REVIEW: Annie DiRusso Opens for Samia in Chicago
OPENING ACTS DESERVE MORE LOVE - They should be the reason you get to a show early, and never the excuse for arriving late. Those who choose to skip them miss out on some truly great acts, like Nashville and New York-based indie rock artist Annie DiRusso.
DiRusso, who has steadily built her following through regular live performances and social media via TikTok over the past few years, nearly stole the show outright during her appearance in support of Samia at Chicago’s Thalia Hall this past Sunday. Though her set had to be shortened last minute to account for local curfews, it was still a masterclass in blending energetic performances with sincere songwriting.
Thalia Hall was no match for the band’s explosive intro, which demanded the room’s immediate attention through an expertly controlled musical chaos. The wild introduction was quickly wrangled, and blended nicely into DiRusso’s 2019 single “Dead Dogs.” The track starts out quiet but quickly evolves into a heavy rocker marked by sweeping guitar lines.
DiRusso and company are unmistakable in their oversized black shirts, which are adorned white flowers, starfish and other tropical designs. Annie’s green eye liner glows under the blue hued stage lights. She and guitarist Daniel Nunnelee run circles around each other during the wilder moments of songs like “Don’t Swerve” and “20.” Drummer Josef Kuhn lays into his kit with an eye-catching flair, while bassist Benjamin Sheridan stoically navigates his gargantuan six string bass. The end result is a wholly unique synergy that’s hard to find anywhere else.
"I can't believe how many of you knew that,” said DiRusso in a quiet moment between songs. Nearly every word she says elicits a cheer from every corner of Thalia Hall. Though she’s on stage physically, DiRusso is never above the audience. Honesty and connection with the crowd is always the focus.
"Next we're gonna play a song about a Beatles poster on my wall,” she says.
The song is called “Judgements From the World’s Greatest” band, and it’s an easy highlight of the set. Another standout was “Infinite Jest,” an unreleased song at the time of writing. It’s a moody ballad about a relationship that’s far past its expiration date, and one of the prime examples of DiRusso’s expressive songwriting.
DiRusso ended her set with a bombastic rendition of “Coming Soon.” The crowd erupted when, in an anxiety-inducing twist, Nunnelee and Sheridan began playing their instruments behind their backs as DiRusso sang through the song’s home stretch. Whereas most bands would hang on to a song’s final moments, this version of “Coming Soon,” ends abruptly in a flash of white light, as if someone decided to change the channel.
In the interim before Samia’s set, a line of fans gathered in front of DiRusso’s merch table in search of DiRusso gear, photo ops, or simply a hug. Annie would return to the stage to sing “Is There Something in the Movies?” She says Samia has been nothing but supportive during the tour.
“I’ve just felt so incredibly happy and in disbelief,” said DiRusso afterward. “This tour has been so full of love and I can’t believe we get to do this.”
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weekly tunes playlist has been updated! new tracks from @furtradeband, @pecqband, @garryfool & more! check it out! https://t.co/ToFU0R6YGo -
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RT @rlyblonde: @AnnieDirusso for @LunaCollective shot by me #35mm #portra800 https://t.co/0UUJSCBGcH
