Next weekend sees the return of a bright young musical prospect to the island.

Former Ramsey Grammar school pupil Francesca May, 18, will perform her first home concert since leaving to study at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and will also launch an EP of her original songs, inspired by her feelings about leaving the Isle of Man at such a young age.

Francesca has already gained considerable experience in the world of music, having already recorded and released an EP, aged just 14, and winning an island-wide talent contest, Manx Radio’s ’Young Singer/Songwriter of Mann’ Competition in 2014.

Before that she was immersed in the world of folk music, learning to play the whistle, aged eight under teacher Mike Boulton at Albert Road school, in Ramsey.

From there, she had her first experience of song writing at a week-long ’Rock School’ project, which also introduced her to playing the guitar, and which left her wanting a career in music.

Her first EP, ’Not for You’, helped her gain her place at the prestigious LIPA academy, which saw her move to Liverpool aged 16.

’Over the past two years I’ve had the most incredible experiences, from planning and performing at festivals to meeting influential people such as Nile Rodgers and Woody Harrelson,’ said Francesca.

’LIPA has helped me achieve so much, and helped me grow as a musician. Whilst studying, I learnt absolutely everything you need to know about a successful music career.

’Liverpool is such a friendly city, and although it’s quite competitive to find gigs, there are so many open mics and there’s always someone who wants to hear you play.’

Her new EP, ’Home’, features four new songs written in tribute to the island she had just left, and helped her cope with living in a big city by herself.

’With moving away at such a young age, I wrote about the island because in a way it helped with the homesickness,’ she said.

’I wrote "Home" just before I left, and I knew that by writing about everything I loved on the island then it would make leaving easier.

’It’s a tribute to the island and everyone that’s helped me along the way.

’The island is so important to me, and it’s helped shape me into the person I am today. The rainy days gave me time to improve my song writing, and the culture always makes its way into my songs.

’My favourite song off the EP is "Catacombs". I wrote it when I’d just moved to Liverpool. Suddenly I was in this big city on my own, but I quickly found friends who were supporting me in every way possible.’

Both ’Home’ and ’Catacombs’ are available now as singles through most streaming sites.

Francesca appears at the Peel Centenary Centre on Friday, August 24, from 7pm, with support from Mae Challis and indie group Sunset Jet.

Tickets are £10, and are available from Shakti Man, Celtic Gold, GH Corletts and Thompson Travel, and also by contacting Francesca through her Facebook page.

by Mike Wade

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