Thursday, October 9, 2008

we saw: Franz Ferdinand

"Come and Dance With Me Michael"

(Photo by Bill)
I have to admit I haven't listened to, nor even really thought about, Franz Ferdinand in years. That said, when a friend offered me a ticket yesterday afternoon to their "secret show" at Music Hall, I couldn't pass it by. In retrospect I can't believe I inadvertantly fell out of lust with Franz Ferdinand for no real reason except that there has just been way too much good music released over the past few years.

I've been digging their new single "Lucid Dreams" on Sirius for a bit, so when we got to Music Hall and they were playing Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" (12" version?) and Prince, I knew things were going to get funky. And they did, real funky. Franz, which includes at least one Greenpoint resident, brought the neck slicing guitar funk last night and once they went into "Michael", Franz's gay disco "will you dance with me?" jam, I was instantly reminded why their debut was so killer, and sort of pissed at myself for neglecting You Could Have It So Much Better, which Charles constantly reminds me is criminally underrated. The band played a hefty load of new songs, most of which were straight jams, as well as a smattering of crowd pleasing hits of old. "Dark of the Matinee" was a pleasant trip down memory lane, but, for me, nothing was better than their closer, "This Fire", my absolute favorite Franz Ferdinand song, with the exception of their own remix of the song, "This FFFire." Unfortunately, I may have taken the "we're gonna burn this city" a bit literally, as I most definitely scorched the top of my mouth while gorging myself on Pizza after the show. Oh, the perils of Brooklyn life.

*Actual Setlist (via SoundBites)
Bite Hard*
Michael
Tell Her Tonight
Turn it On*
Dark of the Matinee
Send Him Away*
The Fallen
Kathryn Kiss Me*
Take Me Out
ULysses* |
40 Ft.
What She Came For*

Encore:
A New Thrill*
Outsiders
This Fire
(*New songs)

Short Clip of "Turn It On" from Last Night (shot by We All Want Someone To Shout For)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

McG,

"I want you...TO TAKE ME OUT."

Love,

McG Admirer

mimi said...

I can't believe I've forgotten how good their old hits are. How could anyone NOT like "Take Me Out?" That's like trying not to move any part of your body while listening to a Timbaland-produced track. Just not possible (damn him).

I'll probably check out the new album once it's out...but they're a little too samesies for me. Still had fun last night.

McG said...

mimi,

agreed. i totally forgot how great "take me out" is. The intro, and then the way those guitars burst open. a classic debut single for sure.

-McG

Anonymous said...

McG -
I can't believe people read your website.

That's totally weird

Love
McG HATER

Anonymous said...

"McG HATER,"

I will McKick your ass...perhaps on a rooftop following a day drinks on Sunday?

Hugs,

McG Admirer

McG said...

McG Admirer,

McG Hater wasn't invited to said rooftop gathering. No need to get hostile.

-McG

Anonymous said...

They actually played more than was on their printed setlist. Three songs in the encore, the first being a new one called "A New Thrill."

It's was a great, great show. Where you standing, McG?

McG said...

about half way back, left side, between michael and alex

Anonymous said...

McG,

I wasn't invited to "said rooftop gathering" myself. Did you need a date? I'd love to see you there or in the dark of the matinee...

Yours,

McG Admirer

McG said...

Of course, your invited. Would've received an invite if your identity was disclosed. hit me up