Ben Harper To Unite With The Innocent Criminals

BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS SET TO REUNITE

The globally beloved Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals return to the stage next March at The Fillmore in San Francisco, marking the band’s first announced shows since 2008

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals will reunite on stage for four concerts at San Francisco’s famed Fillmore Auditorium. The shows take place March 25, 26, 27 and 28 of 2015, and will be the legendary band’s first live performances since disbanding in 2008. The intimate Fillmore shows also mark the IC’s first visit to San Francisco since their 2008 main-stage set at the inaugural Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park. Onsale ticket information for the March Fillmore dates will be announced soon.

Said Harper of the shows, “I have always loved the Fillmore and its history. San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in the world and it felt like the right place for us to set sail.”

The Innocent Criminals — comprised of percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, keyboardist Jason Yates and guitarist Michael Ward — trace their roots back to 1993. Harper and the band toured the globe nonstop for 15 years, earning legions of fans thanks to their explosive live performances. Their fans were also fueled by Harper’s acclaimed studio output with albums such as “Fight For Your Mind,” “The Will to Live,” “Burn to Shine,” “Diamonds on the Inside” and the GRAMMY® nominated “Lifeline.” They featured such songs as “Burn One Down,” “Diamonds on the Inside,” “Steal My Kisses,” “Better Way” and “Fight Outta You.” The Innocent Criminals also backed Ben and The Blind Boys of Alabama on the two-time GRAMMY® winning collaborative album “There Will Be A Light.”

While Harper has sold millions of records throughout the world, it is on stage that he and The Innocent Criminals established themselves as one of the world’s most versatile and hard-working bands. That reputation took the band from the early days of playing the tiny Mint in Los Angeles to the world’s finest concert halls, theaters and festivals including Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Fuji Rock, Roskilde Festival and the inaugural edition of Coachella in 1999.

“The Innocent Criminals are a family,” Harper added. “We’ve remained very close over the years and it seemed like we couldn’t wait another minute. It’s time for us to get back on the stage together. We’ve all come full circle in our own ways and it is time we pick up where we left off. It’s creatively time for us to do this.”

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals have decamped to a studio in Los Angeles to rehearse and record new music. Expect to see a string of additional concert appearances in 2015 and beyond.