Okay I'm really struggling with whether or not I should buy tickets to an upcoming concert of hers. I like a lot of her older music and have never seen her live before, but it seems like she doesn't put on much of a good show.

Maybe I've been spoiled by other great concerts (Prince, Lenny, etc) but when I watch YouTube clips of Alanis in concert or read her reviews, it's basically the same thing:

Visually - nothing to look at, no videos or stage props or enhanced/innovative lighting

Crowd interaction - virtually none, talks to the audience only briefly

Stage presence - does nothing more than constantly walk forward, then backward, then forward, then backward etc

Voice - lots of complaints about her voice not being that strong and the instruments drowning her out. The crowd often sings parts of songs while she just walks and listens.

Length of show - approx 90 minutes, about 60-90 minutes shorter than what I am accustomed.

Opening act - her husband MC Souleye

So what say everyone - yeah or nay?

[Edited 10/13/12 8:23am]

Just go. It might be brilliant.

Bands/artists don't have to talk to the audience after every song, or have pyrotechnics and stage props to be amazing live.

One of my fav live bands are a UK group called Spiritualized. Their singer, says nothing until the very end of the show when he manages a couple of thank you's, they stand stock still for the entire gig, and have pretty basic lights save for a couple of strobes pulsing away, and guess what? They are fucking incredible! I have attended hundreds of shows over the years (yes hundreds) and Spiritualized are still one of the best live experiences I have had.

Dont base your decisions on a couple of youtube vids. Go to the gig, and have a ball (probably), if it's shit, then you will know not to go see her again.

A couple of years ago she was in my city and I had the chance to go but I turned it down in the end. Afterwards the reviews weren't positive. I love Jagged Little Pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie but I guess she doesn't have that plus that would make me see her live.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Just go. It might be brilliant.

Bands/artists don't have to talk to the audience after every song, or have pyrotechnics and stage props to be amazing live.

One of my fav live bands are a UK group called Spiritualized. Their singer, says nothing until the very end of the show when he manages a couple of thank you's, they stand stock still for the entire gig, and have pretty basic lights save for a couple of strobes pulsing away, and guess what? They are fucking incredible! I have attended hundreds of shows over the years (yes hundreds) and Spiritualized are still one of the best live experiences I have had.

Dont base your decisions on a couple of youtube vids. Go to the gig, and have a ball (probably), if it's shit, then you will know not to go see her again.

You're right. Really my biggest concern is her voice and the passion/energy she puts into her performance. If it seems like she's just going through the motions, the audience can sense it. She could sit on a chair and not move the entire time, it would be fine with me as long as I can close my eyes and know that's Alanis I'm hearing singing.

Pokeno4Money said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Just go. It might be brilliant.

Bands/artists don't have to talk to the audience after every song, or have pyrotechnics and stage props to be amazing live.

One of my fav live bands are a UK group called Spiritualized. Their singer, says nothing until the very end of the show when he manages a couple of thank you's, they stand stock still for the entire gig, and have pretty basic lights save for a couple of strobes pulsing away, and guess what? They are fucking incredible! I have attended hundreds of shows over the years (yes hundreds) and Spiritualized are still one of the best live experiences I have had.

Dont base your decisions on a couple of youtube vids. Go to the gig, and have a ball (probably), if it's shit, then you will know not to go see her again.

You're right. Really my biggest concern is her voice and the passion/energy she puts into her performance. If it seems like she's just going through the motions, the audience can sense it. She could sit on a chair and not move the entire time, it would be fine with me as long as I can close my eyes and know that's Alanis I'm hearing singing.

Thats fair enough.

Pokeno4Money said:

Visually - nothing to look at, no videos or stage props or enhanced/innovative lighting

Crowd interaction - virtually none, talks to the audience only briefly

Stage presence - does nothing more than constantly walk forward, then backward, then forward, then backward etc

I saw her once in 1996 and this above is exactly what I recall as well.

