Nashville was lucky lucky, oh so lucky to experience Franz Ferdinand’s spectacle at The Cannery Hall on October 10th, 2025. The venue filled up quickly, fans full of anticipation and excitement. Nashville fans were waiting since 2018 to see the Scottish band, and as a fan myself, I can say the wait was worth it.
London’s sly rapper-lyricist Master Peace warmed up the floor, delivering a vibrant and kinetic set. His lyrics landed with directness, riding beats that leaned between alt-pop and rap, alongside amazing guitar riffs. As the performance progressed his stage presence became more vibrant, and he conducted Nashville fans to dance, jump and enjoy themselves. From his cover of Arctic Monkeys’ I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor to his latest release There’s No More Underground, Peace Ozekie delivered impeccable vocals. He even jumped into the crowd during a mid-set crescendo, drawing surprised smiles and a lot of energy.
When the main lights dimmed and Franz Ferdinand finally emerged, the crowd screamed and celebrated that the wait was finally over. Alex Kapranos strode onstage grinning, excited to hear the Nashville crowd. He was backed by the tight interplay of Bob Hardy, Dino Bardot, Julian Corrie, and Audrey Tait. The band opened with Michael, one of their first singles from their first album — old school fans were excited to see that song initiating the night. The band played a mixed set, and the blend of old and new works so often in their favor. Before the third song, something special happened: a voice cracked through the distorted roar, clear and insistent: “Do You Want To!” The chant, coming from a corner of the floor, was from an excited fan. Kapranos paused, grinning wide, and said something like, “Okay, I hear you — that one’s for you!”. The spontaneous re-map of their night, the band dropped a planned track and slotted in Do You Want To earlier than expected. The moment felt intimate and electric: the fan’s shout had become part of the show, and Kapranos theatrically dedicated the song to them, gesturing in their direction and inviting the crowd to sing along. You could feel the energy ramp up, and fans started dancing all around the venue. From there, the concert flowed through other highlights: Ulysses shimmering under stage lights, Evil Eye and Love Illumination offering more recent textures, and Black Eyelashes bringing a darker sonic sway that felt almost cinematic. Another highlight was their new song Hooked, when Kapranos invited Master Peace to join him, turning that show into a full party. Kapranos’ banter was warm, occasionally cheeky — he thanked Nashville for showing up, and said that moments like that night make the tour worthwhile.
For the encore, Franz Ferdinand returned with fresh vigor, slotting The Dark of The Matinee, 40’ and closing the night with an energetic rendition of This Fire. Kapranos invited all fans to get low, and when the song built up, everyone jumped and celebrated the energetic night.
What made the evening memorable wasn’t just the tight musicianship or the catalog of hit after hit — though both were outstanding — but the sense that the band was playing with the audience. To shift a setlist mid-concert in response to a fan’s call, and to dedicate the song in that moment, is a small gesture — but it carries an emotional weight. It told the crowd: “We hear you.” Franz left fans wanting more, delivering a 10/10 performance (on 10/10!). Nashville fans are hoping to wait less for the next spectacle, and they will be ready to rock it out with the Scottish band.
Photos: @notfakemaris
