MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Award-winning American singer and songwriter John Legend has taken the stage in Bahrain, performing to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 people despite calls by some activists to cancel the concert due to concerns over human rights abuses in the Gulf Arab nation. The concert Monday night was guarded by several anti-riot police vehicles outside the entrance to the historic open-air Arad Fort in Bahrain's capital. Several prominent Bahraini activists took to Twitter ahead of the concert to urge Legend boycott the annual Spring of Culture festival, organized by the government. Legend, who has spoken out in support of freedom of expression and issues of civil rights in the United States, said in a statement that he believes showing up and participating in the conversation can also drive progress.Read more on NewsOK.com