[Cover photo credit to Jack Karnatz]

Singer/songwriter and pianist Neal Francis has returned with new single, “Back It Up,” via ATO Records. Francis’ first new music in almost two years, “Back It Up” is a “deliberately over-the-top confession of romantic desperation”

Francis says:

That song went through a few different phases before we got to the final iteration. It took me a while to accept that it’s okay to have fun with the lyrics, instead of making everything so serious all the time.

Francis will celebrate “Back It Up”, and more new music to come, with a series of upcoming headline dates including a two-night homecoming stand at Chicago, IL’s historic Thalia Hall on December 13-14.

2025 will then see Francis traveling to Riviera Cancun, Mexico for Bobby Weir’s annual Dead Ahead (January 9-13) followed by a trip Down Under to Byron Bay, Australia for the Byron Bay Bluesfest (April 17-20). Additional dates will be announced.

 NEAL FRANCIS – TOUR 2024-2025

NOVEMBER

15 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line †

16 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre †

22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation @ The Intersection ^

23 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall ^

DECEMBER

13 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall ^

14 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall + (SOLD OUT)

JANUARY 2025

9-13 – Riviera Cancun, Mexico – Dead Ahead *

APRIL 2025

17-20 – Byron Bay, Australia – Byron Bay Bluesfest *

† w/ Special Guest Wyatt Waddell

^ w/ Special Guest Smushie

+ w/ Special Guest Liam Kazar

* Festival Appearance