About
Francisco Xifra is a folk singer for hire in Sunshine Coast, QLD.
Argentinian, now playing in Australia, with six years of busking across Europe, South America and New Zealand behind him. Francisco Xifra sings in Spanish, Italian and English, and the sound pulls folk, blues and Latin together, with Bossa Nova and Argentine folk and tango sitting under the surface. Dylan, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, Elvis, Jose Gonzalez, Fleetwood Mac and The Cure are all in there somewhere. The most requested songs at his shows are Perfect, Here Comes the Sun, Banana Pancakes, Can't Help Falling in Love and Wake Me Up, though he'll pitch the set chilled or lively depending on the room, and learn a new song if you ask in advance. Battery-powered gear, 15 minutes to set up, two square metres, three to four hours without a power point.
Watch
The show
Francisco is from Argentina and spent six years busking across Europe, South America, New Zealand and Australia before settling into playing here, which is a decent apprenticeship in holding a crowd's attention. His sets are acoustic and unhurried, with songs in Spanish, Italian and English, and a mix of his own writing and covers. The influences pull in a lot of directions: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, The Cure, Elvis Presley, Jose Gonzalez and Fleetwood Mac, along with Bossa Nova, Argentine folk and tango. What comes out is a blend that suits a room where people want to actually hear the music.
On the day
Francisco brings full production for small to medium venues, using professional battery powered gear including a compact amp and mic stand. Setup takes 15 minutes and he needs about two square metres to work in. Because it runs on battery for three to four hours without external power, it works for restaurants, pubs and outdoor spots where a power point isn't going to happen.
Performance options
Professional gear suited to small and medium venues comes with the booking, so there's nothing to hire in. Francisco is also happy to learn a new song if you ask ahead of time, and he takes requests live during the show, which he enjoys as much as the audience does.
Insurance and paperwork
Public liability insured
Song list
Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Can't Help Falling in Love
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Wake Me Up - Avicii
