Franz Ferdinand @ Pop Recs Ltd, Sunderland 5.30 pm27.03.2014

Positive to see such a long queue outside of Pop Recs, with several of us wondering how we all could fit into the medium sized shop / venue all round good hangout. not really a shocker as the ‘Right Thoughts Right Words, Right Action’ album evidently made a healthy impact on all in the North East.

Franz Ferdinand played an abridged 35-40 minute set, probably another 30 minutes extra would be served out later tonight at the O2 in Newcastle. i dare say it was a lot more intense and personal at the Sunderland show, with no real stage, just a drum riser and a packed rectangle of nodding bodies treating earlier salvos, the sound of which was on the mark as busy guitar edged and vied with often syncopated, occasional tribalesque drum patterns along with the vocals all rang true though the PA. Franz Ferdinand are the latest high-profile booking for Frankie & the Heartstrings who, since opening Pop Recs in June last year, have brought acts including Badly Drawn Boy, Edwyn Collins, Maximo Park and Ross Jarman (The Cribs) to perform at the store. Dave Harper, drummer with Frankie & the Heartstrings, said: “This is maybe the biggest act we’ve had at the store and will be the band’s first time playing in Sunderland.”

From the new album songs like ‘Stand On The Horizon’ and  latest single ‘Bullet’ coupled ably with time honored classics Tell Her Tonight, ‘The Dark Of The Matinee’ with the a gusty rendition of ‘Do You Want To’ which shone bright, all were warmly received and enjoyed.  .

‘Stand On The Horizon’, which name checks Marsden Rock, pleased us locals. The gig was a  somewhat of a homecoming for lead singer Alex Kapranos, who grew up in Sunderland and South Shields before moving to Glasgow and launching a successful music career. All summed up with another “Come on Sunderland… I used to live here.” with the increasingly active sardine dance was propelled into a healthy cheer, could have been the 5 year hiatus since the band last ventured to the north East. To say the night was a success is an understatement, Franz Ferdinand serve indie-rock so very well, it’s alive, powerful, organic and efficient of a band that know a thing or two. A winning set if a tad lean. 8.9/10
Steve Janes

All FF live photos by Elaina Thompson