Franz Ferdinand at De Roma - Dancing to The Human Fear

Lights on, cue a tune worthy of a 90s late night tv show as the band takes the stage of a beautifully restored old cinema; a very fitting entrance. A new wave high energy synth wraps around the crowd as The Doctor kicks off the night. A tight, punky, catchy song that has your head bopping from the first riff. Opening with a song that is fresh from the press is a bold choice, but it pays off!

Wasting no time, they dive into The Dark of the Matinee, a song that remains as theatrical as ever. Midway through, the audience is swaying in unison, arms swinging side to side. Kapranos is as magnetic as ever, a frontman who balances swagger and warmth in equal measure. He notices a sign in the crowd during No You Girls and he chuckles—“I sang the wrong words because I liked that sign so much!”. The sign reads “Hi Bob” and is a hit with bassist Bob Hardy.

The set was a well-balanced mix of old and new, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their infectious sound. Bar Lonely saw Kapranos engaging in witty banter with the crowd, while Walk Away brought theatrical drama with its melancholic crowd-pleasing chorus. The nostalgic synths of Everydaydreamer made for a dreamlike moment—could a good dream die? Not tonight.

Then came Do You Want To, introduced with a cheeky tease: “I had a good feeling when I woke up this morning, do you want to know what I thought about?” Cue the unmistakable riff, and the venue erupted. Audacious, a new single with a striking honesty, held its own among the classics, before Darts of Pleasure reminded everyone why this band first took the world by storm—Superfantastisch indeed!

Michael saw all three menacing guitars taking center stage, amplifying the raw energy of this queer anthem. And then, that unmistakable stop-start riff that defines every Franz Ferdinand gig rips thought the venue like a shockwave as Take Me Out sends fans at De Roma traveling 20 years into the past, fists in the air caught in a perfect moment of pure indie rock euphoria.

Hooked was a real treat as Master Peace, the opening act, joined the band on stage stage for an amazing collaboration (watch out for that one!). Closing out the main set, Outsiders loomed with its ominous chorus, leaving the audience hungry for more... and the band happily obliged.

The encore began with Build It Up, leading into 40’, where Kapranos had a moment of realization: “Apparently, I’ve been pronouncing it wrong, it’s not Antwerp, it’s Antwerpen” he laughed, instantly winning over the crowd even more. During The Birds we saw Kapranos test his abilities with a mandolin, before the night reached its climax with This Fire. As Kapranos commanded the crowd to go low, fans squatted down, waiting for the inevitable explosion. And when it came—"This fire is out of control!"—De Roma became a frenzied sea of jumping bodies all singing in unison “we gotta burn this city”.

For 90 minutes, Franz Ferdinand reminded Antwerp (excuse me, Antwerpen) exactly why they’re still one of the best live bands around. Their latest and 6th studio album The Human Fear is a refreshingly honest bold exploration into human existence thru the lens of fear worthy of a listen.

The chemistry of the band’s new composition is undeniable. Dino Bardot’s guitar work is razor-sharp, riffing off Kapranos with a sleazy, dance-punk energy, while Hardy’s stoic presence and tight basslines provide the perfect counterbalance. “The man who plays it all” Julian Corrie brings with him a synth-heavy playful sheen, while Audrey Tait on drums adds a unique fresh dynamic to a band that used to be a bunch of lads.

Some bands burn out. Others fade away. Franz Ferdinand, however, are still on fire two decades into their career. Their performance at De Roma was a reminder of the joy of live music, of the thrill of dancing to loud guitars and clever lyrics.

Laura Ballesteros