Alternative folk artist and feminist icon Ani DiFranco will perform at The Westcott Theater on Sunday with guest artist Peter Mulvey.

DiFranco, who has performed in Syracuse several times, leads a successful 25-year-long career. Since emerging as an artist to watch in 1990, she has since released 20 studio albums and launched her own record company, Righteous Babe, in 1990.

“As an artist, I like to be out in the world, and what initially compelled me was to try to push society to a better place,” DiFranco said in a press release. “So when I’m not in heartbreak or motherhood mode, that’s where you’ll naturally find me.”

Her latest album, “Binary,” was released in 2017. The album received high praise from critics who commended her for pushing her artistry and lyrics. Similar to the rest of her music, “Binary” follows DiFranco’s life, but the album focuses more on “outward” perspectives, per the press release. During the production of her previous album, DiFranco said she was pregnant and raising an infant, so her perspective was more narrow.

“I got out of the weeds of personal space and started looking outward again, being more engaged, more big ‘P’ Political,” she said in the press release.

With more than 235,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, DiFranco has a strong following among the “feminist pantheon.” The artist has been recognized by the group for her social activism and outspoken political lyrics, per the press release.

Leading up to the 2016 presidential election, the artist campaigned for voter turnout during her “Vote Dammit!” tour, according to her website bio. During the tour, she helped fans register to vote and take action. She also took part in the Women’s March on Washington and performed at the official after-party, which was put on by The National and Sleater-Kinney to benefit Planned Parenthood.

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While “Binary” was written prior to the election, her lyrics address several issues that eventually became national topics. One of the tracks on the album, “Pacifist’s Lament,” addresses the challenges and need to teach non-violence, while “Terrifying Sight” discusses the importance of empathy. DiFranco said the feminist diatribes are front and center in the album.

“When you make a record about family and relationships, people assume you’re mommy now and you’ve lost your edge, and it’s going to be all buttercups from here on,” DiFranco said in the press release.

Advanced tickets for the performance are available online for $35. Day-of-show tickets are available online or at The Westcott for $40, with doors opening at 7 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. and is open to all ages.

Published on September 9, 2018 at 11:23 pm

Contact Lydia: lnilesst@syr.edu