It was still great to hear her sing those songs live. She's a singer! She's not a dancer, or a comedienne. Her songs are pretty intense. I don't think that puts her in a mood to chit chat with an audience of people that know her but are strangers to her.

I do not remember her being drown out. I don't remember her taking large breaks while the audience sang her shit.

I don't even remember who the opening act was because I didn't care, she's the one everyone will be there to listen to. I guess that's the difference. We have been spoiled by big musical-like productions and lip synching and choreography, but when it comes down to it you will be there for the voice or instrument. Good luck not being spoiled by Prince shows either, that talented bastid.

She also does not have pyrotechnics on stage.

Pokeno4Money said:

You're right. Really my biggest concern is her voice and the passion/energy she puts into her performance. If it seems like she's just going through the motions, the audience can sense it. She could sit on a chair and not move the entire time, it would be fine with me as long as I can close my eyes and know that's Alanis I'm hearing singing.

I haven't seen her since she was 22 years old, but I think people are just not used to stripped down shows. A band, a voice, the hits.

They want screens, fire shooting them in their faces, bubble guns, sparkly confetti bursting from the ceiling, the vocal track from the album while someone dances, and some stand-up comedy with more costume changes than a fashion runway.

NAY

I saw her live earlier this year and it was a great show. The band was tight and Alanis was singing her heart out. I say go!

Pokeno4Money said:

Length of show - approx 90 minutes, about 60-90 minutes shorter than what I am accustomed.

You are accustomed to 2.5 - 3 hour-long gigs? You are spoiled.

I saw her semi-unplugged tour of the "Jagged Little Pill" album about five years ago. I was so hyped to see her live but I have to say, it was one of the worst concerts I've ever been to.

If you think you're in too good of a mood, and you'd like someone to depress the hell out of you, go see Alanis.

But if you value happiness and smiling, stay away.

My two cents.

I saw her live several times many years ago, because my ex was a fan of her. She was okay live, nothing ground-breaking, but not bad either. I enjoyed the shows I went to.

sexton said:

Pokeno4Money said:

Length of show - approx 90 minutes, about 60-90 minutes shorter than what I am accustomed.

You are accustomed to 2.5 - 3 hour-long gigs? You are spoiled.

sexton said:

Pokeno4Money said:

Length of show - approx 90 minutes, about 60-90 minutes shorter than what I am accustomed.

You are accustomed to 2.5 - 3 hour-long gigs? You are spoiled.

Yes I am when it comes to concerts, I fully admit it. I go to only about 4 or 5 a year, but they've been well worth the money. One show I went to last November, the main act started at 11:30 PM and went nonstop until 2:30 AM. I think 2 hours minimum should be a requirement.

I am used to one hour to 90 minute sets and waiting hours to catch them.

Pokeno4Money said:

I think 2 hours minimum should be a requirement.

You mean 2 hours wait minimum for them to hit the stage?

you should go and support Alanis.
it has obvious problems with the sale of tickets.

Alanis Morissette Chevrolet Hall
Recife, Brazil
Sept. 12, 2012
$126,302
2,151/11,506
1/0
$172.87, $54.33
T4F-Time For Fun

Alanis Morissette Goiania Arena
Goiania, Brazil
Sept. 16, 2012
$174,896
2,000/12,138
1/0
$158.77, $119.08
T4F-Time For Fun

it's a little frustrating me
she's a good artist.

When I saw her on the Jagged Little TOUR, I remember the concert wasn't much more than an hour long because she was only performing the Jagged Little Pill album. There was nothing newer yet and she wasn't doing her early 90s stuff (does she ever?).

She has had loads of hits since then and just released a new album.

[Edited 10/14/12 16:45pm]

I saw her in 1999 and she was really quite boring. That said it was 13 years ago so she may have improved AND I had actually gone to see her support act that had more or less blown her out of the water that night (the support act was Garbage) so make of that what you like.