Art rockers ‘Franz Ferdinand’ have just exploded in Europe with their refreshing, intelligent sound. Their recent show in Auckland proved to New Zealand audiences that the hype is justified.
Supported by Kiwi acts ‘Die! Die! Die!’ and ‘Goodshirt’, ‘Franz Ferdinand’ played to a sold out crowd at the St. James last Monday night. ‘Die! Die! Die!’ was opening and played like a burst of machine gun fire, a spasm of staccato guitar chords with a shrieking front man that threw himself around the stage like a kid on a sugar high. Mercifully their set was a short one, and ‘Goodshirt’ put on an entertaining show that played like an advertisement for their upcoming ‘Fiji Baby’ tour.
When headliners ‘Franz Ferdinand’ arrived on stage they didn’t disappoint. Wasting no time they launched into their set with an infectious energy that had everyone on the ground floor dancing. Singer Alex Kapranos delivered intelligent, poetic lyrics with serene composure from centre stage, gesturing into the distance as he sang. Guitarist Nick McCarthy stomped out punchy riffs while bassist Bob Hardy and drummer Paul Thompson provided an industrial, pumping rhythm section that was guaranteed to get people moving.
As a band they’re extremely tight and as a result their live act sounded far better than their album. The sound benefited from heavier guitars and Thompson pummelling the drum kit, driving home the riffs that were played flawlessly by the rest of the band.
The classy single ‘Take Me Out’ was a crowd favourite with its clever tempo changes and addictive hooks; the audience jumped to the beat and sang along in all their cacophonic glory. ‘Franz Ferdinand’ was visibly impressed by the energy of the fans, dropping their instruments to crowd surf and playing to the girls that clambered onto the stage to dance before they were dragged off by security. The end of the set was met with cries of protest from the audience, and after a short delay the band retook the stage and played a powerful encore of 3 more songs, finishing with the epic ‘This Fire’.
During the set ‘Franz Ferdinand’ played a number of impressive new songs, a promise of good things to come. If these tracks are anything to go by they’ll deliver another refreshing, first-rate album to match their brilliant debut. ‘Franz Ferdinand’ have set out to create artistically credible yet catchy tunes, ‘music that girls can dance to’ as they put it, and so far they’re succeeding admirably.
When headliners ‘Franz Ferdinand’ arrived on stage they didn’t disappoint. Wasting no time they launched into their set with an infectious energy that had everyone on the ground floor dancing. Singer Alex Kapranos delivered intelligent, poetic lyrics with serene composure from centre stage, gesturing into the distance as he sang. Guitarist Nick McCarthy stomped out punchy riffs while bassist Bob Hardy and drummer Paul Thompson provided an industrial, pumping rhythm section that was guaranteed to get people moving. 
The classy single ‘Take Me Out’ was a crowd favourite with its clever tempo changes and addictive hooks; the audience jumped to the beat and sang along in all their cacophonic glory. ‘Franz Ferdinand’ was visibly impressed by the energy of the fans, dropping their instruments to crowd surf and playing to the girls that clambered onto the stage to dance before they were dragged off by security. The end of the set was met with cries of protest from the audience, and after a short delay the band retook the stage and played a powerful encore of 3 more songs, finishing with the epic ‘This Fire’.
During the set ‘Franz Ferdinand’ played a number of impressive new songs, a promise of good things to come. If these tracks are anything to go by they’ll deliver another refreshing, first-rate album to match their brilliant debut. ‘Franz Ferdinand’ have set out to create artistically credible yet catchy tunes, ‘music that girls can dance to’ as they put it, and so far they’re succeeding admirably.