John Legend will perform the “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour” in 2025

The EGOT-winning singer-songwriter and pianist will revisit the album that catapulted him to stardom with St. Louis audiences on November 17.

John Legend

John Legend knows firsthand how sweet the passage of time can be.

“I’ve grown a lot in so many different ways,” Legend says. “Over the last 20 years, I’ve released quite a few albums, and I have my four kids now and my life is certainly different. It’s been quite a journey.”

Indeed, it was also 20 years ago when the now multi-platinum, 13-time Grammy Award-winner released his acclaimed debut album, Get Lifted. He’s now both celebrating and revisiting the album on his current Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour. 

“I was obviously in a much different place personally and career-wise 20 years ago, but I really was inspired to make an impact in the music industry right from the start,” says the acclaimed pianist and singer/songwriter. “I mean, I had dreamt of making music since I was a kid.”

But never did Legend make such a professional catapult than in 2004 when he released Get Lifted, which included career-defining songs such as “Used to Love U,” “Number One,” and “Ordinary People,” which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 48th Annual Grammys.

“My dreams really started to come true when I was able to release Get Lifted,” Legend says. “And of course, to have the impact that it had was amazing. Get Lifted really started a relationship with my fans that lasted over 20 years now, and now we get to revisit what sparked that relationship.”

Certainly, his relationship with St. Louis has always been a special one.

“I really remember some of those early shows in clubs and small theaters in St. Louis,” Legend says. “I really feel like the Midwest, especially early on with Get Lifted, was really supportive of that album. And so, I’m excited that we have a good strong focus on some great Midwestern cities for this tour.”

But when Legend steps upon the stage at The Factory on November 17, he admits that this will be a far different show than the one he played with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra back in 2024.

“The last time I came to St. Louis, I was doing A Night of Songs and Stories, where it was a lot of storytelling and much more of an autobiographical show,” Legend says. “With this show, we will tell some stories as well, but it’ll be more focused on the music. It will just really be me connecting with my full band and with the audience.”

And while the 14 songs that made up Get Lifted continue to work their magic on Legend’s enormous legion of fans, it’s these songs that also continue to touch Legend himself.

“I feel like this anniversary has given me a chance to really reflect on that really important time in my life and in my career, and to celebrate it,” he says. “It gives me a chance to also express my gratitude—gratitude just for the opportunity to live out my dreams and do it in front of the entire world.”

Photo by Cam Bowling
Photo by Cam Bowling

John Legend on the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour.
Legend says that perhaps what he has loved most about this current tour has been the chance to shine a spotlight on some of the songs on Get Lifted that didn’t get the attention they deserved until now.

“I have really loved digging back into the album,” Legend says. “Once you’re this deep into your career, you don’t really get to play every song from your debut album. So, it’s been fun being able to really focus on Get Lifted again and play every song from the album and take the audience and myself back to that time.”

Legend also sees the tour as a chance to let his kids hear and witness him playing some of the songs he created long before they were part of his life.

“They come with me some of the time on tour, and now that we are here, it’s easy for the kids and Chrissy to fly in and out and join me for a few days at a time,” says Legend of his current string of U.S. shows. “But the St. Louis show is during their school year, so they probably won’t be able to be there.”

And yes, he admits to missing the life he leaves at home while out on tour.

“We laugh a lot at home,” Legend says. “It’s just full-on every day. Each of the kids brings with them a different personality and energy to the house. It is a really joyful time.”