Superstar producer Dillon Francis is unabashedly fun. From his viral internet antics and satirical alter-egos to his high-energy live sets, Francis’s personality is as big as his talent. We were able to catch Dillon Francis on his latest North American tour as it stopped in Portland for a sold-out show at 45 East.
It was unseasonably warm for October. On a balmy evening, fans gathered outside of 45 East, joyously free of their raincoats for a few more weeks. Bumping bass music was already spilling from the club into the street. It was my first time at Portland’s most popular dance club, but definitely not my first time seeing Dillon Francis.
Dillon’s debut album, 2015’s Money Sucks, Friends Rule, was on constant rotation in my car throughout college. I would blast his brassy crowd-pleaser “Get Low” at any party that would allow me. One year, I even trekked with my friends to an obscure church in Columbus and waited in the snow to see him play at a Four Loko promo party. I fondly remember being sardined between my friends as balloon giraffes and sweetened malt liquor rained down on us. And it all happened to the addictive party tunes of Dillon Francis.
Dillon Francis on Tour
What’s the most exciting thing about watching Francis play? You never know what you’re going to get. He seamlessly shifts between moombahton to heavy bass; he mixes classic disco tracks with drum and bass beats; he layers 90’s hip hop over bounce music. The diversity of his catalog has always been his strength, and his live sets allow that to shine. At his set in Portland, he whipped out left-field gems like Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch” and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” Fans aching for new music got their taste of his track “Goodies” from his forthcoming album This Mixtape Is Fire TOO.
The new track continues a successful year for Dillon, who recently shared singles “Move It” with Valentino Khan and “Once Again” with VINNE. His last house LP Happy Machine, which included the #1 single “Love Me Better”, was released to widespread acclaim in 2021. His current tour is selling out clubs and venues across America, Portland included.
All in all, Dillon Francis is the epitome of his art: joyous, bold, and always fluctuating. His current North American tour is a mash-up of some of his finest hits. From his expert mashups to his outlandish visuals, Francis refuses to stand still. And it’s gotten him where he is today.
Check out Dillon Francis tour dates here
Featured image by Thomas Falcone
