Franz Ferdinand @ The Regent

Despite a long absence from the music scene, it seems as though Franz Ferdinand never really left at all.

The line wrapped around Main and 5th a few hours before doors were even open, proving FF are as relevant as ever. From start to finish, it was apparent to see prominent dedication from fans who have long awaited their hiatus to subside.

“Well Los Angeles it’s been a while since we’ve seen you,” Alex Kapranos addressed us donning a very fashionable leopard print blazer and longer locks. “All these years – all these miles from Glasgow, Scotland – to sing a song about memories of walking home from school in Glasgow, and hearing all you beautiful people in Los Angeles singing back. That’s really beautiful.”

Sounding just as fresh and spectacular as they did when they first made their impressive debut back in 2004 with their noteworthy self-titled album, Franz Ferdinand played a set focusing almost entirely on their earliest releases and fan favorites. A new album is surely underway.

While the recent departure of guitarist Nick McCarthy was well noted, the band was wholeheartedly embracing the chemistry among their newer members Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie or “the jewels in the crown,” as Kapranos addressed him during “Ulysses.”

Franz Ferdinand @ The Regent

Before playing “Stand on the Horizon,” Kapranos mentioned one fan in particular. “There’s a girl called Phoenix in the audience tonight. She’s very cool in her rock and roll pink dress and her rock and roll pink hair, and she’s a very generous girl. If you see her, tell her she’s cool.”

As the last note hit each song, we screamed and roared for more. The band happily obliged and continued to deliver monster hits like “Take Me Out,” “Michael,” and finishing the evening with “This Fire.”

Georgia trio Omni couldn’t have set a more perfect tone to the evening as they support Franz Ferdinand on their North American tour dates. The post-punk threesome, which includes ex Deerhunter guitarist Frankie Boyles, amped up the crowd with jammy bass lines from their debut album Deluxe, set for a July release.

Setlist:
Jacqueline
No You Girls
Paper Cages
The Dark of the Matinee
Do You Want To?
Walk Away
Stand on the Horizon
Lazy Boy
Love Illumination
Michael
Huck & Jim
Take Me Out
Ulysses
Always Ascending
Goodbye Lovers and Friends
Darts of Pleasure
This Fire