While pop superstars try to outdo each other in production and over-the-top theatrics on tour each year, its rare to see something audiences havent seen before.

Sunday, musician and activist Michael Franti brings the first-ever Soulshine Tour to Charlotte. And it brings Frantis backstage yoga practice to fans who can participate in an outdoor yoga class as Franti plays an acoustic set, before the actual festival-style bill starts.

The show, which takes place at Uptown Ampitheatre, features Franti and Spearhead, Soja, Brett Dennen, Trevor Hall and Sonna Rele.

Last winter, Hall joined Franti at his yoga retreat in Bali, playing a benefit for a local birthing center and school.

He was talking about doing a tour like this. In the new year he called and said, Hey were doing this tour, recalls reggae-rock/world soul-songwriter Hall, who jumped at the chance. Its his first tour since taking a lengthy sabbatical that ended with the surprise release recently of new album, Chapter of the Forest.

Hall first experienced yoga in ninth grade, when a friend who he noticed never drank or smoked at parties invited him to a class.

I remember my mom picked me up. I was like, Mom, I feel great. It was crazy. This is so cool, Hall says with a laugh. He brought his mat the first time he toured with Franti.

Trying to hang, Hall says. He would grab me before the show. Wed practice backstage and he was a great teacher. We became really close. Hes like the father. Hes been doing it for so long, touring and all that stuff.

Although hes now been practicing for 13 years, Franti wasnt sold on yoga at first.

I was like most people, especially most men. I couldnt touch my toes. I had this stereotype in my head that you had to be flexible and sit for long periods of time, says Franti, a former college athlete. I felt better immediately. My back doesnt hurt. My shoulder doesnt hurt. I just loved it. Every town Id go to Id pop in a different class. I go to Yoga One in Charlotte.

Original post:
Michael Franti brings yoga to the concert stage with the inaugural Soulshine Tour