Music & Concerts

Jagged little anniversary

Classic Alanis album gets deluxe treatment

Published

9 years ago

November 6, 2015

Chris Gerard

Alanis Morissette, gay news, Washington Blade

‘Jagged Little Pill’ has been re-released in a deluxe edition. (Photo by John Salisbury; courtesy Rhino)

It seems impossible to imagine that two decades have passed since Alanis Morissette made massive waves with one of the ‘90s most pivotal albums, “Jagged Little Pill.”

Potent and intensely emotional but also highly polished and commercial, “Jagged Little Pill” is one of the decade’s cultural landmarks. In celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary, Morissette has teamed with Rhino Records for a new four-CD Collector’s Edition. It includes a newly remastered version of the original album, a disc of demos and outtakes of songs that did not make the record, an entirely acoustic version of the album (which Morissette had previously released in 2005 to mark its 10th anniversary), and a CD capturing Morissette’s first live performance in the U.K. at the Subterranea in London in September 1995, just as “Jagged Little Pill” was really taking off.

Is it worth it to pay the $40 or so to pick up the collector’s edition if you already have your original CD from 1995? For most casual fans, the answer is going to be no. Yeah it’s a nice enough set and the packaging is lovely, but the most essential part of it is the album itself. While the remaster sounds nice, it’s not such a revelation that the original CD pressing should be considered obsolete. Of course, it is indeed a classic album. Morissette took to her blog recently to reflect on “Jagged Little Pill,” and she describes its meteoric impact as only she can: “There was a cultural wave swelling … a readiness, perhaps, for people to hear about the underbelly, the true experience of being a young, sensitive, and brave person in a patriarchal world… This wave was moving through culture with or without me, and I happened to grab my glittery surfboard and rode that wave like a feisty androgyne on the back of a megalodon.”

The first big hit was “You Oughta Know,” an obsessive, confrontational, angst-ridden rocker that took alternative radio by storm and then crossed over to MTV and the Top 40. It remains one of the decade’s most iconic singles, an anthem for those not content to fade away meekly after being wronged. “Right Through You” exists in the same stylistic territory, and the trippy rocker “All I Really Want” opens the album with a bang. Most of “Jagged Little Pill”, though, is engaging, well-polished pop/rock. Singles like “Ironic,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “You Learn” and “Head Over Heels” all became substantial hits, leading “Jagged Little Pill” to 13 weeks at no. 1 on the U.S. album chart and to worldwide sales in excess of 30 million copies. The album holds up very well two decades later, and it’s an enjoyable blast from the past to listen to these great songs again at full volume.

Unfortunately the three discs of bonus material are largely inessential. The collection of demos is at least somewhat interesting, but it’s clear from the beginning there is a reason why these songs did not make the album. Tracks like “Superstar Wonderful Weirdos” and “Death of Cinderella” are really just unfinished sketches, although some of them sound like they might have been quite good had they been fully fleshed out. In their current state, unfortunately, they aren’t compelling enough to inspire repeated listens.

The acoustic disc — which many fans probably already own — is rather sedate and bloodless. One of the things that makes the original “Jagged Little Pill” so great is the manic energy, and that’s missing here. Some songs work better than others. “Perfect” and “Mary Jane” are lovely, but the edgy rockers like “You Oughta Know” and “Right Through You” just sound limp. The live disc, again, will mostly appeal to hard core fans. Despite it’s status as a historic show — Morissette’s first performance in the U.K. — it doesn’t really jump out as the fierce live document that one might expect. The sound quality isn’t particularly great, and Morissette’s vocals are a bit rough at times.

Those who prefer the middle ground can get the two-CD deluxe edition which includes only the remastered main album and the CD of demos. That may be the way to go if you really feel the urge to upgrade your well-worn 20 year-old original. “Jagged Little Pill” is undoubtedly a cornerstone album that is worthy of exploration for a 20th anniversary edition. However, if you have the original CD, you can celebrate its anniversary just fine by revisiting it, preferably at as loud a volume as possible. The new 4-disc collection is a nice collector’s item for the die-hards, but casual fans will probably skip through the bonus material once and then never revisit it again, preferring instead to focus on the stellar original album, and understandably so.

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Music & Concerts

Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

Published

2 weeks ago

April 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Kylie Minogue visits D.C. on Tuesday.

Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”

Music & Concerts

Busy season for live music in D.C.

Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Cynthia Erivo plays WorldPride in D.C. on June 7. (Photo courtesy of World Pride)

One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.

In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.

MARCH

Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.

The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.

If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.

APRIL

Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.

Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.

The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.

Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.

DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”

The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.

MAY

Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.

Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.

Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.

The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.

JUNE

Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.

Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.

Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.

Music & Concerts

Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation

International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Jaylon Curry-Hagler

The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.

Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.

The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.

“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”

The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.

“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”

WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.