Ani DiFranco & Wryn
College Street Music Hall
New Haven
April 26, 2025
Some might say there’s been an unprecedented use of the word “unprecedented” in the past few years, but on Saturday night Ani DiFranco brought her “Unprecedented Sh!t” tour to College Street Music Hall and no one was complaining. In fact, the sold-out show became a celebration of sorts, where the much-revered singer/songwriter/author married the old and the new in a way that inspired hopefulness for the future.
The tour name is also the name of DiFranco’s latest album, her 23rd to date, which was released in May 2024 and includes a song of that same name as well as an array of her trademark hard-hitting yet highly relatable songs that suit the time and tide. The New Haven stop was the last of the tour until June. Never one to hold back both energetically and emotionally, the night featured songs from that record that roused the crowd as well as a rocking roll down memory lane that got her faithful fans up on their feet, shaking the floor and lifting their voices to rattle the rafters of the venue.
Among DiFranco’s seemingly endless list of artistic endeavors is the establishment of her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, back in 1990. On this leg of her tour, the opening act, Wryn, is one of that label’s artists. Wryn shared a wealth of songs from their debut album Shapes, released by the label this past March.
“Hey, I’m Wryn, and I get to play songs for you tonight,” they said with a smile as they entered the stage solo with their guitar, quickly capturing the bustling and boisterous audience with their arresting lyrics and haunting vocals for the opening song “Steady,” which included the lyrics “where do I begin, where do I start, I’m ready, ready.”
The crowd was ready too, responding with a rousing applause and cheers. Wryn expressed their own joy and gratitude.
“Not only do I get to open for someone like Ani DiFranco, but I also released my first album on Righteous Babe Records,” they said to even more applause before offering “Shapes,” the title track from that record.
“Open me up, open the flood,” Wryn sang. “I’ve split myself in two for too long.”
The nine-song set offered those of us who were unfamiliar with their work as much encouragement of outward joy as personal and relatable introspection. For example, they explained before performing “Slow Down” how the song was about finding the moments that are “fleeting,” like a smile or a cup of tea, and then added that although this show was on a much bigger scale than that, they would “hold on to it” as one of those moments as well.
After a stripped-down cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” Wryn took a moment to speak about trans rights.
“Remember to protect all of your trans family, friends, neighbors, and strangers,” they said to a thunderous applause before performing the song Pushing with inspiring lyrics such as “you are who you are and nothing’s gonna change you” and ending with “if I could, I would change the world for you.”
The entire set felt as if I was getting to know one of my new favorite singer songwriters, eliciting that magic spark ignited when the music and the lyrics connect in such a way that comes together even more so with the stories told in between. Wryn was fearless in the sharing of their own experiences and made an indelible connection with the crowd. I have a feeling that they may be on their way to a career not unlike DiFranco’s where dedicated fans flock to see and hear their fave while also knowing that they too are being seen and heard.
And speaking of indelible connections, DiFranco and her fans are a prime example of exactly that. She and her three-piece band got a standing ovation simply by walking on to the stage. I am also pretty sure some of those fans did not sit down again for the rest of the show, which lasted nearly two hours.
“I’m a pixie. I’m a paper doll. I’m a cartoon. I’m a chipper-cheerful free-for-all and I light up a room.”
Those lyrics from 1998’s “Pixie” got the crowd singing along, roaring and revved up for an evening that would find them in that very same position again and again, singing along to their favorites, raising their hands in the air, swaying to the music, and holding their friends and loved ones close. Make no mistake, whether crowd members were keyed in to DiFranco’s newer releases, many of which addressed current events and the state of the world — such as the title track of the latest record and other selections from it, like “Baby Roe” (yes, that baby Roe) and “New Bible” with its pointed lyrics (“I think we should have a new Bible, one that only has two words. I think we should have a new Bible, that just says Mother Earth, and I think men should stand down, when women give birth”) or the multitude of older favorites, every moment of this show felt communal and even comforting.
“I feel hopeful,” DiFranco said towards the end of the set. “Anyone feel hopeful, too?” The loud cheers were a most positive response.
“I feel there’s something seismic happening,” she added.
I had seen DiFranco perform at this venue a few years ago, and while I definitively remember the crowd being wild for her and the performance being one that stuck with me, this night was decidedly different. There was an electricity not so much in the air but seemingly connecting the attendees to not only DiFranco but to each other. The word “vibe” can be overused by some (I will wholeheartedly admit to that myself), but this show seemed to be the very definition of the word. It was the place to face your fears and even your anger and at the same time experience the bracing strength and beautiful support of being in a room with so many people who felt what you were feeling. DiFranco excels lyrically and musically in grabbing you by the hand, guiding you along, raising your first to the air, and yes, even making you dance.
I would be remiss to not mention her band’s killer rhythm section and the steel pedal guitar that added just the right amount of pulse and twang to each tune. And while the new record added a generous amount of soon to be singalongs, it was her older favorites that really got the place popping. Songs like “Shameless,” “As Is,” and “Gravel” may be almost 30 years old but felt as hot and fresh as ever in DiFranco’s hands as she led a chorus of fans singing along to every word. After 16 songs we were blessed with a three-song encore, though I think people (including this reporter) would have stayed for another 16 if she had obliged.
“Thank you for a beautiful end to the tour,” she said, though she will be back out again playing through Europe in June and then back in the States after that. The beauty remained as fans left arm in arm smiling, singing, and chatting about their favorite moments. Apparently, a storm had been raging outside during the show, but as the hall emptied out on to College Street we were all treated to dry skies, clear air, and much more emboldened hearts and minds.
