Eternally positive world-pop star Michael Franti returns to St. Pete on Thursday

Despite lyrics full of positivity and hope, Michael Franti—who plays Jannus Live in St. Petersburg on Sept. 1—has been to hell and back in his adult life.

In 2018, the barefoot musician told CL Tampa about his mother’s stroke, and his son’s need for a kidney transplant. Thankfully, both survived each health-related adversity, and while Franti still keeps close, his latest record Follow Your Heart focuses on needing each other and not taking anything for granted.

This article appears in Aug 25-31, 2022.