Curated by Amazon Music, City Sessions is a captivating series that unites some of the world’s biggest musical acts for exclusive performances on intimate stages within one-of-a-kind venues. The latest to join the lineup are Franz Ferdinand, who took the stage at Manchester’s newly opened Aviva Studios – the vibrant hub for arts, music, and culture, and the home of Factory International. Spanning 60 minutes, the exclusive set was live-streamed on Prime Video and the Amazon Music UK channel on Twitch. We were fortunate to be there to experience the band up close as they seamlessly mixed fan favourites with fresh tracks from their newly released album, The Human Fear.
Aviva Studios is home to a variety of unique spaces, and Franz Ferdinand took to the stage in the stunning Hall, which is a beautiful theatre and concert space. Receiving rapturous applause before they’d even played a note, the band burst into ‘The Doctor’, with its frenzied energy setting the tone for what would be an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind show. The catchy ‘No You Girls’ followed, taking us back to 2009 with its catchy hook and witty lyrics, before the next new track – ‘Night & Day’ – was introduced. While The Human Fear marks the band’s most experimental work yet, the pounding drum beat, sharp piano riff and deep bass line of ‘Night & Day’ carries that unmistakable signature Franz Ferdinand sound that we all know so well, and Alex’s dynamic energy as he jumped and danced across the stage made it clear that the band are still having the time of their lives.
The emotive ‘Walk Away’ slowed the tempo, creating a moment of quiet intensity as Alex invited the crowd to join in on the chorus. Their participation transformed the song into an almost theatrical experience, heightening the connection between band and audience. This sense of shared energy was amplified during ‘Audacious’, where the crowd lit up the venue with their phone lights swaying in unison, adding a magical, communal feel to the bold, anthemic track about the fabric of existence coming undone around you. It’s unusual to see such a big reaction to new material, and based on the smiles plastered across the band’s faces, they were overjoyed by the warm reception.
The gentle guitar intro of ‘Stand on the Horizon’ smoothly transitioned the crowd back into high energy, effortlessly lifting the atmosphere as the song built momentum, before the instantly recognisable ‘The Dark Side of the Matinee’ took the lead with its sleek, danceable groove – its lyrics offering a stark contrast, as they delve into the hollow nature of societal expectations. The new tracks kept soaring, with ‘Bar Lonely’ – a danceable anthem that highlights the band’s evolution over the seven years since their last album. ‘Love Illumination’ followed, seamlessly building on the vibrant energy of ‘Bar Lonely’, with its infectious rhythm and upbeat, feel-good vibe that kept the crowd moving.
A couple of days before the show, the band hinted on social media that a special guest would be joining them, and they truly couldn’t have chosen a more fitting Manchester legend. Introduced by Alex as one of his heroes, Johnny Marr joined the band for three tracks – ‘Build it Up’, ‘Do You Want To’, and The Smiths classic ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’. Featuring intricate, twisting guitars, the funky ‘Build it Up’ was a standout, with Johnny’s wizardry elevating the track to new heights, and he made the raucous ‘Take Me Out’ look effortless, playing it with such ease that it seemed almost second nature. Covering a Smiths track is always a bold move, especially in Manchester, but ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ felt like a triumphant celebration. Alex’s soft vocals were a stark contrast to not just Johnny’s delivery when he performs the track solo, but also his jagged riff, creating a fascinating juxtaposition between the delicate delivery and the snarling intensity of the guitar.
As Johnny left the stage, it seemed impossible for the band to top that moment, but they effortlessly proved otherwise, launching into what’s undeniably their biggest hit to date, ‘Take Me Out’. They then wrapped up what had been an unforgettable night with two more tracks from The Human Fear – the synth-driven ‘Hooked’, which pulsed with energy, and the album’s spiky, post-punk closer, ‘The Birds’.
Before the band took their bows, they signalled for Johnny to join them on stage, and the humble guitarist eventually obliged. Just over twenty years since the release of their debut album, Franz Ferdinand are as brilliant as ever – continuously evolving while still delivering the goods with the same raw energy and magnetic presence that gained them success.
