Michael Franti & Spearhead

with Devon Gilfillian

Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 8:00 PM at Garde Arts Center

An American rapper, musician, poet, activist, documentarian, and singer-songwriter, Michael Franti, creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock.  Franti is an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues, especially as an advocate for peace in the Middle East.

Franti believes that there is a great battle taking place in the world today between cynicism and optimism, so he made his most recent album, Stay Human Vol. II, to remind himself and anyone else who’s listening, that there is still good in the world and that it is worth fighting for. The album has seen early critical acclaim and soared to the top of the charts including, #1 Billboard Independent Album Sales, #1 iTunes Top Albums Singer/Songwriter (US and AUS).

The songs on Stay Human Vol. II was inspired by Franti’s new self-directed documentary Stay Human, which has recently won an array of awards on the film festival circuit. Stay Human features “heroic everyday people” whose stories have inspired the singer, activist, and yoga practitioner during his travels around the world. Stay Human Vol. II is the 10th LP from Michael Franti & Spearhead, featuring the group’s signature sound. It follows three consecutive albums that climbed into the top 5 on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart. He’s also charted five singles in the top 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart and had eight songs reach the top 25 on the Triple-A Chart. His hit, “Say Hey” has accumulated more than 2 million downloads worldwide. Franti also had a No. 1 hit single with his 2010 song, “The Sound of Sunshine.”

The album and film are both part of a multi-pronged effort to spread positivity through Franti’s music, Soulshine Bali hotel that he built as a home for yoga destination retreats, and Do It For The Love, a non-profit he and his wife, Sara Agah Franti, founded in 2013 to bring people living with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges and wounded veterans to live concerts. To date, Do It For The Love has granted more than 2,000 wishes with the support of more than 100 artists.