Alanis Morissette Invites Muna Onstage to Sing ‘Ironic’

Muna are one of the most prominent alt-rock/pop bands of the moment, and this weekend, they shared a festival lineup with Alanis Morissette, a major figure whose success helped pave the way for their own career. That might not meet the technical definition of the word “ironic,” but it was more than enough for a memorable performance of Morissette’s 1995 hit single “Ironic” with Muna on backing vocals.

“I’m going to need some help singing the beginning of ‘Ironic’ tonight,” Morissette said toward the end of her headlining set on the third night of the Pitchfork Music Festival, which brought fans to Chicago’s Union Park this weekend. Muna performed on the same stage earlier that day and gave Morissette a shout-out during their set, and sure enough, Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson came out on cue.

The “Silk Chiffon” trio — who previously remixed Morissette’s 2020 single “Ablaze” — were all smiles as they hugged the singer and took their places. “We love you so much! Alanis Morissette, everybody!” Gavin said after bowing down to her hero. “I love you,” Morissette replied.

Gavin duetted with Morissette on the song’s opening lyrics: “An old man turned 98/He won the lottery and died the next day/It’s a black fly in your Chardonnay/It’s a death-row pardon two minutes too late.”

All three members of Muna joined in on the chorus, exchanging some more heartfelt bows of respect with Morissette before leaving the stage for her to finish the song by herself. Fan responses online were unsurprisingly very positive.

Morissette was recently named to the Top 10 of Rolling Stone‘s list of the greatest Canadian musicians of all time. In her 2021 Rolling Stone Musicians on Musicians cover story with Olivia Rodrigo, she reflected on the emotional power of her songwriting. “I think love and anger and pain are energies that move worlds,” Morissette said. “They open things up, they start the currents moving again if something’s stuck. If we’re depressed or riddled with anxiety — and they usually go hand in hand — in order to move out of that a tiny bit, maybe conjuring a little anger is going to help. What I love for my music to be able to provide is just this intimacy, and it’s an invitation for our humanity.”

Morissette will resume her Triple Moon Tour with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade, which runs through Aug. 10. Muna have two more festival dates coming up on the calendar: the Newport Folk Festival on July 26, followed by the first-ever New York edition of All Things Go on Sept. 28.