Scottish, Not Skittish. Franz Ferdinand Are In Full Control.
You wouldn’t guess it based on the ruckus the band causes on stage, but Franz Ferdinand are now over two decades into their career. Formed in Glascow back in 2002, the Scots are out in support of their latest album, 2025’s The Human Fear, released in January. The band’s sixth studio album, it is the first album to feature the band’s current lineup of Alex Kapranos (vocals, guitar), Bob Hardy (bass), Julian Corrie (keyboards, guitar), Dino Bardot (guitar), and Audrey Tait (percussion). This leg of tour wraps up the second of two North American legs and follows two stretches of European dates, an absolutely relentless schedule from the quintet. This show also marks the band’s first headline show in Nashville since 2018 and follows up the band’s 2023 appearance at Bonnaroo.
Kicking the night off with the feisty post-punk revival track “Michael,” Franz immediately hit high gear and get the crowd involved early. It’s sharp guitars and groovy bass lean heavy into the more danceable side of Franz’s discography. Despite this, its abrasive, not in a grating way but rather a chaotic and off-putting way, leaving you set on your back foot. Julian Corrie and Dino Bardot do their fair share here, spinning and twisting across the stage as they lay down the brunt of this track. Paired with the snappiness of Audrey Tait’s drumming, it is hard not to get fired up.
Franz Ferdinand keep their foot to the floor early with “Do You Want To,” an absolutely infectious rocker from You Could Have It So Much Better. It is catchy and downright irresistible, with dance-punk written all over it. The band, much to their credit, are equally irresistible, with frontman Alex Kapranos taking the limelight with kicks, jumps, and trips down to the crowd. Similarly, this might have been Bob Hardy’s best performance of the night, with his bass line driving the entire song. This is a band that is unafraid, experienced, and simply eager to please. You don’t make it this far into your career without putting on excellent live performances, but Franz Ferdinand take it a step further and ensure that the night is worth the price of admission.
It would be a disservice to speak on Franz Ferdinand without mentioning “Take Me Out.” It is the song that launched the band into the stratosphere and it remains firmly in the zeitgeist of post-turn of the century rock music. It is 4x RIAA platinum, and its intro is instantly recognizable. The song’s inclusion rather early on in the setlist was a welcome surprise, lighting an already exploding powder keg in the audience. Truly, this might have been one of the most energized crowds I’ve ever seen, with this song absolutely launching them into a frenzy. The band’s execution was absolutely perfect, no doubt, but the most awe-inspiring moment here was certainly the level of excitement in the pit. Oddly enough, there were very few cell phones up for this performance, instead the entire room was belting along to the chorus, engaged in a rowdy mosh, and/or dancing without care. It is a rare moment to see at a live show and I think the band should be proud to curate such a moment of human connection.
Setlist
1. Michael
2. Bar Lonely
3. Do You Want To
4. Glimpse Of Love
5. The Doctor
6. No You Girls
7. Walk Away
8. Build It Up
9. Ulysses
10. Black Eyelashes
11. Love Illumination
12. Audacious
13. Take Me Out
14. Hooked (ft. Master Peace)
15. Outsiders
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16. The Dark of the Matinée
17. 40’
18. Night Or Day
19. Evil and a Heathen
20. This Fire
Look, if you’re a fan of early 2000’s alternative rock, post-punk, and other adjacent sub-genres, I’m sure you need no reason to go see Franz Ferdinand. But for those uninitiated, perhaps those who are only familiar with the hit, let me encourage you, take the leap. Franz Ferdinand are an amazing live band, even if you don’t know a single song off of their setlist. You will dance, you will rock, and quite frankly you will have an incredible night. Go see Franz Ferdinand.
Franz Ferdinand have wrapped up their stateside headline dates, but their international run still has a lot of gas. A quick stop in Mexico sets the band up for a run through Oceania and Asia, eventually culminating in a massive European tour. You can find links to all of their upcoming shows here.
Nov 14, 2025 – México, MX – Corona Capital 2025
Nov 26, 2025 – Red Hill, AU – Red Hill Auditorium
Nov 28, 2025 – Melbourne, AU – Live At The Gardens
Nov 29, 2025 – Brisbane City, AU – Riverstage
Dec 2, 2025 – Thirroul, AU – Antita’s Theatre
Dec 3, 2025 – Sydney, AU – Sydney Opera House (Forecourt)
Dec 5, 2025 – Singapore, SG – Fort Gate @ Fort Canning Park
Dec 7, 2025 – Hong Kong, HK – Clockenflap
Dec 9, 2025 – Osaka, JP – Namba Hatch
Dec 11, 2025 – Tokyo, JP – Garden Theater
Dec 13, 2025 – Dubai, AE – Coca-Cola Arena
Feb 12, 2026 – Buenos Aires, AR – C ART MEDIA
Feb 21, 2026 – Belfast, UK – Telegraph Building
Feb 22, 2026 – Dublin, IR – The National Stadium
Feb 24, 2026 – Dundee, UK – LiveHouse
Feb 25, 2026 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
Feb 27, 2026 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy
Feb 28, 2026 – Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall
Mar 2, 2026 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City
Mar 3, 2026 – Norwich, UK – University of East Anglia
Mar 4, 2026 – Brighton, UK – Brighton Dome
Mar 6, 2026 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute
Mar 7, 2026 – Bristol, UK – Bristol Beacon
Mar 8, 2026 – Cardiff, UK – The Great Hall
Mar 10, 2026 – Portsmouth, UK – Portsmouth Guildhall
Mar 11, 2026 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
Mar 23, 2026 – Lyon, FR – Le Transbordeur
Mar 25, 2025 – Paris, FR – L’Olympia
Mar 26, 2025 – Paris, FR – L’Olympia
Mar 28 – Zurich, CH – The Hall
Mar 29, 2026 – Vienna, AT – Gasometer
Mar 31, 2026 – Munich, DE – Zenith
Apr 1, 2026 – Berlin, DE – Tempodrom
Apr 3, 2026 – Brussels, BE – Forest National
Apr 4, 2026 – Cologne, DE – Palladium
Apr 7, 2026 – Lille, FR – L’Aéronef
Apr 8, 2026 – Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium
Apr 10, 2026 – Luxembourg, LU – Rockhal Box
Apr 11, 2026 – Frankurt, DE – Jahrhunderthalle
Apr 13, 2026 – Nantes, FR – La Carriere
Apr 14, 2026 – Toulouse, FR – Le Bikini
Aug 9, 2026 – Queens, NY – Citi Field*
* supporting My Chemical Romance