Franz Ferdinand - (With Albert Hammond Jr), Albert Hall, Manchester, 13/2/2018
by Harry Sherriff
published: 26 / 3 / 2018
intro
Harry Sherriff watches Glasgow indie stalwarts Franz Ferdinand play the Albert Hall in Manchester at their first UK gig in support of fifth album ‘Always Ascending’.
This was my first gig at the Albert Hall, Manchester and I’ll be returning to many more. I had heard a great deal of praise for the venue and after seeing two classic indie artists strut their stuff on this particular stage I can see why. The former Wesleyan chapel almost in the round is beautiful, a cool temperature and a unique intimate space. I was surprised that an act as notable as Albert Hammond Jr. was playing support for Franz but they must be friends from way back when indie music felt of National importance. The new songs passed me by but it was a pleasure to finally here my favourite tracks off his first album ‘Yours To Keep’. I was especially impressed by Hammond Jr’s live falsetto! You can clearly see why he felt the need to step away from The Strokes to fulfil himself in a different way creatively. When Franz Ferdinand’s eponymous debut album was released in 2004 I was 16 and songs like ‘Jacqueline’, ‘Tell Her Tonight’, ‘This Fire’, ‘Michael’ plus of course ‘Take Me Out’ made one hell of an impression. Who could forget the latter’s trippy, ahead of its time music video? We’re nearly 15 years later and you can say with some objective distance that it’s iconic and so are Franz Ferdinand. They are of their time and that is why I was so excited on the way to the city centre venue. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately the songs have definitely aged better than their creator Alex Kapranos, who now looks like the love child of Nick Cave and Jim Jarmusch. Still incredibly lean but this time with mad, bordering on white hair. Alex who is 46 this month still has some serious moves and throughout the gig it was interesting to see the pendulum swing from cool to cruise ship entertainment. Like Albert Hammond Jr. the newer material was greeted with trips to the bar or a loo break but those singles mentioned above got the whole place moving to the point where the safety of the chapel crossed my mind! The most memorable moment of the night came in the encore with what felt like a nine minute, theatrical, crowd involving epic version of This Fire. I was disappointed that the Scots didn't play 2005 hit ‘Eleanor Put Your Boots On, which is a personal favourite but it was clearly missed off in favour of the all-important new material. The new album is called ‘Always Ascending’, which their most passionate fans would argue I’m sure, but Franz Ferdinand will always have a soft spot in my heart. Photographs by Marie Hazelwood http://mariehazelwood.tumblr.com
Also at Albert Hall, Manchester
Band Links:-
http://franzferdinand.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/officialfranzferdinand/
https://twitter.com/Franz_Ferdinand
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Hammersmith Apollo, London, 9/3/2009 |
At the Hammersmith Apollo in London, Rachel Williams watches Franz Ferdinand play a storming set of past and present glories |
Astoria, London, 5/5/2004 |
photography |
Photoscapes (2018) |
Marie Hazelwood photographs Glasgow indie/dance rock group Franz Ferdinand at a gig at the Albert Hall in Manchester, the first in a series of UK dates to promote their new album, 'Always Ascending'. |
reviews |
Blood (2009) |
Turbulent dub reworking of Franz Ferdinand's recent 'Tonight : Franz Ferdinand' album, which finds the Glaswegians stretching imaginatively in a new direction |
No You Girls (2009) |
Tonight : Franz Ferdinand (2009) |
Ulysses (2009) |
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005) |
Franz Ferdinand (2004) |
Take Me Out (2003) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart