Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
The weathers been great for ducks these days and today was no different. It was lashing this evening in Belfast.
This does not dampen the spirits as for tonight’s entertainment we shall be seeing the Scottish and dapper Franz Ferdinand. Originating in 2002 the Glaswegian Franz Ferdinand consist of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Bob Hardy (Bass), Audrey Tait (drums, percussion), Julian Corrie (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals) and Dino Bardot (guitar, backing vocals). The band have been nominated for numerous awards including the Grammys, and winning Brit and NME awards. They reaped a number of big hits in the 2000’s with the contagious ‘Take Me Out’, the second single release brought them their first commercial success. Their debut self-titled album was released in 2004. The band have released six albums in total with the most recent ‘The Human Fear in 2025.
Supporting the headliners tonight is Home Counties a six piece hailing from Bristol. The band have released two albums, first ‘Exactly As It Seems’ in 2024 and the later ‘Humdrum’ in 2025. The band comprise of dual vocalists Will Harrison (guitars, keys) and Lois Kelly (keys). Joined by Conor Kearney (guitar, vocals), Dan Hearn (drums), Barn Peiser Pepin (synth, percussion, guitar) and Bill Griffin (bass, vocals). It’s impressive watching a gathering of such young musicians being multi instrumentalists. Home Counties deliver an energetic and danceable performance. As their set progresses the Telegraph Building begins to warm up with the dance beats complemented with the riffs and beating of the drums. The lively and jovial six piece played a mix of tracks from their two albums including ‘Bethnal Green’, ‘Humdrum’ and the anarchic yet cheery ‘You Break It, You Bought It’. Home Counties has the Belfast crowd bopping along to the beats.
The Telegraph crowd is dense and filled with excitement. As Franz Ferdinand take to the stage the Belfast welcome and roars are intense as the air is filled with nostalgic glee. The lads are well dressed in particular Kapranos who looks very debonair in his beautiful suit with a mustard shirt with pointed collar and stylish shoes. He carries an air of elegance and a swagger akin to Bowie or Brian Ferry. ‘The Dark of the Matinee’ kicks in and the crowd go wild. Kapranos, Corrie and Bardot gracefully jump in time to the beat and the atmosphere is electric. Kapranos is captivating to watch live as he majestically jumps and sways to the music. He has the moves of a classical dancer and oozes the charisma of Mads Mikkelsen. We sing along to the chorus with glee. Tonight has now officially started.
‘Day or Night’ sees Kapranos give away his guitar to a crew member so he can entertain and enthral the crowd with his gestures and jumps. The Scottish singer can fair work a crowd and yes Mr Kapranos “we are addicted to you”. We clap along with the frontman as the band members are clearly having fun and are as involved in the stage antics as their lead singer. Kapranos takes his guitar once again to join his friends in the guitar outro. Tait relatively new to the band, looks very comfortable behind her glittery drum kit whilst sporting glittery shoes. She pounds on the drums and cymbals whilst possessing an air of cool and casual. ‘Walk Away’ and the catchy ‘No You Girls’ continues on with the reminiscent hits of the colossal Franz Ferdinand.
Hardy exhibits his bass prowess with thumping basslines – he remains stoic throughout the performance but that’s ok the man hold his own with his chilled yet groovy performance. Bardot and Kapranos delight with funky riffs. The Telegraph are overjoyed and very engaged. Kapranos comments on how cold he felt first walking onto the stage – which possibly explains a crew member strategically placing a hot beverage beside his mic stand before Franz Ferdinand took to the stage. The singer is no longer feeling the cold due his energetic routines. We are then treated to ‘Audacious’ the first of tonight’s offerings from the newest album ‘The Human Fear’ released in 2025. It starts with a contagious distorted riff accompanied by Kapranos suave vocal style.
The chorus is a captivating ditty which has us all singing in unison with the Scottish legends. Kapranos has us clapping and waving our arms throughout the set it feels as if we are at one with the beguiling Franz Ferdinand in this mesmeric experience. ‘Do You Want To’ sees the older amongst us (myself included) forgetting about the aches and pains and jumping like we are twenty years younger. The crowd was on fire and “do doing” along to the infectious tune. Bardot’s solos were immense. I’ve always loved this track but witnessing it live just takes it to another level. The guitarists jump along to the beat of Tait’s pounding drum beats. The band eek out the final lines “You’re so lucky” like a tease and have us eating out of their Scottish hands.
A Baglamas from Piraeus is produced for Kapranos as the band lead into ‘Black Eyelashes’ from the 2025 album The Human Fear. It’s an exquisite song delving into Kapranos Greek heritage with a magnificent melody with Kapranos singing parts of the song in the native language. It’s clearly sentimental for the singer as his bandmates and the Belfast audience revel in the ambiance. Taking it up a few notches is the formidable ‘Take Me Out’ which raises the crowd decibels to a new level. The crowd are euphoric and jumping as are the lads on stage. Tait and Hardy are a rhythm machine on bass and drums. We are sweating from an evening of bouncing and singing our hearts out. ‘Outsiders’ is a spirited number which again has us chanting along with the chorus and charismatic Kapranos, Corrie and Bardot. The lads put down their instruments to take up a drum stick each and bash the cymbals of Tait’s kit to bring the banging track to an end.
The band departs the stage and the Belfast crowd shout for “one more tune” with cries of “ole ole ole”. Franz Ferdinand reappear for the encore with Kapranos asking if we would like one more tune, the roars of pleasure are resounding. ‘Hooked’ is seductive with strobe lights, high octane dance beats and memorable chorus. Tait’s beats are pulsating through the Telegraph building. ‘Ulysses’ has us waving our arms in unison with Kapranos and chanting along to the virulent lyrics. The band are tight and more importantly having an absolute blast, as are we!! ‘Love Illumination’ sees Kapranos climbing up two stairs to Tait’s raised drum area. The crowd sing along to the guitar air. Corrie has not only provided mesmerising keyboards tonight, his vocals are a perfect accompaniment to Kapranos.
The final tune tonight is ‘This Fire’ which Kapranos introduces his colleagues as they open the track – the powerful Tait closely followed by the riff-tastic Bardot, then the thumping bass of Hardy, the harmonic keys of Corrie with Kapranos finally introducing himself then stating “We are Franz Ferdinand”. The crowd chant along to the searing lyrics and chorus with prompts from Kapranos who extends out the mic to the eager active crowd. Kapranos encourages the crowd to “take it down – take it right down”. Of course we oblige as much as the old joints allow. It’s an experience seeing the Telegraph lower themselves to a miniscule huddle and then jump up high as the Scottish rockers blast out the scorching chorus. What an absolute buzz and a way to end a fantastic night of exhilarating music.
The musicianship in Franz Ferdinand can only be matched by their sheer enthusiasm and ability to connect and engross their audience. Tonight’s show was electric and promoted participation and utter nostalgia. The newer tunes are spectacular and fitted in perfectly with the bands repertoire. Franz Ferdinand definitely are a band not to be missed – they are comparable to going to an amazing party and not wanting to leave.
Photography by Darren McVeigh
