Ani DiFranco at Shepherds Bush Empire

Ani DiFranco at Shepherds Bush Empire

21 July, 2008
by: Chippy

Apart from the horrendously long queues and the rather dodgy seating (leg room is non existent) I actually really love the Shepherds Bush Empire as a concert venue. It has a great atmosphere, you can pretty much get a good view from anywhere and hear, even if you are up in the gods. So, what better place for me to continue my annual homage of devotion to Ani DiFranco?

Having taken the briefest of pauses from her perennial touring schedule to have a baby, Ani's return to London was nothing short of triumphant. This is definitely the best gig I have seen of hers yet. Supported by Allison Miller on drums and Todd Sickafoose ('Ani DiFranco's secret weapon' according to the New York Times) on bass the performance was extremely polished, but the feeling was that they were playing whatever songs they fancied at the time.

Opening with a live favourite 'Names and Dates and Times' (from her 1993 album 'Puddle Dive') the show was a perfect mixture of new and recent tunes; 'Paradigm', 'Hypnotised', 'Lag Time' and old favourites; 'Two Little Girls', 'Dilate' and of course 'Gravel'. Constantly cracking jokes and chatting with the audience Difranco live is an experience not to be missed.

Any die hard Ani fans who didn't make this show will be kicking themselves. As the couple behind me said at the end "That was the best one yet".

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Chippy