Joan Jett and Alanis Morissette perform at Merriweather, showcasing feminist power | MUSIC REVIEW
Last weekend in Columbia, famous rocker and former Marylander Joan Jett performed two sold-out nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion alongside Gen X icon Alanis Morissette, a prime example of female empowerment.
Seven-time Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter Morissette took the stage on Sunday, her back to a rising full moon. Wearing a broad smile, Morissette walked across the stage while singing, “What it all comes down to, is that everyone’s gonna be fine, fine, fine,” from her hit song “One Hand in My Pocket” from the album “Jagged Little Pill.” Her long hair was flying.
Before Morissette took the stage, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts got the crowd on its feet, singing along to their hits “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” “Crimson and Clover” (her 1981 cover) and “Bad Reputation.”
Jett started the show with a raucous rendition of her 1976 hit “Cherry Bomb,” an anthem released by The Runaways about the taunting power of a young girl. Jett was a guitarist, main songwriter and, eventually, lead singer of the pioneering group in the late ’70s before forming the Blackhearts, and re-recording the hit in 1984.
Jett, 65, was born in Pennsylvania, but told the Merriweather audience that she considers Maryland her home, after spending about six years living with her family in the area now known as North Bethesda. An ardent Orioles fan, she threw the first pitch at their game against the Rangers on June 28 at Camden Yards and led the crowd in an “Oh” chant during her set.
“I was here from like 8 to 13, very formative years,” she said before her family moved to California, where she helped form The Runaways.
Jett plays more than just her hits from decades past. She is recording with the Blackhearts; they released “Mindsets” in June of last year. “I made mistakes I can’t erase I don’t deny, I made my own rules they don’t teach in schools, And that’s what I live by, come on, call me, call me, call me if you’re blue,” she said to the enthusiastic audience as she performed many well-received songs from the album, including its lead hit, “If You’re Blue.” since I’ll always be available to you.
Arriving on stage at approximately 9:15 p.m., Morissette played for approximately ninety minutes, radiating enthusiasm as her strong vocals reverberated throughout the pavilion.
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