Amid the electric energy and star-studded stages of Coachella, Adam Met, the bassist and one-third of the chart-topping indie-pop band AJR, is bringing something different to the table this year: civic action.
Speaking to What’s Trending at the famed California festival, Met, 33, discussed not only AJR’s music but also his growing role as an advocate for environmental and political causes. Known for hits like “Bang!,” “Weak” and “World’s Smallest Violin,” the Columbia-educated musician is using his platform to rally fans around pressing global issues — and it’s not just talk.
“I love being inside at Coachella,” Met said with a smile. “It’s amazing.”
But he’s not just here to perform or soak up the music. His appearance is part of a broader mission to fuse music and activism in a tangible way — through his organization Planet Reimagined, an advocacy group focused on climate justice, civic engagement, and systemic change.
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“I’m the ‘A’ in AJR, and we tour all over the world,” Met said. “But at the same time, I do a lot of advocacy work. Here at Coachella, I’m giving a talk and leading an event where we’re doing real advocacy together — writing postcards, learning how to volunteer, figuring out ways to get involved.”
It’s all part of a philosophy Met has been building toward for years, one he outlines in his upcoming book, “Amplify,” scheduled for release this June. The book details strategies for turning music fandom into real-world impact, something he has already put into practice on AJR’s tours.
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“Writing this book was an incredible experience,” Met said. “I did my Ph.D. a couple of years ago, and honestly, I miss it. I know most people who’ve done a Ph.D. won’t believe me, but I really loved focusing on one thing for a long time. That’s what this book allowed me to do.”
In a world increasingly dominated by short attention spans and quick takes, Met says writing Amplify gave him a rare chance to dive deep.
Backed by his academic background in international human rights law and sustainable development, Met’s activism has grown into a cornerstone of his career. On AJR’s most recent tour, he led a major initiative that encouraged fans to take civic action — with startling results.
“We had 35,000 fans take political and civic action while on tour,” Met said. “We actually moved the needle in seven different states where there were ballot initiatives. It was amazing.”
One moment that stood out occurred in Phoenix, Arizona — during a sweltering stop on tour in temperatures that soared to 109 degrees. As Met pointed out, extreme heat is not yet designated as a federal emergency by the U.S. government, meaning federal funding for mitigation and recovery remains limited.
“We had a petition at the venue calling for the federal government to designate extreme heat as an emergency,” he said. “Thousands of fans signed it, and now there’s movement on it. That kind of impact from the fanbase is what keeps me going.”
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Met says these kinds of grassroots actions demonstrate just how powerful collective fan engagement can be when pointed in the right direction.
When asked about what else is coming up this year, Met revealed an exciting lineup of events — including his first-ever book tour.
“I haven’t announced it yet, but here you go — I’m going on a book tour for Amplify,” he said. “We’ll be hitting around 10 cities in the U.S.”
The book tour will coincide with a mini AJR tour this summer. While smaller in scope than last year’s 50-date marathon, Met assured fans that this round still packs a punch — with venues like the Hollywood Bowl on the schedule.
“We’ve never played the Hollywood Bowl before,” he said. “We’re playing 12 or 13 shows, still big venues, just a bit more focused this time.”
While AJR continues to evolve musically, Met sees his parallel work in advocacy not as a side project but as a natural extension of his role as a public figure and performer. He believes that musicians hold unique power to mobilize young people and influence social change.
“Our fans are amazing,” he said. “They trust us, they listen — and they want to do more. So we give them the tools to do that. Whether it’s climate action, voting rights, or civic education, we’re showing how these movements start with community.”
Met’s appearance at Coachella stands out in a festival known for its celebrity moments and fashion statements. His mission is rooted in substance, not spectacle.
“It’s about turning moments into movements,” Met said. “And there’s no better place to start those conversations than at events like Coachella, where so many young, passionate people come together.”
As Amplify gears up for release and AJR prepares for another summer on the road, Met remains focused on bridging the gap between entertainment and impact.
“Music will always be a passion,” he said. “But advocacy — that’s a purpose.”
For more information about Adam Met’s upcoming book Amplify or tour dates, visit planetreimagined.org or follow him on social media.
