Neo-soul crooners Francis and the Lights will open for Canada’s hottest rapper, Drake, at a sold-out show at Bogart’s on Friday. The band’s rise to fame is often compared to Vampire Weekend’s, as the band members got together at Wesleyan University.
Fronted by the distinctive Francis Farewell Starlite, the band creates a New Romantic sound with influence from Bryan Ferry, Spandau Ballet, Human League, Blow Monkeys and ABC and sensual falsetto singing accompanied by synth-infused, heavily percussive Modern Rock.
Francis and the Lights are set to release their first full-length album, It’ll Be Better, on July 20.
Check out Steven Rosen’s Sound Advice pick here.
This article appears in May 19-25, 2010.