Ani Difranco at The Forum

Ani Difranco at The Forum

31 October, 2008
by: Joe Harrod

After a really crappy day at the office I'm cheered by the prospect of Ani Difranco at The Forum. My favourite right-on ex-lesbian folk rock conscious poet is back.

But 'wait a minute Joe!' I hear you cry 'you have a cock, and balls. What are you even doing there?' You're wrong, I tell you, wrong. Half the crowd here are guys. Alright, so we all started out pretending to like Ani so we could get with sensitive chicks. But it doesn't take long to realise she's a guitar goddess. And as someone with half an interest in words, I've been impressed ever since the first mix tape with her clever, ambitious and evocative lyrics. (By the way, if a chick gives you Ani on a mix tape, it means she thinks you are sensitive, open-minded and intelligent. Score!)

It is chick music though, and I'm sure Ani wouldn't contradict me on that. The Forum is packed to the rafters and there are appreciative whoops for her warm up guy, Hammell on Trial, who sings about drugs and politics and is in a generally euphoric mood. I liked him better the last time I saw him – tonight, we're a week away from a probable Obama victory but his rabble-rousing triumphalism makes me nervously hit the bar.

Without fanfare, Ani takes the stage with her tour band – Alison Miller on drums and support vocals, her 'secret weapon' Todd Sickafoose on double bass and Mike Dillon a new recruit on xylophone, timpani and an array of pedals. They kick off and put out a tremendous noise from the get go, but it's not until the vocal harmonies on third number 'Angry Anymore' that the crowd does a collective double take along the lines of god DAMN this is going to be a good show.

Difranco is a constant tourer. She's at the end of a European leg but assures us credibly we'll see her next year. Her live sound is huge, and she's comfortable and chatty on stage, even when she 'fucks up again' on the odd verse. The live experience is also a visual treat. Alison Miller gives probably the best drum-face in the business, Sickafoose looks like Neil from The Young Ones sawing away on his bass while newby Dillon delivers a couple of impressive and simultaneously hilarious flying xylophone solos.

The set has several highlights from Ani's back catalogue, notably 'Swandive' which gets a big cheer on the words 'pull out my tampon' (I told you it was chick rock), 'Fourth of July' which is a live rarity performed brilliantly and 'Half Assed'. There's trademark polemic on anti-gun anthem 'To The Teeth' and almost half a dozen brand new songs as well. We're 'guinea pigs' apparently... with Ani showing a new softer, earth mother side on a couple of tracks. These are earnest and a little bit dull and there's one eye-rolling lyrical clanger about believing in balance because she's a Virgo. On the other hand, she rolls out a charming ditty about promiscuity and monogamy that shows she's still incredibly funny and sharp, despite being a mum.

There's also a rousing New Orleans-tribute blues number, allowing Ani to show off her knock-kneed dancing style and a rousing encore including 'Both Hands' and 'Overlap' but, and this is a shocker for the fans, she skips 'Gravel' which must be deliberate since it's been her signature gig tune for a decade. It doesn't matter to me – my girlfriend never, ever skips it and I'm digging the new material.

Busting out into Kentish Town in a sea of well satisfied girls, I'm happy to be a sensitive guy. And it's not just an act. I really do love Ani Difranco.

Check out all London Theatre
Check out Things To Do in London

Joe Harrod