Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has confirmed that he’s joining Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, The Milk Carton Kids, and more on the Lampedusa Concert for Refugees tour. The acoustic shows will benefit the Jesuit Refugee Service’s Global Education Initiative, which aims to help “displaced people heal, learn, and thrive by providing educational opportunities for refugees living in camps and urban settings in 45 countries.”
Plant is breaking off from recording new material with his Sensational Space Shifters band in order to join select dates (October 12 through October 21) because he wants to help raise funds and awareness to “address the basic needs of food, shelter and medical care.” Just like all other members of the tour he will performing two to three songs a night. Plant released a statement via Facebook to clarify his purpose for joining the tour, which he doesn’t view as a political statement.
“All they [refugees] 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, however this is a totally secular mission. This appeal is trying to help on the ground wherever it can.”
Learn more about the Lampedusa Concert for Refugees tour in the video below.
