Concert Review: Annie DiRusso at Antone’s
Annie DiRusso was “Back in Town” on April 13 to play her debut record in Austin, Texas.
Written by Claire Hookstra
Photos by McKenna Sefcik
Nashville-based artist Annie DiRusso released her first studio album, Super Pedestrian, on March 7, 2025. The album showcases DiRusso’s signature raw lyricism and indie-rock instrumentals in a more personal way than ever before. SPIN magazine praises DiRusso’s debut for fully embracing a “bigger, rocking sound” while sticking to her roots in songwriting that “details pain.” Last week, her headlining ‘Back in Town Tour’ stopped at Antone’s Nightclub in Austin.
The night kicked off at 8:05 p.m. with Raffaella, a New York City-based singer-songwriter powerhouse. Dressed in a fifties-esque white nightgown, Raffaella charmed the audience with a nine-song set, including two unreleased tracks. “Polly,” a single from her latest EP, LIVE, RAFF, LOVE (ACT II), made a powerful statement in support of women’s bodily autonomy, which received thunderous applause. As her band closed out the final song, “Queensland,” the singer giggled into the microphone: “I am Raffaella, you are Austin, and you are awesome!” before skipping offstage.
At 9:01 p.m., Annie DiRusso and her band walked onto the stage to Owl City’s nostalgic “Fireflies,” greeted by a packed house. DiRusso opened the show with “Ovid,” the first track from Super Pedestrian. “This song is about not giving a shit!” DiRusso exclaimed, earning excited cheers from the audience. “Legs” followed the opener, as the crowd earnestly screamed along to the vocally escalating and repetitive bridge: “I’m scared of you / You’re scared of me.”
In one of many storytimes of the night, DiRusso began to tell a story of how she had an old band that kicked her out when she was 20 years old. After around five minutes of engaged listening from the audience, scattered laughs grew louder as the crowd realized she was describing the plot of the 2003 film, “School of Rock.” The punchline served as a comedic introduction to her track “Good Ass Movie,” shaking the venue as the crowd jumped along to the upbeat track. Later, in yet another comedic interlude, DiRusso took the time to introduce each member of her band as “Annie DiRusso,” drawing pitiful laughs from guitarist Isaac Stalling, drummer Theo Munger, and bassist Anna Young.
Munger counted in the next song, “Hungry,” showcasing his intense drumming style. The drummer hit the cymbals so hard he broke a drumstick mid-song. One of DiRusso’s older songs, “9 Months,” followed, then “Leo,” a heartfelt ode. The track showcases the vulnerable side of the singer’s songwriting as she reveals her difficulties in expressing the love she has for her brother. “I’m glad you got my letter / I wish I knew how to say more,” she laments at the end of the song.
“Hybrid” and “Wet” soon rose the energy, showcasing Young’s impressive bass lines as she got rhythmic applause from the audience during a standout solo. DiRusso explained the next song, “I Am The Deer,” would bring it down a notch, as it was written about “repeatedly running herself over with a car.” Despite the slower tempo, the crowd stayed engaged, chanting along to the song's chorus, “I am the deer / I am the driver.”
A collaboration with Ruston Kelly, “Wearing Pants Again,” was written during a period of DiRusso’s life that she referred to as “party July,” where she pushed herself to be as extroverted as possible. Munger took over the role of Kelly, wowing the audience with simultaneous drumming and singing. The tour’s namesake, “Back in Town,” is typically performed while DiRusso struts on a walking board. Announcing that the band left the prop in Los Angeles, DiRusso said she was going to pretend to still walk on her treadmill. Leading a venue-wide dance party, the singer mimed springing and skipping in place during the energetic lead single off Super Pedestrian.
A diehard fan in the front row quietly pleaded to DiRusso after “Don’t Swerve” to play an older B-side. “I can’t!” DiRusso laughed while contemplating playing the track, “[The band doesn’t] know it!” After some reassurance and slight coaxing from the audience, DiRusso perfectly executed her 2022 single “Infinite Jest,” ultimately making the fan’s night and everyone else’s. The artist described the following song as that feeling of reverting to your teenage self when you return to your parents’ house, a fitting topic for a room full of mostly college-aged students. “Emerson” served as a prime example of the artist’s raw lyricism. “Guess I’ve never escaped for too long / Guess I’ve only ever been who I was / Only ever been who I was,” DiRusso crooned as the song neared an end. “Coming Soon” picked up the pace once again, the audience dancing one last time before the encore.
The last notes of “Coming Soon” boomed through the speakers as the four musicians collapsed dramatically onto the stage floor. After 30 seconds of suspense as the band lay sprawled on the floor, the audience chanted “Annie! Annie!” until the group was brought back to life for the final song, “It’s Good To Be Hot In The Summer.” Ending a night of songs that could fit perfectly in any coming-of-age movie, the track ended with the reflective message, “I’ll just let it be what it is / Yeah, I’ll just let it be what it is.”
DiRusso and her band ensured the audience spent a Saturday night in Austin well. The artist created a safe space where the audience could freely dance along to her indie-rock tracks, making the crowd feel like old friends catching up. With the ‘Back in Town Tour’ still rolling, fans left Antone’s more than satisfied — and eager to see what DiRusso does next.