Ani DiFranco at Moore Theater
The Moore Theater was abuzz with excitement as devoted fans gathered for a special evening with the legendary Ani DiFranco, who was in Seattle promoting her 23rd album, Unprecedented Sh!t. From the beginning of her career, DiFranco has been known for paving her own way as an artist and her autonomy in the industry. She founded her own label, Righteous Babe Records, at just 19 and has built it the way she wanted creating space for other artists. Last year she made her Broadway debut in Hadestown earning rave reviews.
The stage at the Moore was set simply, with a few carpets giving it a cozy, living room feel. Joy Clark opened the night, and she was met with warm gazes and many new fans. Clark has just released her debut album, Tell it to the Wind, and has been gaining a lot of momentum. It was great to hear some of her tunes and to see the audience’s reactions to the sound. Track “Guest,” and “Lesson,” are a great start to get familiar with this talented singer.
It was time for DiFranco to take the floor and first her three touring members took their spots on the stage. She soon followed to grab her guitar and settle in starting the set with “Still My Heart,” as excited fans stood up and cheered on. DiFranco is a natural charmer and every time she stops between songs to chat with her fans, she’s even more lovable. She has a very natural way of engaging and makes it seem so easy to be captivating. Her smile is extremely contagious.
DiFranco plays a mix of new songs along with classics making the night a very pleasant endeavor. She’s playfully making jokes and keeps everyone smiling when the music isn’t playing. The room is completely enamored with Ani, and we can see just why she’s such a long-standing gem in the industry. DiFranco played “Spinning Room,” and “Sit It Out,” solo as the room listened attentively.
The main set ended with powerful tracks and thunderous chants with “Napoleon,” Hypnotized,” and “Shameless,” as people were standing up everywhere trying to get closer to the stage. It’s always so great to see the room standing up and people making their way to the front creating their own pit not worried about the seats in the way. DiFranco is playing with so much unquestionable pathos the audience has no choice but to join in with her.
The band returned for their encore with massive hit, “32 Flavors,” and “Overlap,” and noticed that Ani wanted to play more. As she smiled on looking at her band, she played two tracks that were not a part of their setlist, continuing the ecstatic feeling of the show. Fans got to hear “Joyful Girl,” and “Gravel,” ending the night on a high note with her roaring guitar suddenly stopping and the audience exploding in cheer. What a performance, what an artist, what an audience.
