Neal Francis — an artist known for blending vintage rock, soul and R&B with a modern twist — performed at Proud Larry’s on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Francis made his Oxford debut with his performance at the 2024 Double Decker Arts Festival. Despite only being in town for a brief time, Francis feels a deep connection to Oxford with its rich blues culture.
“I started playing the blues when I was six … and Chicago has a rich history of blues music. Once a lot of Mississippi blues guys came up north, the music became electrified,” Francis said.
Francis, influenced by his father’s extensive record collection of ‘60s and ‘70s music, draws on rock, soul, jazz and R&B. Describing his sound as “groovy,” Francis acknowledged the nostalgic quality to his music but also emphasized his inspiration as autobiographical.
“I’m just trying to make recordings that I would like to listen to,” Francis said. “Usually I’m looking backward in time rather than at more contemporary artists.”
His big break was the release of his 2019 debut album “Changes,” which displayed soulful melodies and infectious grooves. His sophomore album, “In Plain Sight,” was recorded in a church that closed down during the pandemic of 2021. Channeling the energy of the eerie and atmospheric space, Francis created an album full of resilience and personal upheaval.
Francis’s latest release, “Francis Comes Alive,” features various songs that he has been playing live.
“All my friends got together and tried to see how big I could think in terms of the concept and in terms of the aesthetic and the film element, the way we recorded the show to tape and really high level,” Francis said.
He has a new album set for release in October 2024.
“I’m moving towards a more dance-informed, sort of a disco sound on one side, and on the other side, more rock,” Francis said.
Bryson Mischlich, a sophomore marketing major, has been a fan of Francis since his 2024 Double Decker performance.
“I had no idea who Neal Francis was at all, and then he started playing; and I was like wait, this is actually really fun music,” Mischlich said.
Francis’s piano style and stage presence left a lasting impression on Mischlich.
“His whole presence is more old fashioned than what we’re used to nowadays. … But when he walks out with obviously bell bottom pants and a dagger tooth collar and button shirt and plays piano with the long hair. … It’s the kind of stuff we don’t see nowadays, and I love that about him,” Mischlich said.
Proud Larry’s has long been known for hosting intimate yet high-energy shows. Its cozy atmosphere allows for artists to connect with their audiences in a way that larger venues can not.
“Shows like this are really fun because we’re so close to the audience. The more people are having a good time, the more we’re having a good time. It’s a symbiotic thing,” Francis said.
For Thomas Turner, a sophomore business major, the magic of the concert lies in the venue.
“I go to these shows at Proud Larry’s, and they just kind of jam on, and it lets me just be free to twirl and dance, and that’s kind of what I’m excited about,” Turner said. “I like dancing a lot.”
With the momentum of a packed tour behind him, Francis is eager to bring that energy to Oxford.
“It was just amazing, being so close to them. Being such a small venue, we were able to literally talk to their drummer and their guitar player throughout the whole concert,” Mischlich said, “I felt engulfed in the music.”
