For the first time in nearly a decade, Anohni will return to North American stages, backed by her iconic band, the Johnsons. Last year, Anohni and the Johnsons released the critically acclaimed album “My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross,“ which was hailed as one of the best albums of 2023 by Rolling Stone. The album’s powerful single, “Why Am I Alive Now?” featured a moving music video directed by Hunter Schafer. This tour will mark the first time Anohni has toured with the Johnsons since 2010.
In a statement regarding the tour, Anohni shared her thoughts on the times we’re living in: “It is my first time touring since 2016, and first time with a band in 14 years. I feel like I want to sing for people, to affirm that these times are unprecedented, and to hold and express a sense of what’s really happening.”
The highly anticipated tour will span several cities across North America, kicking off on September 24 in Mexico City before heading to Los Angeles, Oakland, Vancouver, Chicago, Toronto, and New York, where she will perform two nights at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn.
The return of a powerful collaboration: Anohni and the Johnsons
“My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross” was not just an artistic statement but also a political and emotional one. The album cover featured a photograph of trans activist Marsha P. Johnson, the namesake of the Johnsons band, and served as a reminder of the strength and struggles of marginalized communities.
Anohni, known for her deep activism, reflected on Sylvia Rivera, Johnson’s partner and co-founder of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, during an interview with Rolling Stone last year. Anohni spoke about Rivera’s resilience and fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the early 1970s: “She was a fighter. She had a bitter resilience and a calcified spine that we walked across. That’s like the name of the album, ‘My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross’ — like Atlas, almost.” Rivera’s determination, despite extreme hardship, serves as a metaphor for the themes Anohni explores in her work: struggle, resilience, and the weight of societal burdens.
A profound artistic and activist journey
Throughout her career, Anohni has cited various influences who have shaped her artistic and activist spirit. Among her inspirations are the legendary Butoh dancer Kazuo Ohno, avant-garde singer Grace Jones, and activist Viva Ruize. Anohni’s work, both musically and politically, has always carried a deep sense of responsibility, channeling the voices and experiences of marginalized communities into her music.
The upcoming tour promises to be more than just a series of performances—it will be an opportunity for audiences to reconnect with Anohni’s powerful presence and her unique ability to combine art with activism.
Tour dates for Anohni and the Johnsons
Here are the official tour dates for Anohni and the Johnsons’ upcoming North American tour:
- Sept. 24 – Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropólitan
- Sept. 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Sept. 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Oct. 1 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
- Oct. 5 – Vancouver, BC @ The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
- Oct. 7 – Seattle, WA @ The Paramount Theatre
- Oct. 12 – Chicago, IL @ Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
- Oct. 15 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
- Oct. 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
- Oct. 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
With her profound lyricism, unique voice, and the strength of her political convictions, Anohni’s return to the stage alongside the Johnsons is a significant moment for fans and newcomers alike. The upcoming performances promise to be a deeply resonant experience that not only celebrates Anohni’s music but also the communities and histories that continue to inspire her.
