It has been ten years since the release of the self titled debut album that saw the Scottish four-piece rise to British rock stardom. A Mercury Prize, an Ivor Novello award and a number one album later and the stalwarts of the indie world arrived at a sold out Roundhouse to play the first of two shows armed with a hit packed set and unrivalled energy.
Bringing along a suitable audience, the overriding feeling of the night was enjoyment. The Glaswegians set the tempo early doors with an opening burst of ‘Bullet’ from last year’s Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action LP. The band’s fourth studio album is arguably their best album since their eponymous self-titled debut and the newer tracks slotted effortlessly between songs from their three previous albums with sing-along hit after hit leaving those in attendance no time to catch a breath.
Despite some sloppiness early on, the crowd’s fine voice and the bands energy more than made up for any lulls. Ringmaster and frontman Alex Kapranos was in excellent form throughout; with his Jarvis Cocker-like presence to his flamboyance and throwback power jumps, Kapranos orchestrated proceedings with relative ease as the band powered through an impressive collection of tracks.
Guitarist and keyboard player Nick McCarthy was as frantic as ever, and after a short stint on keys he declares “I’m back on guitar...you better watch out.” A fitting warning in hindsight, the band launched all guns blazing into ‘Michael.’ This though, was just McCarthy and co warming up as an extended intro to indie-disco classic ‘Take Me Out’ was needed just to prepare the magnificent Camden venue for takeoff.
Not content with taking the roof off once, Franz Ferdinand unleashed ‘This Fire’ and ‘Ulysses’ to end the show, exiting the stage to a rapturous response. An inevitable return was marked by Kapranos strutting back on stage with enviable levels of swag. Geeing the crowd back up, a five-song encore culminating in all four band members crowding round Paul Thomson’s drum kit for a percussion overload was a fitting ending to such an energetic set.
Franz Ferdinand are a British band who should be celebrated. Ten years in the game, they have mastered their craft and a show like this should be a benchmark for delivering a career-filled set in order to delight fans.
Franz Ferdinand played:
Bullet
The Dark of the Matinée
Tell Her Tonight
Evil Eye
No You Girls
Do You Want To
The Fallen
Fresh Strawberries
Walk Away
Stand on the Horizon
Can't Stop Feeling
Auf Achse
Lucid Dreams
Brief Encounters
Michael
Take Me Out
Love Illumination
This Fire
Ulysses
Encore:
Right Action
Evil and a Heathen
Jacqueline
Goodbye Lovers & Friends
Outsiders
Below: More exclusive and awesome photos of Franz Ferdinand rocking The Roundhouse
