Review | Franz Ferdinand: Great gig, shame about all of the mobile phones
Currently touring latest album The Human Fear, Franz Ferdinand also perform a number of indie-rock classics from their 2004 debut alongside You Could Have It So Much Better, released the following year.
The new album, however, is the first to feature Julian Corrie on keys and live it certainly has the band edging towards a more electro-influenced direction.
Yet it is older hit The Dark of the Matinée that opens the set, and one that's welcomed with open ears among the older members of the audience.
Looking around the Guildhall and Franz Ferdinand are clearly a band who have built a wide fanbase during their 20-plus year existence, one that covers all ages. As such, the newer material is well received. Frontman Alex Kapranos controls the crowd during the likes of the pop-tinged Audacious.
From the moment the intro for their biggest hit, Take Me Out starts, the venue is a sea of mobile phones. It's probably my only complaint of the night, as I'm starting to appreciate why some groups are actively trying to discourage such behaviour.
Having said that, it's still an absolute banger of a tune, with one of the most recognisable indie-guitar hooks of the early ’00s. If anything, it is too early in the set, but followed with the pulsating bassline of Hooked from the latest album, Franz Ferdinand keep the momentum going until the very end.
The main set closes with all members of the band gathered around Audrey Tait’s drumkit, smashing the cymbals for an entertaining climax.
Kapranos walks back on with a cuppa in hand ready for the obligatory encore, seeming genuinely pleased to be in Portsmouth, reminiscing about playing Victorious Festival in 2017 before finally ending the night to the sounds of another fan-favourite – This Fire from that aforementioned debut.
Great gig, just maybe it's finally time to leave those phones in your pocket and enjoy the music by living in the moment.