November Concert Round Up: Bonobo, Francis and the Lights, Hard NYC and More…

Tag Archive: "Francis and the Lights"

November Concert Round Up: Bonobo, Francis and the Lights, Hard NYC and More…

Posted on 03 November 2010

Now that we’re over the CMJ and Halloween craziness of October, it’s time for us to take a look at what we have coming up this month. Click through to see some of our top picks…

Tags: A-Trak, Bonobo, Bosco Delrey, Flying Lotus Miike Snow, Francis and the Lights, HARD NYC, Honey Brothers, La Roux, MiM0SA, Tiga, Yelawolf

Posted in Concerts, DJ, Live Music, Local Flavor

Francis and the Lights + Penguin Prison = Match Made in Heaven

Posted on 17 May 2010

Last Thursday, Francis Farewell Starlite and his backing band, collectively known as Francis and the Lights, took the stage at Bowery Ballroom for the final stop of their tour. While they were accompanied by Drake and K-Os on most stops of the 27-city excursion, Penguin Prison stepped up to the plate as the show openers, a role that they fulfilled beautifully. Having never heard their music before, we were pleasantly surprised by their funky bass lines, laced with synth pop keys and smooth vocals. The four-piece band (complete with a pink-stringged electric bass) played for approximately 45 minutes, surprisingly long given that they’ve only officially released two songs in the US.

Francis and the Lights, who released their second album last month, played a well-balanced set that included tracks from across their catalog. Francis demonstrated that the talent and ability he exhibits in his recordings fully translates to the stage, while tweaking each song so that we weren’t just hearing the album cuts that we’re used to. With spontaneous dance breaks that delighted the audience, Francis’ indelible charisma was difficult to capture on camera. Make no mistake – this is a solo act backed by a band, with Francis serving as lead singer, piano player and conductor. His persona on stage exuded a maniacal genius and a perfectionist to the core.

If you’re a fan of Francis and the Lights, then you are almost sure to enjoy Penguin Prison (and vice versa), which is what made their pairing so perfect. Both bands have a timeless quality to their music that could be successful whether it was released last year or last decade, a feat that not all musicians can achieve. Much of the music we’ve been hearing lately is very “now” – a product of our generation that our parents would probably describe as “noise”. Not to say we don’t like it, it was just refreshing to watch two acts that repackage classic elements of music into new and original creations.

CLICK HERE for photos of the evening, and be sure to check out Francis and the Lights’ latest effort, It’ll Be Better on iTunes. After the jump, watch their latest video for “Darling, It’s Alright”

Tags: Bowery Ballroom, Francis and the Lights, Penguin Prison

Posted in Concerts, Live Music, Local Flavor, New Music, Photo Gallery, Video

CMJ Madness

Posted on 20 October 2009

Creating our CMJ schedule has been no easy task. With over 1000 artists performing in NYC over the next four days, the official schedule of events is enough to make your head spin. Throw in the daily seminars and you’ve got your work cut out for you. Our top picks? The xx is performing at Mercury Lounge on Wednesday and is giving a free show at The Apple Store on Thursday. The Green Owl CMJ Showcase at Le Poisson Rouge on Wednesday also promises to be a great event, with performances by Theophilus London and The Very Best, among others. On Thursday, legendary DJs and hip-hop acts will unite at B.B. King’s to pay tribute to the late Grandmaster Roc Raida, with performances by X-Ecutioners, The Beat Junkies, DJ Craze, A-Trak, Z-Trip, and more. You can view all of the official events and create your own CMJ schedule by clicking here.

And it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the thousands of official events, we have our eyes on several unofficial events that are happening this week. Fool’s Gold Records will celebrate its two-year anniversary with events at 88 Palace on Wednesday and N8 on Thursday. Friday will keep us busy with three great events, all in Brooklyn. The Green Label Sound Bowl Party at the Brooklyn Bowl features live performances by Chromeo, Theophilus London, Amazing Baby and Solid Gold, with a DJ set by Holy Ghost. PopGun Booking is hosting their event at Glasslands, featuring a live performance by Francis and the Lights. The Trouble & Bass Crew rounds out the trifecta with an event at Cameo.

So there you have it. Are you ready for the week ahead? Check out some of the fliers for the unofficial events after the jump, and be sure to check in daily for our coverage of the CMJ Music Marathon.

Tags: -Ecutioners, 88 Palace, A-Trak, Amazing Baby, Apple Store, Beat Junkies, Cameo, Chromeo, CMJ, DJ Craze, Fool's Gold, Francis and the Lights, Glassland, Green Label Sound, Green Owl, Holy Ghost, Le Poisson Rouge, N8, PopGun Booking, Roc Raida, solid gold, The xx, Theophilus London, Trouble & Bass, Z-TripThe Very Best

Posted in DJ, Events, Festivals, Live Music, Local Flavor, Up & Coming

On Tour: Francis and the Lights

Posted on 06 July 2009

Modern_Promise

Meet Francis and the Lights, the latest breakout act from Weslyan University (MGMT and Santigold are also alums). Helmed by lead singer Francis Farewell Starlite, ‘and the Lights’ refers not to his backing band, but to stage lights, which are growing bright on this New York-based band.

In a departure from the traditional label deal, Francis and the Lights formed a separate company, Francis and the Lights, LLC, to handle the band’s business intersts. Normative Music’s investment of $100,000 allows the band to maintain creative freedom while they develop their music and build a fan base.

Lead Singer Francis Farewell Starlite sings in a falsetto more synonymous with Prince than with Justin Timberlake. While the sound fits in with our modern era, it is reminiscent of the funk, pop and soul of the 1970s and 1980s.

Check out their cover of Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” below. Downloads of their first two EPs, Striking and A Modern Promise are free on the band’s website.

Can’t Tell Me Nothing- Francis and the Lights 

Francis will perform a solo show at Joe’s Pub on July 11 and with the full band on July 18 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Additional reporting by Melissa Woods.