Francis Dunnery debuted his all-original new Blues band on the road in November 2022
In October, the band return to the UK circuit, armed with music from their new album, much of which was showcased last year, to great acclaim:
Francis is no stranger to the blues! As well as being brought up in a household filled with his older brothers’ blues records, his blistering guitar skills also brought him to the attention of Led Zeppelin’s legendary blues front man Robert Plant with whom he played guitar for three years. “I basically got my blues education from Robert” he explains; “I think if there was a blues history competition, I would bet my life savings on Robert winning it. He knows everything about the blues. He was always telling me to listen to this guy or that guy. He told me about Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, BB King and all the other legends of the genre”.
But it wasn’t until 2021 that Dunnery finally got the itch to dive headlong into recording his own first blues record. “I was listening to Robert Johnson’s repertoire at home and the spirit of the man hit me like a ton of bricks. There is something deeply moving about those early recordings and I finally woke up to the blues. It was a relief. I wrote about twenty blues songs in three days. They were pouring out of me. I can’t honestly lay claim to any of them because they are so influenced by what has gone before. You can’t really change the blues, you can only add your own emotion to the templates that already exist. And I don’t want to play new blues, a spin on the blues or even add anything new to the genre. I just want to play straight forward blues and adapt to the existing picture frame. I want to carve my name on that old wall. That’s what I like, that’s what moves me so that’s what I’m gonna do”.
Francis Dunnery first hit the public stage back in the eighties as lead vocalist and guitarist for the popular progressive rock band It Bites and enjoyed early chart success throughout Europe and Asia. Over the past thirty years he has written, produced and performed music with some of the most successful artists of his time. Artists such as Led Zeppelin’s singer Robert Plant, guitar legend Carlos Santana, Squeeze stalwart Chris Difford, Stone Roses’ front man Ian Brown, R&B superstar Lauren Hill, Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett - as well as guesting with a host of bands and artists such as Yes, Hootie and the Blowfish and played alongside musical legend Chris Squire in The Syn.
Francis is also an accomplished Rock Icon in his own right, turning out more than ten engaging albums of original yet diverse compositions as well as international solo chart hits in various countries throughout the world. He is a musicians’ musician and a songwriters’ songwriter. This latest chapter in his long and diverse career will no doubt bring his trademark song writing quality and guitar skills to the forefront of the blues genre.
“ “Packed with all the blues DNA but with a modern Francis Dunnery twist. Tombstone Dunnery took us on a complete blues journey from the Chitlin Circuit, via the Cumbrian delta, up to modern-day rocky blues”. ”
““I just want to play straight forward blues and adapt to the existing picture frame. I want to carve my name on that old wall. That’s what I like, that’s what moves me so that’s what I’m gonna do”.”
Tickets £21
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CABARET SEATING
Most of our shows use ‘cabaret-style’ seating. This means that your seats will be unreserved, which allows you to decide where to sit when you arrive.
The stalls (downstairs) are set up informally, with chairs around small tables, for a sociable, relaxed atmosphere, and somewhere to put your drink. Cabaret seating also allows space for dancing, which is highly encouraged at Victoria Hall!
For those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ theatre experience, the balcony seats are laid out in rows and raked, ensuring all seats have an excellent view.
For parties of six or more, tables in the stalls can be reserved- contact us to reserve a table. If you have reserved a table, we ask that at least one of your party turn up at least 30 minutes before the performance start time, in order to secure your table.
We can always reserve seating or wheelchair spaces in the stalls for those unable to use the stairs- just let us know when you book your tickets.
Please note, online bookings are subject to a booking fee. Tickets can also be bought by phone on 01729 825718, or in person at our box office. Opening hours are 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday.
Show end times given are an estimate only. Doors open 45 minutes before show start times.
Settle Victoria Hall reserves the right to turn away any customers not adhering to social-distancing laws, government guidelines, and/ or venue safeguarding policies.
Tickets are non-refundable, except in the case that the event or date has been changed by Settle Victoria Hall.
