Neal Francis blessed the Midwest with a pair of shows in Michigan over the weekend, stopping at Elevation at the Intersection in Grand Rapids and The Shelter at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Having performed in Minneapolis and Madison, WI with support from Wyatt Waddell the weekend prior, the psychedelic R&B frontman teamed up with Smushie for his weekend run in Michigan. Armed with his first new song in two years, “Back It Up”, Francis celebrated his original catalog with two nights of fiery soul grooves culled from his three studio albums, 2019’s Changes, 2021’s In Plain Sight and 2022’s Sentimental Garbage. Among the list of songs played on both nights were fan favorites “Say Your Prayers”, “Changes, Pts. 1 & 2”, and “Can’t Stop the Rain”. Francis and his band also slipped in a tribute to Texas rockers ZZ Top with a cover of “Cheap Sunglasses”.
Check out the full setlists and click below to view a gallery of photos from Grand Rapids courtesy of photographer Steve Baran.
Neal Francis is gearing up to make his triumphant return to Thalia Hall in his hometown of Chicago, where he recorded his 2023 live album and concert film Francis Comes Alive. After selling out the original show with Liam Kazar on December 14th, he added an additional show on the 13th with support from Smushie. He will then close out 2024 with a New Year’s Eve celebration at The Independent in San Francisco featuring Planet Booty. The only other performances on his current tour schedule are festival appearances at Dead Ahead Festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest, and All Good Now Festival. For more info and tickets, head here.
Setlist: Neal Francis | Elevation | Grand Rapids, MI | 11/22/24
Set: Already Gone, How Have I Lived, What’s Left of Me, Back It Up, Need You Again, Sentimental Garbage, Say Your Prayers > Changes > She’s a Winner > I’m Bad Outro > Cheap Sunglasses (ZZ Top) > Very Fine, 150 More Times
Encore: Broken Glass, Can’t Stop the Rain
Setlist: Neal Francis | The Shelter | Detroit, MI | 11/22/24
Set: Already Gone, Problems, How Have I Lived (Reprise), What’s Left of Me, Prometheus, Back It Up, Need You Again, Say Your Prayers > Changes, Pts. 1 & 2 > She’s a Winner > I’m Bad Outro > Cheap Sunglasses (ZZ Top) > Very Fine, Sentimental Garbage, Can’t Stop the Rain
Encore: Broken Glass, 150 More Times