Anohni’s performance at the Barbican in London has been described as a masterful reinvention of her songbook, delivering an out-of-body experience for audiences. The show, titled Wilderness, features the artist accompanied by a virtuosic band and powered by her operatic voice, drawing comparisons to Nina Simone in her interpretive depth.
The concert opened with the song “You Are My Enemy,” where Anohni declared, “I never felt a part of this world. I reject the way that we live.” This line encapsulates the central themes of exile and alienation that permeate the career-spanning setlist, which includes both original compositions and cover versions.
The answer to these themes, as explained by a distorted prerecorded monologue during the performance, lies in the power of creativity to remake the world and the self. This philosophical underpinning reflects Anohni’s long-held belief, formed over her quarter-century career since emerging from the New York art scene, that communication through art holds existential importance.
Throughout her career, Anohni has been blessed by influential figures such as William Basinski and Lou Reed and she has maintained an unwavering intensity in her work that sets her apart from many contemporaries. Critics have noted that this intensity makes most singers appear as if they are merely having a laugh in comparison.
The Wilderness show is characterized by its rigorous presentation. Anohni performs with Gaël Rakotondrabe on grand piano, Chris Vatalaro on percussion, and Leo Abrahams on guitar and bass. The band plays before a film of swans gliding through the night, which occasionally changes color but remains largely consistent in imagery.
Despite the visual accompaniment, critics observed that even swans would not want to watch swans for the full 90-minute duration, suggesting that the true focus of the performance is Anohni herself. Her appearance—featuring a peroxide-white mane and a floor-length black robe—evokes the image of a cleric or sorcerer, adding to the show’s transcendent atmosphere.
During performances, Anohni barely speaks, and when she sings, she stands nearly motionless except for the trembling of her hands at her sides. This physical stillness contrasts with the immense emotional and vocal power she channels, creating the sense that her entire body becomes a vessel for her extraordinary operatic voice and the lyrics it carries.
The Barbican performance in April 2026 marked a return for Anohni following her critically acclaimed tour, Mourning the Great Barrier Reef. She has previously performed at iconic venues including the Sydney Opera House and Glastonbury Festival, where her show was praised by MOJO as “one of the most extraordinary performances Worthy Farm has ever witnessed.”
The Wilderness concert at the Barbican was produced in association with Serious and featured no support act or interval. Stage times were approximate and subject to change, with content warnings for haze and strobe lighting. The show carried an age guidance of 5+, with attendees under 14 required to be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over.
Anohni’s work continues to be defined by its eco-feminist perspective and boundary-shifting nature across experimental, electronic, and soul music genres. Her exploration of themes such as courage, spirit, and humanity’s connection to the natural world remains central to her artistic identity.
For readers seeking further information about Anohni’s upcoming projects or verified details about her past performances, official channels such as the Barbican’s website and her authorized representatives provide the most reliable updates.
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