Flynn Francis

Quick Facts

Summary

Flynn Francis is an Australian songwriter, producer and performer best known for his long-running collaboration with Robbie Williams. He co-wrote songs across albums including Take The Crown, The Heavy Entertainment Show and The Christmas Present, and is a founding member of the electronic group Lufthaus.

Biography

Early life and musical background

Flynn Francis grew up in Australia and developed an early interest in music through classic rock and guitar-based songwriting. His formative influences included artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and U2, alongside Australian bands that were prominent during his youth.

Francis attended a specialist music school, where he met Tim Metcalfe. The two formed a close friendship and creative partnership that would continue through their teenage years and into adulthood.

Band work and early songwriting

As a teenager and young adult, Francis played in several bands with Metcalfe, most notably Undercolours. The project focused on original material and live performance, and allowed Francis to develop his songwriting voice within a traditional band setting.

During this period, Francis and Metcalfe regularly attended major concerts and festivals, building an understanding of live music culture and large-scale performance that would later inform their professional work.

Move to Los Angeles and early industry experience

In his early twenties, Francis began travelling between Australia and Los Angeles to pursue songwriting and production opportunities. Los Angeles offered greater access to studios, collaborators and publishing networks, and Francis immersed himself in the industry environment.

He undertook internships and studio placements, gaining experience in recording sessions and music production while continuing to write and develop original material.

Introduction to Robbie Williams

Francis’ introduction to Robbie Williams came through a personal connection rather than a formal industry pitch. After Williams heard early demos written by Francis and Metcalfe, he began recording vocals over their tracks and communicating with them directly.

The first in-person meeting took place in Los Angeles, where Francis played Williams a selection of songs. The creative connection was immediate, leading to an extended period of writing and collaboration.

Take The Crown era

Francis was a key contributor to the writing of Take The Crown. A large portion of the album was written in a short and highly productive period, with Francis working closely with Williams and Metcalfe in an informal, collaborative setting.

Songs co-written by Francis during this period include Be a Boy, Gospel, Not Like the Others and other tracks that became central to the album and its associated tours.

The success of Take The Crown marked a major turning point in Francis’ career and established him as a trusted long-term collaborator.

Ongoing collaboration with Robbie Williams

Following Take The Crown, Francis continued to work extensively with Williams across multiple projects. His songwriting credits include material from Heavy Entertainment Show, The Christmas Present and the Under the Radar releases.

Several songs co-written by Francis have become fan favourites despite not being released as singles, and some have been revisited by Williams in live performance and later arrangements.

Francis has also appeared on stage with Williams for select performances, including special shows and tours where songs he co-wrote were featured.

Lufthaus

Lufthaus developed from Francis’ growing interest in electronic music and club culture. Alongside Tim Metcalfe, he began exploring electronic production that prioritised atmosphere, rhythm and emotional tone.

When Robbie Williams expressed interest in participating, the project evolved into a trio. Lufthaus provided Francis with an opportunity to explore electronic music without the commercial expectations attached to Williams’ solo releases.

Within Lufthaus, Francis acts as a songwriter, producer and performer, contributing to studio recordings and live electronic sets. The group has released multiple tracks and albums, with further material recorded for future releases.

Credits & Contributions (29)