Ani DiFranco Announces One-Night-Only Royal Albert Hall Concert with Anaïs Mitchell

Ciarán Donnelly — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:44:01 +0000

Acclaimed folk artist Ani DiFranco has announced an exclusive one-off London performance at the Royal Albert Hall on June 11, 2025. This marks her only UK show of the year and will see her joined by fellow American singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the creator of the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 11, 2024, via BookingsDirect.com.

DiFranco, a trailblazer in the independent music scene, is renowned for both her music and activism. Her genre-bleding work fuses elements of punk, folk, jazz, and electronica, while displaying a DIY ethos. DiFranco founded her label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990, about which she told BandWagon, “I realized a label wasn’t something that aligned with my purpose. A label meant moulding my image to fit someone else’s definition of my music. F*** all of that”. Over her three-decade career, DiFranco has released 23 albums, collaborated with artists as varied as R&B saxophonist Maceo Parker and folk legend Utah Phillips, and carved out a space for politically conscious, genre-defying music.

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Her 2025 show comes on the back of Unprecedented Sh!t, DiFranco’s 23rd studio album, which landed in May to critical acclaim. The album garnered notable attention for its bold sonic experimentation, largely thanks to producer BJ Burton’s innovative contributions. As HotPress noted, the album reflects DiFranco’s signature willingness to explore diverse sounds, blending elements like electro-inspired backdrops with her soulful vocals and thoughtful lyrics. The title track itself has been described as a “manifesto” in which DiFranco addresses concerns about the socio-political climate in the U.S. Burton’s avant-garde production adds an unexpected and fresh dimension to DiFranco’s style.

Stereoboard highlighted tracks like “You Forgot to Speak,” where DiFranco’s layered vocals and Burton’s rich production showcase a mesmerizing blend of folk and experimental sounds. The review praised the use of backward samples and unusual textures that give the album a distinctively avant-garde feel while maintaining DiFranco’s strong lyricism and message-driven songwriting.

Joining DiFranco as the evening’s special guest is Anaïs Mitchell, a folk singer-songwriter who has emerged as one of the most vital voices in contemporary music theatre. Mitchell’s critically acclaimed musical Hadestown became a sensation on Broadway, earning her a Tony Award for Best Original Score and a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. A retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hadestown was acclaimed for bringing folk, jazz, and blues to the fore to tell its politically charged story. DiFranco’s recent Broadway stint playing Persephone in Hadestown further strengthens the bond between the two artists, making this upcoming performance an exciting reunion for fans of both.

While Mitchell is perhaps best known for Hadestown, her roots lie in the folk tradition. She has released several solo albums that have drawn comparisons to the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Her work, including the widely praised Young Man in America and The Brightness, explores deeply personal themes with a sharp eye for the political landscape.

Tickets will be available from October 11, with a presale beginning on October 10.

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Ani DiFranco Announces One-Night-Only Royal Albert Hall Concert with Anaïs Mitchell