Franz of the Ferdi Nand
I have been graced with seeing many a good show this past month. Usually if I see a show, it is a random band at Rickshaw or some bar I have stumbled into and usually I roll my eyes a lil bit and wish that the dj would just come back. Luckily, Ronnie is one of those big show go-ers who knows just about every indie band out there. He has brought me to Ted Leo and The New Pornographers, which were both awesome! Last night however, I saw a show that was a gut-busting, face-melting ode to the Gods of music.
I first heard Franz Ferdinand around the time I had just gotten out of college on the radio. Their single was “Take Me Out” which I instantly loved. It took me awhile to get their album, but when I did I loved it even more and it lived in my car’s cd player. When they came to SF about a year ago, I found out too late to get tickets…but not this year!
These four Scots played at the Bill Graham which I had never been to. The first opening band was pretty good, the second opening band were terrible, but getting there that early allowed us to be only about 30 feet from the stage. Franz’s performance was simply invigorating. Each song was perfect. They put off such a strong blend of sound and seemed so comfortable with what they were doing, that they could have been just hanging out watching tv in their front room. There was no pushed stage jumps, no emo misunderstood pain, just good old rock and roll. The lead singer/guitarist, Alex Kapranos, blew me away. He was so confidant and radiated this sexual energy that made Kirst and I melt! He strut around the stage, would point to the audience and wink, played guitar while standing on one of the drums and did everything right. Not to mention that Scottish accent that gets most American girls. They alternated between new and old songs. Their new album “You Could Have it So Much Better” leaks out the same high energy as their first album. I was disappointed in the crowd. Of course most of them seemed to be around 18 with their parents…but STILL! How can you not dance to “Michael” or “This City?” But I guess they are still learning the world of shows.
Thanks Franz Ferdinand for the awesome experience. Below are pics of the band, Alex Kapranos and what the stage set looked like. (But this stage is in Seattle)
