It seems like everyday I read a new think-piece or drab facebook status about how rock is dead. Yet, half of the reason I’m still going with this here blog and life in general is because of getting to see rock bands like Franz Ferdinand put on great rock shows that prove that the genre is anything but dead.
On June 6 they performed to a sold out crowd at Warsaw, as a part of an intimate Governors Ball after dark performance, just one day after performing at the festival.
A lot has changed for Franz Ferdinand since the last time I saw them, three years ago at Hammerstein Ballroom. Sadly founding member Nick McCarthy has left the band for now, but may return sometime in the future. His presence was strange and missed, but I do have to say that the addition of former 1990s member Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie (better known as Miaoux Miaoux).
Franz didn’t waste time reminding the high-energy crowd why we fell in love with them in the first place, opening with “Jacqueline.” This was a fresh start for Franz Ferdinand 2.0, but what better way to show fans you’re still the same band by opening with the same track that opened on their triumphant debut album.
From there they gave fans what they wanted, basically giving us a set full of their (many) greatest hits from all eras (“The Fallen” “Ulysses,” “The Dark of the Matinée,” and of course, “Take Me Out.”) It was odd seeing Franz without McCarthy, but I do gotta say that both Bardot and Corrie fit right in, and the additional member gave them an extra boost.
But they also used the chance to test of out four new songs (“Paper Cages,” “Lazy Boy,” “Huck & Jim” and “Always Ascending”). The latter, “Always Ascending” was a particular standout that I can see opening the new record, whenever it does come out (early 2018?).
Franz Ferdinand are still as much of a live force as they’ve always been, giving me a quick reminder of why rock and roll will never die when bands like this are firing on all cylinders. This was easily one of the best shows I’ve seen so far this year and I’m already itching to see these guys again as soon as possible.
Find the setlist posted below, along with the setlist.
Franz Ferdinand Setlist:
1. Jacqueline
2. No You Girls
3. Paper Cages
4. The Dark of the Matinée
5. Do You Want To
6. Walk Away
7. Stand on the Horizon
8. Lazy Boy
9. The Fallen
10. Michael
11. Huck & Jim
12. Take Me Out
13. Ulysses
Encore:
14. Always Ascending
15. Darts of Pleasure
16. Love Illumination
17. This Fire
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