Date:             Tuesday 10 January 2012
Location:       Union Chapel, London

Seeing Ani Difranco live is a divine experience

Playing the first of two nights at the Union Chapel in Islington seemed the perfect venue for Ani; we sat in our pews and prepared ourselves to worship the ‘Little Folksinger’ who has over the course of more than 20 albums - all released on her own record label - never stopped evolving, experimenting and testing the limits of what can be said and sung. In this day and age it is easy to take for granted the DIY approach to music but back in 1990 (when she released her first album) saying no to record deals and setting up your own record label was unheard of. 

With a back catalogue of honest and heartfelt songs spanning two decades you better believe we were all on time for church. 

It has been 4 years since her last album release, with new album ‘Which Side Are you on?’ out next week she remains as popular as ever with a dedicated fan base made up mainly of folk who came by her music by word of mouth. Something she is very proud of.  There is a mixed audience tonight, something that reveals her music has reached out far and wide.

After we had all marveled at the beauty of the building we sat in and after an entertaining set by support act Ruth Theodore, lights turned low and on walked Ani, casual and without a big entrance.  She is greeted by screams and squeals and it is hard not to stare at her, for your pulse not to quicken.  She has a presence that is magnetic and charming. There is a delicious moment where she stands, guitar round her neck, pausing briefly before she starts to play and you can feel the anticipation from the audience.

Starting with ‘Little Plastic Castle’, the crowd cheers with delight and Ani smiles through the opening line.  Knowing how to please a crowd she follows with two more old songs – in fact whenever Ani dips into her own back catalogue she receives the biggest cheers.

Hard to believe some of these songs are now 15 years old, Dilate for example still sounds fresh, although Ani may be older, more relaxed, her music appears timeless and still relevant. 

She talks of how her songs are about ‘connections’ and the rapport between her and her audience the last few times she’s played in the UK seems stronger.  She pauses between most songs, asking how we have been and generally chatting; whether that be about ‘occupiers’ of Trafalgar Square, feeling hopeful for 2012 or of her home back in New Orleans she seems to connect with us. 

Happier these days, the years have aged her with wisdom, and she’s here tonight to impart her insights on to us. On song “Unworry” she sings “I’ve become more peaceful, no more fighting” and it’s clear she feels content with her home life, and on new track “Albacore” she sings of a love that took so long to find giving her hope and pride.

Make no mistake though Ani Difranco is still passionately political, socially and environmentally the artist she always has been, and this live show’s reflective theme seems to be about drawing our attention to what’s wrong with the world still; mirroring the new album’s content.  Yes, she’s happier but still frustrated and is seeking ‘balance’ for the world around her.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, activist, poet, feminist icon – she shows off all of these sides tonight.   Nine songs in she lays down her guitar and picks up some notes, saying she spent the previous day doing Yoga and writing a “spiritual poem”. It always feels like a privilege whenever Ani shares something ‘new’, that’s what’s so great about seeing her live  - you’re never quite sure what kind of show it’s going to be, what you’re going to hear.

One of the show’s highlights comes when Ani asks for “suggestions, comments, requests” and after she is greeted with a barrage of song requests, someone shouts ‘overlap’.  After thinking about it, she asks the audience member who requested it if he can play guitar and that she’ll do it if he can play the chorus parts. 

This results in a member from the audience – Declan - joining her on stage.  This gets a huge reaction, with the chorus parts met with whoops and clapping.

After this Ani proclaims "it’s all downhill from here", but of course there was still plenty to come including a cover of Woody Guthrie’s ‘Do Re Me’, more songs from the new album, even one that didn’t make it on the album because it may have been ‘too happy’ and ending with ‘Which side are you on?’ (made popular by Pete Seeger who also plays on the track on the new album). When the audience appears reluctant to sing Ani prompts us with “I know you can sing better than that” and manages (just about!) to get a response as the song comes to it’s final chorus.

After a long standing ovation – and foot stamping that seemed to test the foundations of the Chapel – Ani reappeared to do two more oldies, an energetic ‘Gravel’ followed by ’32 Flavors’ the latter sounding almost hymn-like as Ani stopped playing guitar and we all sang.  It felt very ethereal, as though we had all come to church for an evening service.  It was a beautiful way to end the show.

I went along with a friend not overly familiar with Ani’s material; they were transfixed throughout the entire show and came away intent on collecting all of the albums and booking a ticket the next time she tours.  In a way I feel this was the best way to gauge the performance; if a newcomer to Ani can be won over and inspired in this way then it must have been good.

She remains as mesmerizing a performer as ever, inspiring, truly charismatic and seems more grateful than ever for our ears.

As Ani says:

“Just listen, drop your idea of who is singing and what you already know they're saying, and go somewhere else, open yourself up to a new story.”

Review by Caz

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