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Franz Ferdinand
Live At The Gardens, Melbourne
November 28
Franz Ferdinand electrify Melbourne with a career‑spanning set at the Royal Botanic Gardens, proving once again why they remain one of the most vital live acts of their generation.
Franz Ferdinand were last seen last playing in Melbourne in 2018, and the anticipation was unmistakable as the band took the stage under the stars at the Gardens. Local openers Teenage Dads and Delivery warmed the crowd with spirited sets, setting the tone for an evening of sharp riffs and infectious energy.
The band launched into ‘The Dark of the Matinée,’ immediately commanding attention with Alex Kapranos’ swagger and precision. ‘Night Or Day’ and ‘Walk Away’ followed, their driving rhythms pulling the audience deeper into the performance. By the time ‘Build It Up’ and ‘No You Girls’ arrived, the Gardens were alive with movement, every note delivered with relentless force.
‘Evil Eye’ brought darker textures before the unmistakable opening of ‘Do You Want To’ sent the crowd into a frenzy. Voices rose together chanting “Lucky, lucky, you’re so lucky,” as Kapranos settled into the moment , asking “tell me, how am I feeling?” before confessing, “Melbourne you’re sounding so fine tonight!” It was a communal eruption, the kind of connection that defines Franz Ferdinand’s live shows.
The set surged forward with ’40’,’ ‘Right Action,’ and ‘Black Eyelashes,’ before the playful chaos of ‘Michael’ reignited the Gardens. ‘Love Illumination’ became a highlight, Kapranos proclaiming, “I want to see those hands in the air, I want to see those beautiful hands come together,” as the crowd responded in kind, turning the Gardens into a sea of raised arms.
The energy reached its peak with ‘Take Me Out’, the anthem that remains their most explosive live moment. Kapranos then leaned into Melbourne’s energy, declaring, “I love that Melbourne energy. Would you like to take that energy higher?” before launching into ‘Hooked’, a perfect segue into the closing run of ‘Outsiders.’
As the band prepared for the encore, Kapranos teased the crowd: “Who said one more song? I’m afraid I have really bad news for you, because I have the names of four more songs for you.” The Gardens erupted as ‘Audacious’, ‘Darts of Pleasure,’ and ‘Evil and a Heathen’ carried the night toward its finale. ‘This Fire’ closed the show in a blaze of sound and light, leaving the audience breathless and exhilarated.
The lighting design was sublime, casting the Gardens in shifting hues that mirrored the band’s dynamic sound. It wasn’t just a concert—it was an immersive experience, where sound and vision fused to transport the audience into Franz Ferdinand’s world.
Franz Ferdinand’s Melbourne return was more than a performance; it was a celebration. A reminder of the enduring power of rock and roll to unite, uplift, and ignite.
Words and images by Joshua Braybrook
