Angelique Francis is a powerhouse on the Canadian roots and blues scene, known for her electrifying stage presence, multi-instrumental talent, and deep respect for traditional sounds blended with a modern edge. By her early teens, she was already performing professionally, mastering instruments like upright bass, guitar, and piano while developing a voice that channels both grit and soul.

From Ottawa, Francis has earned national acclaim, including a JUNO Award, multiple Maple Blues Awards, and continues to captivate audiences with high-energy performances that move seamlessly from foot-stomping blues to soulful ballads—all delivered with charisma, authenticity, and a contagious love of the craft. Catch her for a rare local show as part of the Blues at The Cove series on Friday, April 17, 2026. Details and reservations here.

---

Seamus Cowan: You’re known for playing multiple instruments on stage—has there ever been a moment where you thought, “Okay, this is one instrument too many”?

Angelique: Hahaha, never! I have an appetite for knowledge, and I hope to never stop learning; especially when it comes to instruments. As a touring musician however, there’s only so much room in the tour van! Currently the multiple instruments my sisters and I play on stage are:

• myself on upright bass, electric bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, and vocals
• my sister Kharincia on alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone, and vocals
• my sister Kira on trombone, keys, and vocals

In the studio, we don’t have to worry about stage space. On our latest album “Not Defeated” I also play organ, keys, lap slide guitar, cigar box guitar, keytar, cello and percussion.

Q: If you could time-travel and jam with any blues legend for one night, who’s getting the call—and what song are you opening with?

Angelique: Such a great question, but an impossibly hard one! How could I choose just one? I’m going to cheat a little bit on this question. If I can time travel to any time and location, instead of choosing just one Blues legend, I’ll choose one legendary night for the Blues. I would love to be there on stage with Big Mama Thornton, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters at the 1973 Newport Jazz Festival.

Q: Your shows have such incredible energy—what’s your pre-show ritual, and does it ever get a little weird?

Angelique: Thank you very much! Due to how hectic things can get before a show, we don’t have a set ritual. If we have time, pre-show activities are about preparation. Our high energy shows include a lot of movement and dancing, so we like to stretch, warm up, and tune our instruments. We’ve had weird things happen before, but that’s usually during and after a show. Once drinks start flowing, audiences sometimes get a little wild.

Q: Growing up around blues music, was there ever a point where you rebelled and thought, “Nope, I’m going pop”… or were you always all-in?

Angelique: I have a deep connection to blues music. Growing up I was very privileged to be raised with the understanding that blues music is at the heart of all modern North American music and is responsible for creating and inspiring so many of the other genres we know and love today, including pop, jazz, rock, country, R&B, soul, folk, Americana, funk, and so on. I’ve always been a multi-genre musician, with blues at the heart and soul of everything I do. I have never felt bound or confined by this beautiful genre, only by how others define it commercially. It is everywhere, even if people don’t realize it. It gives me great joy to teach the younger generations about this. “Pop” is another word for “popular music” and is always changing with the times. In the past pop was blues, and perhaps one day it will be again.

Q: If your music had to be paired with a food or drink that captures your vibe, what would it be—and why does it probably come with a kick?

Angelique: My band delivers lively performances, and we love to encourage our audiences to dance and join along in making music with us! We give a diverse range of Blues styles that will keep you on your toes! I definitely would use the word “spicy” to describe our music, hahaha! I would say we resemble a spicy Gumbo, or as they call it in the Caribbean: Mixup mixup!

Posted: Apr 14, 2026