Come On Home

 

FRANZ FERDINAND returned triumphant at the Picture House, debuting material from their latest album, Tonight.

The anticipation was palpable. This is the first time the Glaswegian band has played in Edinburgh for over three years. Not only that, but this was the first official concert to promote the new material; in advance, even, of the album tour that kicks off in the early spring.

Anyone who has seen this band can tell you that the on-stage performance is never lacking. In comparison to the studio versions, the songs take on a harsher, faster, tone, giving the performance an element of punk that is less pronounced on the albums. And this was no exception; Franz lived up to their reputation as a brilliant act.

They opened with ‘Lucid Dreams, from the forthcoming album. All of the new material demonstrates a far more electronic sound, apparently evident throughout Tonight. This quickly segued into the arrogant and rollicking ‘Do You Want To’, causing the crowd to begin bopping with the enthusiasm that is reserved for bringing home an old, long-absent friend.

The high points of the concert were reserved for tracks from the band’s debut album, demonstrating their enduring quality. The band only played 55 minutes for their main set, before returning to stage for the brilliantly energetic ‘Michael’, and then ending with ‘This Fire’, sending the crowd into a frenzied mosh-pit.

Their new material does seem to lacking the edge that their previous albums held over all the other ‘4 men in suits playing fast guitar’ groups. But do not let that put you off: when it comes to Franz Ferdinand, seeing is believing. And, on the back of this performance, they will have a wonderful reunion with the old fans, but they may not claim any more to the cause.