Man” before delivering a soaring “Hands Clean,” which got one of the night’s biggest sing-alongs. Her band was locked in, providing a muscular backdrop to her vocals, which remain as expressive and elastic as ever.
The set continued with “Can’t Not,” a deep cut that longtime fans were thrilled to hear, followed by “Lens” and a heart-wrenching “Sorry to Myself.” Alanis moved through these songs like a storyteller revisiting different chapters of her life, her voice shifting from a whisper to a wail as the emotions demanded. By the time she reached “Head Over Feet,” the crowd was swaying in unison, couples holding hands, friends leaning on each other’s shoulders. It was one of those moments where music collapses time.
She kept the momentum going with “Forgiven,” “You Learn,” and “Would Not Come,” each song a reminder of how her catalog spans both jagged anthems and quiet revelations. The first set closed with “Smiling,” a relatively new song that felt like a thematic bridge between the Alanis of the ’90s and the wiser, more grounded artist she is today.
Set 2: An Acoustic Interlude
After a brief break, Alanis surprised the crowd by reappearing on a small stage set up mid-audience for an intimate acoustic set. This was a genius move—it brought her physically closer to the fans and allowed her to showcase the quieter side of her songwriting.
She opened this segment with “Rest,” a haunting ballad that filled the open-air venue with an almost sacred stillness. You could hear a pin drop as she sang, her voice floating effortlessly over the delicate guitar accompaniment. Next came “Mary Jane,” one of her most underrated songs, its bittersweet lyrics striking a deep emotional chord.
The surprises kept coming with “Missing the Miracle,” a tender track that highlighted her poetic phrasing, and “Perfect,” a song that felt like a gentle balm after the stormier first set. Stripped of electric guitars and heavy percussion, these songs revealed the intricate melodies and piercing honesty at the heart of Alanis’s writing. It was a masterclass in dynamics, proving that sometimes the quietest moments can be the most powerful.
Set 3: The Electric Finale
The third set brought the full band back to the main stage for a triumphant finale. The transition from the hushed acoustic set to the explosive opening chords of “Ironic” was exhilarating. The crowd erupted, belting out every ironic twist and turn as Alanis grinned knowingly.
She kept the energy high with “Not the Doctor,” a playful yet pointed track that showcased her sly sense of humor. “Are You Still Mad” followed, performed as a segue into “All I Really Want,” where her harmonica solo drew cheers of delight. It felt like a homecoming, a return to the defiant spirit that made her a generational icon.
The surprises didn’t stop there. “Sympathetic Character,” a deep cut from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, gave longtime fans another treat, its meditative lyrics contrasting beautifully with the more aggressive numbers. Then came “You Oughta Know,” the song that started it all. Decades later, it still hits like a thunderclap. Alanis’s delivery was ferocious, her voice cracking with raw emotion as the crowd screamed the chorus back at her. It was catharsis in its purest form.
Encore: A Graceful Goodbye
After a brief exit, Alanis returned for a two-song encore that perfectly encapsulated her range. “Uninvited,” with its eerie piano intro and operatic crescendos, showcased the theatrical side of her artistry. Her voice soared over the swelling instrumentation, sending chills through the audience. She closed the night with “Thank U,” a song of gratitude and reflection that served as the perfect benediction. As she sang “thank you, India,” the crowd swayed and sang along, basking in the shared sense of release.
The Full Setlist
For those who love the details, here’s the complete setlist from this unforgettable night:
Set 1 (Electric)
Hand in My Pocket
Right Through You
Reasons I Drink
A Man (Segue)
Hands Clean
Can’t Not (Segue)
Lens
Sorry to Myself (Segue)
Head Over Feet
Forgiven (Segue)
You Learn
Would Not Come (Segue)
Smiling
Set 2 (Acoustic – Mid-Audience Stage)
Rest
Mary Jane
Missing the Miracle
Perfect
Set 3 (Electric)
Ironic
Not the Doctor
Are You Still Mad (Segue)
All I Really Want
Sympathetic Character (Segue)
You Oughta Know
Encore
Uninvited
Thank U
Alanis in 2024: Still Jagged, Still Brilliant
What struck me most about this performance was how effortlessly Alanis bridges the gap between past and present. Her voice remains a marvel—rich, expressive, and capable of both delicate nuance and primal screams. But beyond the technical prowess, it’s her emotional honesty that continues to resonate. Songs like “Reasons I Drink” and “Smiling” prove that she’s still mining the depths of human experience with the same fearless curiosity that made her a household name.
Her stage presence is equally compelling. Alanis doesn’t rely on flashy production or gimmicks. Instead, she commands the stage with a mix of humility and intensity, letting the music and her connection with the audience do the heavy lifting. Whether she was sharing a quiet acoustic moment or tearing through a full-band rocker, she exuded a sense of authenticity that felt rare and refreshing.
Final Thoughts
Leaving Bethel Woods that night, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Alanis Morissette’s music has grown with her audience. Many of us first heard these songs as teenagers, when their anger and longing felt like revelations. Hearing them now, decades later, they carry new layers of meaning—proof that great music evolves along with us.
This concert wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was a celebration of survival, growth, and the messy beauty of being human. Alanis reminded us that we don’t have to have it all figured out. We can be flawed, contradictory, and still worthy of joy. And for two and a half hours under the summer sky, she gave us all permission to feel it all.
In a summer filled with big tours and flashy productions, Alanis Morissette delivered something far more lasting: a night of music and connection that will echo in our hearts long after the lights went down.