ENTERTAINMENT
Opening for Justin Timberlake
BIG BREAK FOR YATES TORONTO PERFORMER TAPPED TO OPEN FOR JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Getting picked to open for Justin Timberlake on his 46-date Man of the Woods Tour is a major coup for Francesco Yates. The 23 yearold Toronto musician has been on a roll since 2014, racking up chart-topping hits such as Sugar (for German producer Robin Schulz) and opening for Carly Rae Jepsen on her Hello World road trip.
Signed to Atlantic Records at age 16, the artist has been getting groomed for his shot at stardom. Releasing songs where he plays pretty much everything, it looks like he just might get a chance.
The Toronto Star compared him with Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Prince, and songs such as the new single, Somebody Like You, are keeping appetites whetted for his forthcoming full-length album. As for his professionalism, just watch how he keeps a straight face performing Sugar on a German TV variety show with a dance routine that would have been played out back in the day when Sonny and Cher were on TV. It’s on YouTube and classic.
Yates chatted about the tour from Toronto where he had just “had a protein smoothie and I’m totally golden.” The fella is funny:
Q Given the nature of the whole album cycle changing, what is the most important
way for you to get your music out to fans?
A
I think that it’s always good to be releasing multiple things, whether an album is out or not. Because of how I work, the nature of my studio and the digital-age technology of today, I’m always writing and producing, and can launch songs from the road or wherever. It’s something about the times I’m very much embracing."
Q You favour upside down, backwards Stratocaster-style guitars to get those funky Prince-like lines. What got you started songwriting?
A
That’s my weapon of choice for sure, my battle axe. As for what got me going, it was really the movie School of Rock, which said to me that you can do it if you try. Also from that was the idea that you could always be a student learning more and that mentality has kept me going for it.
Q That said, it’s a big step from being inspired by Jack Black onscreen to screaming arenas full of fans on the Timberlake tour correct.
A
Yes, and that has certainly helped me getting my head around the idea that I think I’m going to go for this music thing. Nothing is for sure, but this feels like a pretty good fit. Justin and I met because I wrote a song with a friend of his and he tweeted about it and then remembered all this time later.
Q You had enjoyed considerable success in Europe with Sugar and done some big events and also that TV program with the weird dancing routine, right?
A
Yes, the festival crowds with Robin when I did Sugar all singing it back to me was a pretty crazy feeling. That show was pretty much another world with all the clean-cut hair, dancing police officers and flashing lights and sirens. Europe is really unique, right down to all the different plugs.
Q How long is the set on this tour?
A
Averaging about five or six songs, coming in at about half-an-hour and leaving people wanting more. It’s nice and tight, and flows seamlessly. But the downside is you really want to play more. I’ve got the bass player, Alex, who has been with me from Day 1 and a few other friends and we’re rocking it.