John Legend will embark on a 50 city U.S. tour this summer in support of his latest album, “Evolver.” The trek begins June 27 in Muskegon, Mi., and caps off in Berkeley, 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” Web site will include tips and calls to action for fans with prize incentives.
Last month, Legend topped Billboard’s “Green Ten” 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 (showmecampaign.org) 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.
“Evolver” has sold 597,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
