Ben Harper Announces ‘Call It What It Is’ Tour

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals will keep the good times going into 2016. After reuniting with his backing band earlier this year for their first tour together in seven years, Harper announced a spring excursion today and the release date for a brand new album.

Photo: John Davisson
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Manchester, Tenn.

Call It What It Is is due out April 8 via Stax Records. Harper’s most recent LP with the Innocent Criminals was 2007’s Lifeline.

The new release is described as “an incisive, bold, poetic statement that could only come from these long-time band mates and close collaborators, one of popular music’s most essential, cohesive and dynamic ensembles.”

The Innocent Criminals is made up of percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, keyboardist Jason Yates and guitarist Michael Ward.

The tour launches in New Zealand Feb. 24. Following a trip to Australia, Harper & Co. kick off the North America portion of the outing in early April.

Check out the routing below:

Feb. 24 – Wellington, New Zealand, TSB Bank Arena        
Feb. 26 – Auckland, New Zealand, Vector Arena
April 27 – Taradale, New Zealand, Mission Estate Winery  
April 29 – Christchurch, New Zealand, Horncastle Arena    
March 2 – Sydney, Australia, Sydney Opera House
March 5 – Brisbane, Australia, Brisbane Riverstage
March 8 – Perth, Australia, Kings Park & Botanic Garden   
March 11 – Hindmarsh, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
March 12 – Melbourne, Australia, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
April 2 – Port Chester, N.Y., The Capitol Theatre    
April 3 – Washington, D.C., 9:30 Club
April 4 – Washington, D.C., 9:30 Club         
April 7 – New York, N.Y., Beacon Theatre  
April 9 – Boston, Mass., House Of Blues Boston     
April 10 – Philadelphia, Pa., The Fillmore Philadelphia        
April 12 – Montreal, Quebec, Metropolis      
April 13 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall     
April 15 – Royal Oak, Mich., Royal Oak Music Theatre      
April 16 – Chicago, Ill., Riviera Theatre        
April 17 – Cleveland, Ohio, House Of Blues
April 19 – Chattanooga, Tenn., Tivoli Theatre          
April 20 – Knoxville, Tenn., Tennessee Theatre        
April 22 – Nashville, Tenn., Ryman Auditorium       
April 23 – Asheville, N.C., The Orange Peel

A presale for the North America dates begins Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. local time. Sign up for the mailing list to get the password. The general public onsale starts Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. local time.  All North American tickets come with a copy of the Call It What It Is.

No password is required for the New Zealand/Australia presale, which starts Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. local.

Visit BenHarper.com for more information.

Tags