Neal Francis warms up a frigid Boston with BMH show

By Harry Bates

Soon-to-be music legend Neal Francis (he/him) played a spectrum of colors with his band on Thursday night at Brighton Music Hall in Allston. With the aroma of Pilsners wafting throughout the beloved music venue, the House was packed with an audience of varying ages. I knew I was in for a show when I scored these tickets back in December, but I had no clue how impactful this February night would be.

Emily Wolfe (she/her) opened the evening with an eclectic guitar set consisting of her music from Outlier (2021). She serenaded the audience with notes from a double-necked guitar, dazing listeners by the end of her performance with a natural talent for shredding chords.

A crowded room cheered and whistled upon Francis and Band’s arrival on stage, just as colored lights gave inkling as to what the mood for the evening would be. All of a sudden – before I was mentally prepared to witness what would become the best concert of my life – the opening funk of “How Have I Lived” begins, and I start wondering how am I living right now?

I discovered Francis’ music from his set during Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival’s “Virtual ROO-ALITY” live stream in September 2020, and I’ve been hooked to the vibration ever since. The Artist arranges a bouquet of sound in his music, utilizing holy chords and psychedelic groove to create pieces that speak directly with the heart. Accompanied by the eye-watering talents of Kellen Boersma on guitar, Mike Starr on bass, and Collin O’Brien on drums, Francis assembled a team fit for shaking the stone foundation of Brighton Music Hall.

His set was mainly dominated by songs off of his new, sophomore album In Plain Sight (2021), but the Band was also sure to add a few crowd favorites from Changes (2019) as well as Plastic Ono Band and Eddie Hazel song covers. To be frank: My mind was blown with the opening of every song. It was honestly insane to hear this music that I’ve jammed so much with in private to be performed right in front of me – it’s a night that I’ll never forget. 

Photo by Harry Bates

Francis and Band’s covering of “Prometheus,” an original song dedicated to the story of the tortured Greek mythic, sounded just as fabled musically as the story itself. The song erupts with this guitar pull by Boersm that makes the knees weak, while Francis connects with the keys in front of him to create this light, mystical breeze of piano sound. O’Brien’s drum and Starr’s bass playing, meanwhile, leads the ensemble into a musical high. This sound keeps rising and rising until an abrupt pause in which Francis takes back control and reverts his piano playing to the opening tune. It’s one of the most transitory sounds I’ve ever experienced in my life.

One thing made apparent from this show is that these people just love to jam out, and it made the experience as a listener feel so genuine. With each stretched chord, organ rift, and punched drum; the stage was full of grinning performers who were truly having a good time playing their work. A love for music was present on Thursday night by both audience and players, giving this show a vibrant authenticity most often found in basement jam sessions. It’s this palpable love for music and emotion that is drawing crowds towards the Chicago artist’s music.

“Alameda Apartments” stole the show for me. It’s a song that carries this idea of feeling lost in one’s own skin and identity. It’s like viewing yourself from the third-person perspective, unable to grab the controls of your own life and watching as others dictate your future. This haunted story is reflected through the talents of the entire band, with Francis’ keys and O’Brien’s drums setting the stage for the song. Francis leads with a piano solo that is completely out of this world, accompanied by his beautiful lyrics that connect with the soul of a listener.

After a set of immaculate vibes, Francis closed the show with the upbeat and warm-hearted “She’s A Winner,” which brought great energy for audience dancing. It was the natural bookend to a night of first-rate artistry and infectious grooves.

By the time I left the Allston music venue, my mind was so blown that I had to go get a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake to cool down before hopping on the Green Line back to campus.

You can watch Francis’s national television debut from CBS Morning’s Saturday Sessions series here, which aired live two days after their Allston performance.