Globalisation, the death penalty, racism, the Iraq war, AIDS - list a few of Michael Franti's lyrical subjects and it's clear that he's a man with a

conscience - but you might not expect his shows to be a barrel of laughs.

Thankfully, however, after nearly two decades fighting social and political injustice through song, Franti has worked out how to combine his serious messages with uplifting music, to create a revolutionary dance party.

"I'm a big fan of The Clash," he explains. "I love the way they made protest music fun." Far from softening the message, he sees this as the way "to make the revolution irresistible".

Franti first came to public attention in the late Eighties as a member of the Beatnigs, where his powerful social commentary became evident on such tracks as the original version of Television, The Drug Of The Nation.

He went on to form the Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy, a ground-breaking rap act which achieved mainstream exposure when they joined U2 on their enormous Zoo TV tour.

Yet it wasn't until his third incarnation, Spearhead, that Franti really seemed to find his voice - fusing his lyrics with a musical style that was celebratory rather han angry, his passion remained undimmed.

Combining rap, soul, reggae, funk and jazz, and citing both Woody Guthrie and Biggie Smalls as influences, Franti achieved the highest profile of his career. Lines such as: "We can bomb the world to pieces but we can't bomb it into peace" have become widely-quoted soundbites.

"I guess our music could be called conscious soul music," Franti says. "A lot of people have said things through soul music - Stevie Wonder, Sly, Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations..."

Backing up his words with actions, Franti last year travelled to warzones in Iraq, Palestine and Israel making a film entitled I Know I'm Not Alone, which was screened at the Slamdance independent film festival.

The trip is also thought to have inspired a new album of songs, which Franti has assembled a studio dream team to record: Legendary reggae duo Sly and Robbie, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and Beastie Boys collaborator Mario Caldato Jr. In the meantime, Franti has released Love Kamikaze:

The Lost Sex Singles, a collection of unreleased sessions and remixes. The title might suggest that Franti has moved in a new (and probably ill-advised) romantic direction, but he insists: "The songs on the album are not all about love and sex lyrically. Some mixes were chosen because of the sensuality of the rhythm and heaviness of the bass."

This show offers a chance to get your hands on a copy of the record, which isn't available in the shops, as well as catch Franti's famously uplifting and inspiring live show - which looks to be as relevant as ever.

Starts 8pm, tickets cost £13.50. Call 01273 673311.