In light of the Soundside Music Festival taking place this weekend in Bridgeport, Connecticut, let’s take a look back at the unforgettable performances at the Sound on Sound Music Festival in 2023.

One of the most memorable sets from those two nights was when Alanis Morissette, a 90s icon, took the stage after a montage of her career highlights played across the screens for everyone to see. 

Excitement buzzed across the field as show-goers eagerly awaited the performance from a star they grew up listening to. Morissette’s music has ingrained itself into their childhoods or teenage years. Reminding them of  the same heartbreak and struggles that she has openly poured into her songs, allowing people to resonate deeply with her lyrics. 

Morissette entered the music scene in 1991 with her album Alanis which quickly went platinum. What truly established her as a household name was her project Jagged Little Pill. A record that truly was not afraid to put on display the emotional grit that Morissette has lived through and felt deeply. 

The record would go on to win the artist five Grammys including Album of The Year for 1996. As a project, clearly it still resonates with people today as it was later turned into a live action play in 2020. Allowing  for new generations to resonate with the same struggles that still happen to people every day across time. 

When she opened her set with “All I Really Want,” an emotionally charged track about the frustration of feeling distant from a loved one, the crowd’s energy was palpable. The emotional intensity continued with hits like “Hand in My Pocket,” “Ironic,” and “You Oughta Know.” As the set progressed, Morissette appeared more comfortable on stage, creating an electric atmosphere with her mezzo-soprano rasp. 

Her stage presence reflected the experience of a seasoned performer who knows how to put on an unforgettable show. The energy between her and the band, especially the drummer, was electric. 

Gone was the young girl who had begun her career, replaced by a woman reflecting on the  pain that catapulted her to stardom. Many in the crowd could feel their own old wounds reopen, matching the version of themselves who had first connected with her music. However, it’s clear that the artist has also been able to grow with her audience as her later music discusses her experiences with motherhood and how her life was truly able to evolve even while under the spotlight. 

As Morissette’s setlist came to a close with the song “Thank U” the night felt charged with catharsis as the lyrics, “Thank you, clarity. Thank you, thank you, silence. Yeah, yeah” rang out. After thanking the crowd with that track and leaving them with a night that they will not forget the artist let the silence that she thanked fill the air. 

Alanis Morissette’s musical evolution, paired with her stage presence, truly speaks to why she has been able to resonate with so many people and create such a beautiful career. The singer hared the stage with other incredible artists that weekend including the likes of Hozier, John Mayer, Lord Huron and more. 

Sound on sound was able to provide an amazing lineup for the people of Connecticut while also having a beachy and warm atmosphere. 

To see more about the festival last year you can check out more coverage right on our site, which featured artists like Bleachers, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jack White, and Greta Van Fleet.