Bluesman Mike Francis
PRESS
"Exciting approach introducing the Blues to a whole new generation"
Katie McBarron - Acoustic Festival of Great Britain
“Delivers an unmistakable Memphis atmosphere combined with Silicone Valley"
Music Underground Croatia
“New Era Blues… Great advert for both Acoustic & Blues Music Alike...."
Blues in Britain
"Liverpool & Philadelphia's finest has been voted Best Unplugged in 2022 WRC Awards as evidenced by today's Video of the Day...."
WRC UK Rock Awards 8/1/2023
Bluesman Mike Francis. The name conjures up all kinds of images. The sort of name, perhaps of a chap that was at the crossroads watching with Robert Johnson when it all went down. But, whilst he’s played with everybody over his 42 years in the business, the truth of the name is another guy called Mike Francis died and took the bluesman’s Google rankings. If that is the modern world writ large, then the acoustic blues sounds here at least take us away from the 21st century up to a point. “Five More Wishes” is a clever opener, Francis playing as a one man band, with a kick drum and some fine loop work. “Leadbelly Blues” is his take on “House Of New Orleans”, and a new track “Devil’s Waiting Room” all exemplify his skills. Most striking of all, perhaps, is a blues cover of Depeche Mode’s “Dawning Of Our Love”. That in itself is not a phrase I expected to write tonight, much less that it worked excellently. A short set is ended with “Blinded By The Bistro”, a track from his latest EP, and it is an entertaining, expertly played slice of blues from a man clearly steeped in – and enthralled by – the music.
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Andy Thorley - Review of Artrix Arts Theatre show on Erja Lyytinen UK Tour 30th March 2019 - for Maximum Volume Music
photo Graham Munn
Special Guest on Big Boy Bloater UK Tour May 2022
Bluesman Mike Francis was honoured to perform on the May 2022 UK Tour with Big Boy Bloater including a night at London's iconic 100 Club (photo 4). Mike was pleased to point out "After over 2 years of disruption due to Covid 19 it was a great tonic to be back out there again performing to real live audiences". Photos 1,2 & 3; Chapel Arts Bath.
New Guitars & New Era Blues Project for live dates in 2021
Bluesman Mike Francis is delighted to announce that for 2021 he'll be using Winyard Diamondcaster Electric Guitars especially 12 string model. "The '12 Man' answers questions that have been asked of electric 12 string instruments for many years and a great honour to be involved with a prestige UK custom brand".
After taking an enforced break for most of 2020 Mike looks forward to releasing a remix EP along with a completely fresh release to accompany his New Era Blues audience engagement project with Press and Arts Organisations, aimed at introducing the Blues genre to a whole new generation and following
Manchester Blues Festival amalgamates with International Guitar Festival of Great Britain for 2019
Following terror tragedy of 2017, descision was taken by Mike & Manchester Biennial Blues Festival team to merge MABS Fest 2019 with IGF Great Britain at Floral Pavillion, New Brighton, Merseyside. An excellent all day event featured Dai Thomas & Bex Marshall as well as a set from Mike himself & Blues in Britain Magazine reported "great advert for acoustic and blues music alike"
Another World Tour with Erja Lyytinen & BBC6 Music Live Festival 2019
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During March 2019 Bluesman Mike Francis played UK dates on European & World acclaimed guitarist 'Erja Lyytinen Another World Tour' including BBC6 Music Live Festival at the Atkinson Theatre Southport Merseyside on Friday 29th March. Please see above for review from that tour the following evening at Artrix Arts Theatre Bromsgrove Worcestershire.
"Bluesman Mike Francis confirmed as UK Events Coordinator at the European Blues Awards for a second spell during 2018"
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As announced on January 1st during first #BluesHour forum of 2018, former award finalist Mike has once again been confirmed as European Blues Awards Events Coordinator for the UK. Pictured here presenting the 2016 Lifetime Contribution Award to Pete Feenstra, he commented "It is a great honour and look forward to enjoying another term working with the team"
"European Blues Awards Finalist - Solo/Acoustic 2013"
Nominated along with Seasick Steve and fellow touring companion Canada's Matt Andersen, Mike has also recently played European tour dates with the Larry Miller Band, Kent DuChaine, Carvin Jones Band, Ryan McGarvey & the Blues Band.
"Ozark Guitars product endorsee"
Bluesman Mike Francis is proud to endorse Ozark Guitars and Instruments and has been doing so since 2010. "They are just absolutely incredible to play irrespective of the unbelievable price tag. A real joy to use both on stage and in the studio"
Blue Skies Blues hit world's biggest business festival IFB2016 in June
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Bluesman Mike Francis has recently played a show for delegates at the world's number one business event IFB2016 at the Liverpool Conference Arena on Monday 20th June. "It was a great honour to be asked to play and the reaction was phenomenal"
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Bluesman Mike makes it 25 out of 27 years at Great British Blues Festival Colne
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At the end of August 2016 Mike made his 25th appearance at the renouned Great British R&B Festival in Colne Lancs as part of the European Blues Awards season of showcase events. He also performed at the awards final acoustic showcase in Manchester with fellow nominee Bex Marshall.
"In the ever changing age old world of the blues, technology dealt a pretty unexpected hand" - Blues Matters Magazine - May 2015
Since the 1970's Mike Francis had been touring worldwide with iconic rock, blues and soul acts. More recently Mike had also been featured in one form or another on 24 of the 25 years of Colne UK Great British Blues Festivals as well as writing music for mainstream advertisements and even a US television series. Then almost overnight everything changed.
A high profile Italian singer had adopted the same name and unknown to Mike had passed away in January 2009. As time went by and digital search became more important, confusion reigned and the solo gigs and recordings were getting harder to prmote, especially in Europe, for this very reason. Therefore in 2012 he decided to bite the bullet, rebrand as 'Bluesman Mike Francis' and start over again.