Franz Ferdinand at Manchester Apollo Review

Anyone who thought they had put Franz Ferdinand firmly in their pigeon hole had better whip out that bird and have a rethink.

I did expect an edgier sound than the last time I’d seen them 3 years ago, due to their work with amongst others, DJ Erol Alkan, but seeing them at the Manchester Apollo, as part of their UK and international tour, very pleasantly surprised me.

The post punk angular guitars were thankfully still there, with all their familiar singles and favourites from their previous two albums included in their set.

Although “Matinee” and “Take me out” with their precise stomp and trademark sound will never bore or grow old, it was the songs from their latest offering, “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” which provided the bigger thrills. With more beats, bass and lots of keyboards, certain tracks wouldn’t sound of place in the middle of a club mix….although this was unfortunately wasted on a selection of the audience.

An added highlight was their cover of LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends”, which, with added Joy Division-esque synth’s, was in my opinion, better than the original.

Franz Ferdinand’s initial aim to make “music for girls to dance to” has been surpassed with music that makes almost everyone dance. An extended, electro-spectacular version of “Lucid Dreams”, with the help of their enormous screen and light show, closed the night perfectly.


The tour will run until the end of October in the UK and will continue in countries including Tokyo, Moscow, Vienna, and Barcelona until the end of the year. Dates for Brazil and the Dominican Republic are already being arranged for March next year although these are still to be confirmed…..lucky bunch aren’t they!

Cath Schwarz

• Date: Saturday 17th October 2009
• Event: Franz Ferdinand at Manchester Apollo
• Venue: Manchester Apollo

Tickets are no longer available for this event