What a voice. What a performer. Alanis Morissette lit up Blackweir Fields for the second show of Cardiff’s new open-air concert series Blackweir — and it’s safe to say this one’s going to stay with us for a long time.
The night began with rising North Walian star Megan Wyn, whose sun-drenched pop set was the perfect start to the evening. Backed by a tight live band, she looked right at home on stage and delivered a short but confident set in the early evening glow.
Next came Welsh favourite Gwenno, a familiar face from the likes of Green Man, but a real joy to see on home turf. Singing in both Welsh and English, her electronic -pop felt intimate and expansive at the same time, with the crowd hanging on every word and songs about Cats and Ai. It was a brilliant nod to local talent — and felt like a thoughtful move to have two strong female artists opening the show.
Then came Liz Phair, looking cool as ever at 58, guitar in hand, as the sun dipped low behind the stage. With her signature brand of US pop-rock, she powered through a set that served as a reminder of how influential she’s been over the years. Each support act played for around an hour — a perfect balance that gave us a real sense of variety without dragging the night out.
As the field filled up and the sky shifted from gold to deep blue, it was finally time. Alanis took the stage to a montage of her life and career — a reminder of just how much ground she’s covered. For many in the crowd, Jagged Little Pill was the soundtrack to their youth, and from the first line of Hand In My Pocket, the energy across the field shifted.
Fresh from Glastonbury, we already knew she was on form — but this was something else. Alanis didn’t just perform, she moved, striding up and down the stage, belting out note after note with pitch-perfect power. Her vocals were raw, soulful and effortless, pulling back from the mic to hit those powerful notes, then soaring over the crowd the next, using the whole of the stage walking tirelessly up and down the stage in her performance and at one point going into a spin for a minute before gracefully falling to the floor.
The set included Mary Jane, Ironic, and a huge rendition of You Oughta Know that was arguably the night’s biggest moment. She returned for a two-song encore Uninvited and the fitting closer Thank U. But in truth, it’s Cardiff who should be thanking her.
A truly iconic performance in a venue that’s already proving it can deliver special nights. Alanis Morissette reminded us exactly why she’s still one of the most compelling voices in music — and gave the city a night to remember.
