Hunter Hayes Announces 21 Tour

Hunter Hayes fans have something to look forward to this fall: The singer-songwriter has announced his 21 Tour.

Appropriately, Hayes' 2015 fall tour will include 21 dates, including events on college campuses across the United States. By teaming up with Spotify, Hayes has been able to use the music streaming service's data to identify the markets containing a large number of his fans, and he used that information to help select his tour stops. In each market, Hayes will also reward fans with pre-sale ticket access, early entry to the shows, meet and greets, signed memorabilia and more -- again, based on Spotify's data.

“We’ve had such a great time touring this summer, and I can’t wait to get back out there this fall and see our fans in a close-up setting,” Hayes says in a press release. “We’re going to make it all about the music, with every night holding something unique only to that show.

"I've found myself in this really unique space while creating new music, where there's something really exciting about stripping it all back down and looking these fans in the eyes while playing,” he continues. “Whether it's playing some of our hits differently or seeing where the new music takes us while on stage, I just really want to take some time to connect on that level before releasing a full album next year."

Hayes debuted his newest single, "21," in late May; its accompanying music video was released in late June. In its lyrics, the 23-year-old encourages listeners to "party like we just turned 21″ because, as he sings later, “ain’t nobody has to act their age.”

“It’s about the spirit of a feeling, of freedom …” Hayes says of the tune. ”It’s all about that feeling of excitement and anticipation of whatever’s next, and just happiness. It’s a celebration, it’s a celebration of life, and it’s really fun to sing live, too!”

Hayes is currently on tour with Lady Antebellum and Sam Hunt, on Lady A’s Wheels Up 2015 Tour. His newest album, Storyline, was released last year, and he's currently working on a new album.

“When I’m in the studio, I’m very cautious about it because if there’s one thing that can destroy music being made, it’s any sort of agenda, expectation and/or schedule or any of that,” Hayes tells The Boot. “Every time I’ve gone in to create music and felt free and felt like I was actually creating something, it’s turned out something I’m really proud of, so I try to keep that as a tradition.”

The first of Hayes' 21 Tour stops are listed below. More details, including additional dates and venues, will be announced in the coming weeks. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ryan Lafferty will be Hayes' opening act at most of the shows, while Kelsea Ballerini will appear as a special guest at a Nov. 5 show in Bowling Green, Ky.

Hunter Hayes, 21 Tour Dates:

Oct. 22 -- Cullowhee, N.C. @ Western Carolina University *
Oct. 23 -- Kent, Ohio @ Kent State University *
Oct. 24 -- Highland Falls, N.Y. @ West Point Eisenhower Hall Theater *
Oct. 29 -- West Lafayette, Ind. @ Purdue University *
Nov. 5 -- Bowling Green, Ky. @ Western Kentucky University **
Nov. 14 -- Norman, Okla. @ University of Oklahoma *
Nov. 19 -- Winston-Salem, N.C. @ Wake Forest University *

* With Ryan Lafferty
** With special guest Kelsea Ballerini

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