By Jaden Paige Brulotte
“Which side are you on now, which side are you on?”
These lyrics, adapted from an old labor song and tweaked into commentary on the current U.S. cultural climate, aptly closed an incredible show by Ani Difranco and Melissa Ferrick in Concord, N.H. last weekend.
Both of these ‘girls with guitars’ have built a reputation for delivering their political opinions, angst and often even rage at the state of all kinds of affairs through the vehicle of musical talent.
With Occupy movement protests in progress all over the country, Difranco spent the quieter moments of the Sunday, Nov. 13 performance making passionate arguments for the many issues currently on her agenda: the environmental restoration of the Gulf habitat (she has lived in New Orleans for eight years) and her disappointment in President Barack Obama, among others.
Difranco, who began playing covers in local bars at age 9 and launched her own record label at 19, has released 16 studio albums in 20 years. She came to the Capitol Center on a tour that wraps up in New York this weekend in advance of the 2012 release of “Which Side Are You On?” Her performance featured cuts from the new CD, as well as new and classic takes on favorite hits.
In addition to her music — and as fans have come to expect — Difranco used the evening as a platform for activism. Flyers featuring the names of legislators and talking points for the Restore Act were distributed in hallways. Audience members were asked to grab them and make calls in support of the bill to provide funding for the cleanup of the BP oil spill. She recalled choking on the burning oil while sitting on her front porch in the months following the spill.
Whatever her topic, when Ani spoke, fans listened and cheered. When she laughed, the crowd laughed with her. That’s one of Difranco’s incredible strengths; her ability to connect with fans and use her music to further her beliefs and to push the envelope. The result is twofold: She remains “real” to her vastly loyal fans, and her music remains interesting as her causes, and the artist, evolve.
Massachusetts native Ferrick’s set was fast-paced, energetic, and emotional, a highlight delivered when she picked up her trumpet for a few numbers.
The crowd stormed the floor below the stage as Difranco performed her last solo song; then remained there, fists pumping, during the encore, “Which Side Are You On?,” by both performers.
At the end of the night, emotions had ranged from humility to gratefulness, anger to optimism, and beyond. And that’s what anyone looking for tickets to a Difranco show always can expect.
If you haven’t seen this righteous babe play yet, here’s one more thing to add to the bucket list.
