Photos by Sharon Steele – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, activist, and DIY pioneer Ani DiFranco enters 2026 with a powerful focus on introspective literature, monumental career milestones, and community-driven live performances. Decades after shaking up the music industry by founding Righteous Babe Records in 1990, the feminist icon continues to redefine independent artistry by seamlessly bridging the worlds of literature, theater, and raw acoustic music.
A major highlight of her year is the March 2026 release of her highly anticipated new book, The Spirit of Ani: Reflections on Spirituality, Feminism, Music, and Freedom, co-authored with Lauren Coyle Rosen. The deeply personal work offers fans an intimate, meditative look into her creative process, featuring previously unpublished journal entries, photographs, and original paintings. This philosophical release arrives on the heels of a celebrated five-month Broadway run as Persephone in Hadestown, underscoring DiFranco’s ever-evolving creative reach.
On the stage, DiFranco is spending the year connecting with audiences across the country on her extensive Spirit of Love tour. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of her seminal 1995 album Not a Pretty Girl—which recently received a special reissue and a cinematic remix of the classic single “Shy” with Dessa—the 2026 concerts blend nostalgic favorites with brand-new material. True to her activist roots, the tour prioritizes eco-conscious travel, showcases local opening acts, and partners with charitable initiatives like “Songs for Shelter” to support local communities.
