Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie [ tickets ] recently launched her first solo tour, for which she has joined forces with Verizon to connect with fans via wireless technology.

No paper tickets will be sold for the Fergie Verizon VIP Tour. Instead, as fans make their way through the turnstiles, they will flash picture-message tickets sent directly to their cell phones. The picture-tickets can be obtained by downloading certain Fergie content, attending select Verizon Wireless store events, purchasing a Motorola handset, attending certain events at Kohl's department stores or through radio promotions. Further details are available at Fergie's website.

The tour, which kicked off May 8 in Seattle, resumes May 21 in Pittsburgh, PA, and makes its way to the West Coast, with a July 24 finale scheduled in Portland, OR. In addition to the Verizon-sponsored shows, Fergie has lined up traditionally ticketed shows in Boca Raton, FL; Stateline, NV; and Las Vegas. Details are included below.

"It is such a thrill to kick off my first solo tour, but to be able to do it my way and incorporate the technology used by my fans is what is really exciting," Fergie said in a statement. "Everyone uses their mobile phone to stay in touch so why shouldn't artists stay connected to fans the same way?"

In addition to paperless tickets, fans can use their cell phones to enter fashion shows on the tour, and watch Fergie-TV on Verizon Wireless' V Cast video-on-demand service. Green screens at every tour stop will give fans a chance to appear in a music video with Fergie and create personal video messages that can be sent to their mobile phones. One green-screen winner at each show will get to join Fergie on stage. Following performances, guests will receive a "thank you" text message from Fergie.

Concertgoers will also get VIP treatment, including a "red-carpet" entrance complete with "paparazzi" to greet them as they arrive, according to a press release.

Fergie continues to support her platinum-selling solo debut, "The Dutchess," which has spawned three consecutive hit singles--"London Bridge," "Fergalicious" and "Glamorous"--since its September release. Her latest single, "Big Girls Don't Cry," is streaming at her MySpace page.

The singer has made it clear that she considers her solo work a side project, and will continue to record and tour with the Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas.