FRANZ FERDINAND BRING CLASSIC HITS AND NEW SURPRISES TO EXHILARATING, SOLD-OUT WILTERN SHOW
Millennials and Gen Xers alike can rejoice - indie sleaze is alive and well in Los Angeles in 2025. Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand - arguably the godfathers of post-punk indie dance rock - returned to the City of Angels for their first headlining show in three years to play to a sold-out crowd at the Wiltern. This time, the band was promoting their sixth album, The Human Fear - the band’s first studio album since 2018. Despite the gap in new music, it felt like the Scottish lads easily picked up where they left off seven years ago, and the crowd accepted them with open arms.
Before Franz Ferdinand took the stage, the NYC-based foursome Telescreens - led by singer and guitarist Jackson Hamm- made a strong impression on the crowd of eager Franz fans. During only the second song, Hamm - who’s an LA native - encouraged everyone on the balcony to get on their feet and dance - a move that is often fruitless at shows but worked in this case. With a stripped-back garage-band essence and a heart-on-your-sleeve sensibility, Telescreens brought passion and earnest rocking to their set. Their song “Phone Booth” is a catchy headbanger in the vein of The Strokes and The Libertines. Telescreens are a promising young act that absolutely can and will be headlining their tour sometime soon; their stage presence and unabashed rocking make them an act you don’t want to miss.
With palpable excitement still in the air from Telescreens, Franz Ferdinand took the stage. He quickly reminded everyone present what many already knew: after more than 20 years as a band, Franz still totally rocks. Lead singer and guitarist Alex Kapranos dazzled in a black, sparkling dinner jacket, red shirt, and socks, smiling and engaging with the crowd as charismatic as ever. The band - now a quintet after many years of being a quartet - moved and played as one unit under a constructed arch and ascending risers as lights dazzled behind them.
In a smooth and professional move, the band jumped between new and old tracks with incredible ease - like opening with The Human Fear’s dance-y “Bar Lonely” immediately followed by their early instant classic hit, “The Dark of the Matinee.” Unsuspecting observers who might not know the band’s discography well would hardly be able to pick out brand new tracks from old ones; the sonic synergy between albums is so organic, with a clear throughline between each one, that they feel they all fit together. The band tore through back-to-back dance numbers “Everydaydreamer,” “Do You Want To,” “Audacious,” and “No You Girls” with incredible confidence that the audience couldn’t help but be delighted by each one, singing back lyrics flawlessly.
While energy remained high throughout the show, one of the more surprising and delightful moments happened when things slowed down during “Black Eyelashes.” The track, which appears on The Human Fear, features an exceptionally vulnerable shift for Kapranos, who not only sings several lines in Greek but plays a bouzouki - a six-stringed Greek guitar-like instrument. Kapranos, Scottish by birth but ethnically Greek through his father, explained on stage that the song is about exploring where you come from and all the feelings that come with that. As someone who is also ethnically Greek through my father, I found this song incredibly moving and exciting; it’s not often that a modern rock song combines plucky guitar and synthesizer with a folksy instrument like a bouzouki. Kapranos sang and played beautifully, marking an admirable new step in his songwriting that should be celebrated.
In the show's latter half, Franz Ferdinand proved they still have complete command of a crowd with an unforgettable rendition of “Take Me Out” followed by a staggering six-song encore. Deep cuts like “40’” and “Evil and a Heathen” were a pleasant surprise, while the newer track “Hooked” made a good argument for becoming a new instant classic with its infectious sing-along bridge and chorus. The band smartly skipped their usual closing number, “This Fire” (playing a song about a city burning down probably would not play well in Los Angeles now with the recent wildfires that tore through LA in January). Instead, it closed the show with a rousing drum circle and an extended rendition of the fan favorite “Outsiders.” Through a 90-minute show, Franz Ferdinand demonstrated that they’re still one of the greatest indie bands out there; while it would be easy for them to cash in on the nostalgia of their earlier records, they are still putting out fresh and exciting music. While other bands of their era are promoting anniversary tours, they are exploring new ground, bringing joy to audiences, and aren’t afraid to have a good time during hard times.
