On some level, being Ani DiFranco must suck. The Buffalo-born singer, songwriter and guitarist is known as much, if not more, for her feminist activism as she is for the music she makes. Like peanut butter and jelly, you can’t have one without the other, but what sometimes gets overshadowed is that DiFranco is one of the best songwriters and guitar players of her generation. Amazingly prolific, she knows no stylistic limitation. She’s worked with such wide-ranging artists as Maceo Parker, Bruce Cockburn, Prince and Cyndi Lauper and released more than 20 solo albums. Add to this impressive résumé a commitment to both music and social activism that defines her career and the case could be made that DiFranco is the most socially conscious American musician since Woody Guthrie. DiFranco plays the National on Monday, May 18. Be sure to get there early to check out opener That 1 Guy. Las Vegas multi-instrumentalist Mike Silverman puts on a show you won’t soon forget. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $27.50-$30. thenationalva.com.