It’s hard to believe that it has been 30 years since Michael Franti & Spearhead first came onto the scene with the 1994 single “Hole in the Bucket.” At the time, the artist and his band sonically aligned themselves with the alternative/hip hop stylings of artists like De La Soul and Arrested Development. However, Franti & Spearhead have evolved continually since then, moving into Reggae vibes with the albums Yell Fire! and All Rebel Rockers and honing their sound into Pop perfection with the hits “Sound of Sunshine” and “Say Hey (I Love You).” Today, Franti is blending all of his past influences together on his 13th studio album, Big Big Love. There are elements of Hip Hop, Reggae, Pop, R&B, warm acoustic sounds, and everything in between.
Featuring 17 tracks co-written by Franti, the main theme of the album is “togetherness” as it reflects his infectious sense of optimism and inclusiveness. The latest single, “Hands Up to the Sky,” is about making space in one’s mind and heart by letting go of heavy emotions and allowing room for the joy that follows. The song has been picking up steam at WXRV, WDST, KLRR, KRSH, WUKY and more.
“Writing ‘Hands Up’ was an important part of my healing journey, and putting together the video was cathartic,” reveals Franti. “I lost my father to COVID and after several months of grieving, I saw live music again for the first time – a Balinese band called The Munchies. At one point, I closed my eyes and put my hands up to the sky. My whole body started trembling, tears started coming down my cheeks, and I was laughing and crying and dancing and singing and shouting and just feeling everything over the previous few years rise up and out. I needed the music to help me open all the parts of my soul that were blocked due to just trying to figure out how to get through life each day. It was a reminder to me of how important music is, as it also brought that feeling of togetherness that I missed so much during the pandemic. That feeling of just being around other people watching a band play and experiencing that together.”
In that spirit, Franti & Spearhead will embark on the Togetherness Tour in 2024, bringing their epic and invigorating live shows to fans across the U.S. With 60+ dates through the summer, the Togetherness Tour will kick off at the Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 6. Other highlights include an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28, a stop at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 31, and a run of dates with Stephen Marley throughout June.
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