Global Initiative
The Fray to play free, intimate Emo's East concert on March 10 as part of Global Citizen Nights kickoff
Amidst the hubbub of SXSW, there's another free concert happening at a revered local club — and this one doesn't require a wristband, badge or day-long wait in line. The Global Citizen Nights initiative, a series created by The Global Poverty Project, kicks off on Monday, March 10 at Emo's East, featuring an all-star lineup set for an intimate night of music.
The event, which Global Citizen Nights calls "a rally in reverse," is a unique chance to engage concert-goers with global poverty issues and then bring together a like-minded community whose collective goal is the bettering of humanity. The Fray, Allen Stone and Saints of Valory will come together to play Austin in the name of ending extreme poverty in the U.S. and abroad. "It’s almost unimaginable how many people live in extreme poverty today," said Isaac Slad of The Fray. "We hope the Global Citizen Nights concerts will help bring attention to this important issue — it's critical."
The free night of music does come at a cost, but it's one that globally minded Austinites can easily get behind. To try your hand at winning tickets, log onto the event website, where you will be asked to complete online "actions" related to four issues that contribute to extreme poverty. Tasks include signing an online petition to end polio and asking Congress to support clean water initiatives. For every 10 points earned, fans can enter for a chance to win tickets to Monday's event.