‘Bitchcraft’ is on its way to Greensboro

Sunlight streams through the doors of the Carolina Theatre, illuminating a giant pencil and spiral notebook that’s set on the stage. A violin and piano wait in the wings to take their part as the fans line up outside. On the way is the performer who’s ready to share their inventive new album featuring what they call “feminist rock,” Bitchcraft.

On Friday, Bitch, a queer music icon and activist, will play at the venue, infusing the space with their witchy poet pop, which focuses on storytelling that utilizes themes of queer identiy and feminism.

First gaining popularity through their part in the music duo Bitch and Animal, the musician broke off and went solo in the mid-2000s. In February, Bitch released Bitchcraft, their ninth studio album.

“I’m excited for people to see me experiment with new material and find empowerment in the electric-driven poet pop,” said Bitch in an interview. “I’ve crafted my performance around violin and an autobiographical play about my past experiences to go along with my song.”

The show in Greensboro is one of Bitch’s first stops on the southern music tour, which will also include Richmond, Asheville, Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville and Charleston where they will be joined by fellow queer folk rocker Ani DiFranco.

The paramount themes and inspiration for Bitch’s new album comes from their activism in LGBTQ+ and women’s rights. Bitch, who chose their stage name as a way to reclaim the insult against women, has remained a staunch advocate for social justice and uses their music as a way to help spread their message.

“I believe in the rights of people to identify as who they are,” Bitch said. “And they need to be celebrated for it. Most issues of social justice I feel very strongly about, and I want to make space for them on stage. I particularly feel agitated about the abortion issue with the new not-so-Supreme Court.”

One of the songs that will be performed from their new album, “You’re the man, too,” deals directly with toxic masculinity culture.

“The song is about toxic bro dudes and how we live in a masculine society,” Bitch said. “You never hear the phrase ‘You’re the woman,’ and that has underlying sexism, which this song makes a statement on. I would say it is definitely a feminist anthem.”

In another song, “Pages,” Bitch shares their personal story of enduring a breakup. It conveys the message of overcoming grief through the use of synthy violin and upbeat drums. In “Easy Target” Bitch drives the point of inclusion home through lyrics that talk about overcoming bullying and the importance of representation for being who you are.

“‘Easy Target’ is about anyone who has been made to feel like an outcast,” Bitch said. “But fighting against that bullying by knowing who they are and feeling good about it anyway.”

Bitch performs at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro this Friday at 8 p.m. Find out more and get tickets at carolinatheatre.com.