Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

John Legend Plans Eco-Friendly Summer Tour

by Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.  |   April 24, 2009 10:56 EDT
John Legend will embark on major U.S. tour this summer in support of his latest album, "Evolver." The trek, which will hit over 50 cities, begins June 27th in Muskegon, Mi., and caps off in Berkely, Calif., on Labor Day. India.arie is scheduled to open select shows.

Backed by 11-piece band, Legend will make stops at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Mann Music Center in Philadelphia and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.

Legend will team up with non-profit environmental organization REVERB to go "green" on the tour. Their efforts will include coordination with venues and local caterers to ensure and facilitate the use of green products and practices, along with neutralizing CO2 emissions from venue energy use, hotels, flights and touring vehicles. The tour's "carbon footprint" was calculated by REVERB and neutralized by financially supporting the construction of new
renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Eco-friendly merchandise will be available for fans and a John Legend on-line ride-sharing service will encourage and assist carpooling to shows.

A John Legend "greening" website will include tips and calls to action for fans with prize incentives.

Last month, Legend topped Billboard's Green 10 list for his increased efforts on behalf of various environmental causes. 

In January, he performed at the Green Inaugural Ball, a celebration of the Obama administration's pledge to build a sustainable energy economy that was executive-produced by Live Earth founder Kevin Wall. His 2-year-old Show Me Campaign is dedicated to improving life for the residents of poverty-stricken Mbola, Tanzania, with clean water and higher-yielding agriculture. Last year Legend teamed with professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University's Earth Institute for a speaking tour to promote sustainable development in Mbola and other impoverished areas.

Besides being named No. 1 on the Billboard Green 10, Legend is earning other accolades in response to his efforts: Last June, he received the CARE Humanitarian Award for Global Change in Washington, D.C.

"Evolver" has sold 597,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Up for Discussion

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.