Neal Francis with Gold Leader

Neal Francis brings the funk, soul and swagger of another era roaring into the present.

A Chicago-based singer, songwriter and keyboard player, Francis mixes ’70s funk, psychedelic soul, R&B and rock & roll into a sound that feels vintage without getting stuck in the past.

At the center of it all is Francis on the keys, channeling the loose grooves of classic New Orleans funk, the flash of glam rock and the deep-pocket soul of old-school R&B. His live shows stretch beyond the studio versions, giving the band room to jam, build grooves and turn songs into full-blown dance-floor workouts. Think greasy organ, funky bass lines, big guitar moments and enough psychedelic twists to keep things unpredictable.

Francis has become a festival and club favorite for good reason—this isn’t a stand-and-stare kind of show. It’s sweaty, soulful, funky and built to move a room.