Robert Plant
photo via Robert Plant Facebook

Robert Plant going on 'Concerts for Refugees' tour with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, more

Jesuit Refugee Service is putting on the Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees tour this October “to raise awareness of the unprecedented worldwide refugee crisis.” The initial lineup was already impressive, with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller and The Milk Carton Kids, and now Robert Plant was added as a special guest to several of the dates. Here’s what the Led Zeppelin frontman says about the shows:

I’m taking a break from recording the new Sensational Space Shifters record to be a part of this very important and worthwhile cause. When I watch the news and see people from these places being displaced by hatred and ignorance, I know that these people are just like you and me. All they want is to live in peace and have their children grow up loved, fed and educated. That seems a million miles away for many people at the moment. They are living in refugee camps, in conditions that are far below sustenance levels. When I heard that some of my friends were rallying to do a series of concerts to help raise funds and awareness, to help address the basic needs of food, shelter and medical care, I wanted to help, in whatever way I could. One thing that I want to make clear: as with all the other members of this tour, I will be performing two or three songs a night and no more. I’m not making a political statement. The organization that is receiving these funds is a religious one. This appeal is trying to help on the ground wherever it can. I hope that my voice, along with my friends, helps bend the arc of the universe a little more toward the loving and helps with the work of getting the basic essentials of life to those who are without.

And here’s some more info on the concerts and the cause:

The concerts will be intimate evenings of acoustic performances benefiting Jesuit Refugee Service’s Global Education Initiative. The Lampedusa tour helps displaced people heal, learn, and thrive by providing educational opportunities for refugees living in camps and urban settings in 45 countries. “Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees” is named for the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, where Pope Francis visited refugees during his first official trip as Pope. The Italian island off the coast of Sicily serves as a waypoint to Europe in refugees’ search for safety and security.

The tour hits NYC on October 18 at Town Hall with Plant. Some tickets are still available.

All dates are listed, with a trailer video for the tour, below.

Emmylou Harris for Jesuit Refugee Service from Jesuit Refugee Service | USA on Vimeo.

Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees — 2016 Tour Dates
October 6, 2016 Boulder Theater, Boulder, Colorado
October 8, 2016 Helzberg Hall, Kansas City, Missouri
October 9, 2016 Rococo Theater, Lincoln, Nebraska
October 11, 2016 Sheldon Concert Hall, St. Louis, Missouri
October 12, 2016 Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin w/Robert Plant
October 13, 2016 Vic Theater, Chicago, Illinois w/Robert Plant
October 14, 2016 Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario w/Robert Plant
October 16, 2016 Berklee Performance Center, Boston, Massachusetts w/Robert Plant
October 18, 2016 Town Hall, New York City, New York w/Robert Plant
October 19, 2016 Merriam Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania w/Robert Plant
October 21, 2016 Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC w/Robert Plant

All dates with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller and The Milk Carton Kids. Select dates with Robert Plant are noted