November 17, 2012 20:50

Franz Ferdinand play first Glasgow show in almost four years

Band play intimate hometown show in front of fans, friends and family

Photo: Photo: Debbie Hickey/Studio Ten Photography/www.debbiehickey.com

Photo Gallery: Franz Ferdinand
Photo: Debbie Hickey/Studio Ten Photography/www.debbiehickey.com

Franz Ferdinand played their first hometown show in almost four years last night, marking the 10th birthday of Glaswegian cafe-cum-venue-cum-record shop Mono with a short set in front of just a couple of hundred fans, friends and family.

Following support slots from local acts Muscles of Joy and RM Hubbert, Franz - whose untitled fourth album is due out early next year - played a raw, stripped-back set that recalled their early days in the infamous Chateau, the Glaswegian art-space where they played their early gigs. Opening with 'Take Me Out', the atmosphere was celebratory from the off, and though the band didn't say much, did take the opportunity to congratulate Mono's owner, Craig Tannock, on the venue's 10th anniversary.

"Before we came over tonight I was talking to some friends," said frontman Alex Kapranos, "and I realised it's not just ten years since Mono opened, but it's been 21 years since Craig first let me put on bands in what is now the [Glasgow venue] The 13th Note. A lot of people in bands or connected with bands have had an easier time because of Craig Tannock."

Watched by fellow Glaswegian indie luminaries like Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch and Sons & Daughters, the ten-song set was largely comprised of the band's biggest hits from their first three albums - 'The Dark of the Matinee', 'Do You Want To?' and 'Ulysses' all got airings - but also included three new songs, as well as a surprise cover of Dr. Feelgood's 'Roxette'. The new songs, particularly the Orange Juice-esque 'Stand On The Horizon' hinted at a return to the aesthetic of their self-titled debut, following 2009's synthesiser-heavy third album, 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand'. Another, titled 'I'll Never Get Your Bullet Out Of My Head' seemed to reference 'Dawning', a song by guitarist Nick McCarthy's side-project Box Codax.

The set was just 40 minutes long, and climaxed with their 2003 B-side 'Shopping For Blood' - with the band declining to return for an encore, despite the crowd's exhortations.

Franz Ferdinand played:

'Take Me Out'
'Tell Her Tonight'
'Stand On The Horizon'
'Matinee'
'Do You Want To?'
'Roxette'
'I''ll Never Get Your Bullet Out Of My Head'
'Trees And Animals'
'Ulysses'
'Shopping For Blood'

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