FRANZ FERDINAND BRING SWAGGER, FUN AND CLASSIC ROCK TO SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE

Taking their iconic band name from Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the final trigger for The Great War, the Scottish rock outfit quickly dominated the charts with their Mercury Prize-winning debut album, followed by an Ivor Novello Award and x2 BRITs.

It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that Franz Ferdinand were the band at the forefront of ‘rock revival’ in the early 00’s, following The Strokes’ success overseas. Take Me Out has, more than two decades later, become a globally-recognised anthem with a sacred place in many hearts.

While the band has comfortably released a Greatest Hits compilation, they still push what’s possible with constant experimentation on their most recent album The Human Fear. With two sold-out nights at Shepherds Bush Empire, the Glasgow band triumphantly showed us what rock and roll is, in their albeit playful manner.

Supported by The Great Leslie and Master Peace, the evening was off to a flying start. Two incredibly talented upcoming artists before an indie legend. The Great Leslie were bursting with theatrics and an incredible alternate-rock version of Coldplay’s Fix You.

Whereas Master Peace owned his hometown, dancing around to his addictive tunes Wake Up and Start You Up. This rising star is fast becoming a favourite, known for his energetic performances.

Playing a solid 21-strong setlist, the group darted from hit to hit, mixing fan-favourites with new efforts seamlessly. Opener Night Or Day went down a storm, as did Build It Up, Black Eyelashes and Hooked, which was performed alongside support artist, Master Peace. The Alex Kapranos and Master Peace duo was a match made in heaven and a fun rendition which graced both nights at Shepherds Bush.

Keeping it real, the real moments came with their hits. And, there’s more than just a few. The crowd went into a frenzy for obvious contenders Take Me Out, Jacqueline and Do You Want To. All of which ignited large mosh pits, engulfing most of the stalls.

These felt like special memories for each and every person involved, a sentiment echoed by Kapranos earlier in the evening, saying ‘You’ll only be here once’ and laughing that ‘If you’re going to film it, don’t watch through your screen’.

Elsewhere, there was a real swagger about the full band on this night. Perhaps it was the follow-up to an already successful London show, or instead a well-oiled machine enjoying their position in the world of music. Either way, the quartet were on top form, bouncing around, pummelling their instruments and commanding the crowd with ease.

“Tonight, I feel like I somehow made it,” says Kapranos, as he reflects on always wanting to be a guest on Wogan’s television show, which happened to air from this venue. The band The universe has spoken, Franz Ferdinand has made it, and they’re now on a new path to even bigger things.

Setlist:

1. Night Or Day
2. Walk Away
3. Everydaydreamer
4. The Dark Of The Matinee
5. Bar Lonely
6. Do You Want To
7. Audacious
8. Evil Eye
9. Build It Up
10. Michael
11. Ulysses
12. Black Eyelashes
13. Jacqueline
14. Love Illumination
15. Take Me Out
16. Hooked (ft. Master Peace)
17. Outsiders
18. Cats
19. The Fallen
20. The Birds
21. This Fire

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