Chicago’s own Neal Francis has shared a live performance of his new single, “Alameda Apartments“. The single will appear on his forthcoming album, In Plain Sight, due out November 5th via ATO Records.
Filmed at Chicago’s SHIRK Studios, this live rendition of “Alameda Apartments” sees Francis performing with the help of his touring band. Members Kellen Boersma (guitar/vocals), Cole DeGenova (keys/vocals), Carlile (keys/vocals), Mike Starr (bass), and Collin O’Brien (drums) aid Francis as he sings and handles the grand piano.
“Alameda Apartments” marks the second In Plain Sight single released by Francis, following August’s “Can’t Stop The Rain” featuring Derek Trucks on slide guitar. “Alameda Apartments” matches the energy of the previous single—albeit without the blistering leads from Trucks—and that energy is even more apparent in the live version released on Thursday. Neal’s piano remains prominent throughout the song’s 4:25 runtime, outshined only by his soaring vocals that set sail atop the mix.
“I started writing ‘Alameda Apartments’ maybe six years ago, before I got sober,” said Francis in a press release. “I was going through another breakup and getting kicked out of my place, and I had a nightmare about moving into an art-deco apartment that was haunted, where the walls were all shifting around. The craziest thing is that I’d never encountered the name ‘Alameda’ at any time in my life prior to that dream. It’s bizarre that I even remembered it, especially since you don’t dream very often when you’re getting f*cked up.”
Below, check out this live rendition of “Alameda Apartments”, the latest single from Neal Francis, and scroll down for song credits and a tracklist for his forthcoming album, In Plain Sight. Additionally, pre-order or pre-save the album here.
In other Neal Francis news, the musician is currently amidst a lengthy U.S. tour opening for Black Pumas and My Morning Jacket on select dates, in addition to his headlining show. The tour extends through 2022 and includes performances at Suwannee Hulaween (10/29), Denver, CO’s Mission Ballroom (11/29), and more. Click here for tickets and scroll down for a complete list of tour dates.
Neal Francis 2021-2022 Tour Dates
OCTOBER
7 – Memphis, TN – Railgarten
8 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish Room at House of Blues New Orleans
9 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s (SOLD OUT)
15 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee *
16 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live *
20 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
21 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger
22 – Atlanta, GA – Purgatory at The Masquerade (Shaky Knees Aftershow)
23 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees â€
24 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Pour House
27 – Wilmington, DE – Bourgie Nights
28 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
29 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween â€
31 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands †(SOLD OUT)
NOVEMBER
4 – Detroit, MI – El Club
6 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club
11 – Cincinnati, OH – Ballroom at Taft Theatre
12 – Peoria, IL – Kenny’s Westside Pub
13 – Milwaukee, WI – The Back Room at Colectivo Coffee
18 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
19 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
20 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi
8 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
9 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
10 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
11 – Tyler, TX – Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue
12 – Dallas TX – The Kessler Theater
29 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom **
31 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
DECEMBER
3 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
4 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall
5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Ponyboy
JANUARY 2022
5 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
8 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
9 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
12 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
13 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
14 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
17-21 – Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky – Puerto Aventuras, MX †(SOLD OUT)
23 – London, UK – O2 Academy2 Islington
25 – Nijmegen, NL – Merleyn
26 – Groningen, NL – Vera
27 – Amsterdam, NL – Bitterzoet
28 – Hengelo, NL – Metropool
29 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg
30 – Rotterdam, NL – Bird
31 – Haldern, DE – Haldern Pop Bar
FEBRUARY 2022
1 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub
2 – Hamburg, DE – Häkken
4 – Paris, FR – New Morning
5 – Beauvais, FR – L’Ouvre Boite
6 – Leffinge, BE – De Zwerver
25 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
AUGUST 2022
26-28 – Tisbury, MA – Beach Road Weekend â€
* w/Black Pumas
** w/My Morning Jacket
†Festival Appearance
View Tour Dates
Neal Francis In Plain Sight Tracklist
1. Alameda Apartments
2. Problems
3. Can’t Stop The Rain
4. D’Artagnan
5. Prometheus
6. Sentimental Garbage
7. Asleep
8. BNYLV
9. Say Your Prayers
