Alanis Morrisette – Massey Hall, Toronto

Oct 8 2008

Alanis Morrisette – Massey Hall, Toronto

Jagged Little Pill was a fantasic album.  Most people have heard of it and know it as the album tht put Alanis Morrisette on the music map.  I listened to that cd over and over again.  I can still sing most of the songs by heart.  When I heard that she was coming to perform at the historic Massey Hall in Toronto I had to get tickets.

I’ve seen many many concerts and hadn’t had the oppourtunity until now to see anything at Massey Hall.  It was a beautiful place.  Unfortunately we were sitting stage left and up in the highest balcony on tiny splinter ready wooden chairs, but it was still a nice place.  I couldn’t help but day dream while I sat there waiting for the opening act and listening to Fiona Apple on the speaker system.  I tried to imagine what it would have looked like in the early 1900s when it cost only $1.50 to see Louis Armstrong live.  I imagined people out in their sunday best with little hanging candles to light the walk ways between the seat.  It made me appeaciate that such a histoic building was still functioning as a music/concert hall.  So what if the seats were extremely uncomfortable and the view wasn’t the best.  It was worth it.

On a side note, after telling my mother about the concert she informed me that she had once performed at Massey Hall in her school band.  I think it’s pretty cool that I got to see a show that meant so much to me at a place that has some history with my family.

The opening act was extremely boring, he tired to play cute with the crowd and his music was so mellow that every song sounded like a lullaby an literlly put Crys to sleep.

Alanis was great.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more from her.  She opened her set with the amazingly powerful song “Uninvited” from the City of Angels soundtrack.  It’s easiy one of my favourites.

She was a little strange to watch and her stage presence got a little repetitive and boring, but she sounded great.  She played many songs from her album Jagged Little Pill as well as songs from her new album and ended with that not so desired song “Thank You” from her india album days.  She had two encores and halfway through her first set the band dismantled their equipment and setup to play a semi-acoustic set.  It was great.

My only complaint is the staff at Massey Hall.  I’ve been to many many concerts and I couldn’t believe how rude the staff was and how rediculous they were being about photography/filming.  There were clerly signs posted saying “No Flash with your photography” but it didn’t say no video.  Anyways, I think that the staff ruined the almost perfect concert experience for many of the people in attenance by yelling at them to stop taking photos or videos and threatening to kick us out.  Ahh well, when will venues and artists realize that we live in a digital age and that they will probably get more press and recognition for being a band/artist or venue that allow photography etc.  I mean most peoples cell phones take bette video and photography than my little point and shoot camera.  But that is a rant for another day.

Overall Alanis was great.  If you were a fan of Jagged Little Pill then I suggest that you try to see her live.  She doesn’t dissapoint.

-Bonnie :)