Alanis Morissette Joins Foo Fighters For Moving Sinéad O’Connor Tribute At Fuji Rock

31 July 2023 | 12:39 pm | Ellie Robinson

They performed ‘Mandinka’ from O’Connor’s 1987 debut album, ‘The Lion And The Cobra’.

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters (Credit: Hayden Nixon)

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During their headline set at this year’s Fuji Rock festival in Japan, the Foo Fighters were joined by Alanis Morissette to pay tribute to the late, great Sinéad O’Connor.

O’Connor – who changed her legal name to Shuhada' Sadaqat in 2018 – died earlier this month at the age of 56. The cause (and exact date) of her death is currently unknown, with her family simply saying in a brief statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

In honour of her undying legacy, the Foos paused their regular setlist at Fuji Rock to perform a cover of O’Connor’s 1987 song Mandinka, welcoming Morissette out to perform the lead vocals. The song itself first appeared as the second single on O’Connor’s debut album, The Lion And The Cobra.

Have a look at the Foos’ live cover below, then revisit the original song:

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Morissette and the Foos join a growing list of artists paying tribute to O’Connor in the wake of her death; other artists to share their respects include Pink, Brandi Carlile, Tori Amos and Fall Out Boy. Morrissey has hit out at some of these tributes, though, calling them “sterile slop” and “insultingly stupid”.

Meanwhile, the Foo Fighters will tour Australia this November.