Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals will return to New Zealand early next year for a five-date tour.

The renowned American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and his band, will play Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth on Friday, February 21; Electric Avenue Festival in Christchurch on Saturday, February 22; Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland on Thursday, February 27; Church Road in Napier on Friday, February 28 and Mount Park in Tauranga on Saturday, February 29.

Presented by Neptune Entertainment, The Rock and More fm, tickets go on sale from 8am on September 18 from www.neptuneentertainment.co.nz

Support acts for this tour will be announced soon.

'A three-time Grammy Award winner and seven-time nominee, Harper is without question one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of our generation,” say event oganisers.

'The Californian-born artist has traversed a myriad of musical landscapes in the three decades that he's been making music, from blues, rock and reggae; to soul, funk and folk. He's released 14 studio albums, including BURN TO SHINE (1999); DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE (2003) THERE WILL BE LIGHT (2004); CHILDHOOD HOME (2014); and most recently in 2018, NO MERCY IN THIS LAND with blues legend Charlie Musselwhite.”

Harper's trusty band The Innocent Criminals have been with him for much of the journey. Tracing their roots back to 1993, The Innocent Criminals (percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson and drummer Oliver Charles) have been involved in most of Harper's projects. The band has toured the globe nonstop, earning legions of fans thanks to explosive live performances.

'Don't miss one of the world's best live acts, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals, in a town/city near you.”

Tour dates

SUPPORT ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth - Friday, February 21
Electric Avenue Festival in Christchurch - Saturday, February 22

Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland - Thursday, February 27

Church Road in Napier - Friday, February 28

Mount Park in Tauranga - Saturday, February 29

SunLive has a double pass to giveaway to the Mount Maunganui show.

Simply enter the competition on the SunLive page.

Entries must be received by September 26.