Four years into the Iraq war and after fruitless searches for more information and truth, activist/musician Michael Franti’s desire to have a finger on the pulse of that torn nation led him to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Baghdad, into hospitals and homes. Traveling lightly with a small team, Franti’s guitar and a video camera served as his constant companions, the essentials for the riveting album Yell Fire! and documentary I Know I am Not Alone that would be borne out of his experiences. In one of his most upbeat and hopeful tracklists to date, Franti, together with his band Spearhead, reveals an artistic epiphany. From the people experiencing this daily terror Franti came away hopeful, reminded of music’s power to bring joy and resilience in even the most devastating times. Yell Fire! thus splices serious socio-political criticism with tunes fit for dancing. Franti began his musical journey in San Francisco as part of the industrial punk outfit the Beatnigs. He went on to fuse rock with jazz and electronica in his next project, the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, and ultimately to front the rock/world beat/hip hop group Spearhead and further explore actvism and social justice. Coming from a man who once said that “hypocrisy is the greatest luxury,” perhaps a visit to the middle east to “walk his talk” seemed only natural. Many performers wouldn’t dream of it, nor of performing in the places—including San Quentin State Prison—where Michael Franti says he most enjoys bringing his live shows. Thankfully, in Buffalo we can see him at a more familiar venue.

Friday, July 13 at 8pm (doors)/9pm. Town Ballroom (681 Main St., 852-3900,

www.townballrom.com). $22.50/advance or $25 at the door. Box office, New World Record, Terrapin Station, Tickets.com