Franz Ferdinand Live Light Up The Brisbane Night
- Tiffany Cooper
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
FRANZ FERDINAND + TEENAGE DADS + DELIVERY
Riverstage, Brisbane | Saturday 29 November 2025
Words by Tiffany Cooper
Photos by Alec Smart
What a beautiful night under the stars—finally, no rain—and the perfect setting to see one of the most consistently classy and tight bands to emerge from the 2000s: Franz Ferdinand.
But first, opening to a slowly sauntering audience, Delivery prove to be quite the surprising treat. Often the first band is little more than background noise while people queue for booze and loos, but not tonight — Delivery carry themselves with confidence and a tight set of songs that quickly pull everyone’s attention toward the stage.
Victorian up-and-comers Teenage Dads are next, and wow—what an introduction. They hit the stage with the confidence and polish of seasoned professionals, working the crowd effortlessly while delivering sharp, energetic originals.
Their surprise cover of The Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star' becomes a crowd-pleasing highlight. And then there’s Billy—a young fan attending his very first concert after traveling six hours with his family. Teenage Dads invite him to help rally the audience to their feet, and to everyone’s delight, it works. It’s a wholesome, electric moment that the band—and Billy—won’t soon forget. Teenage Dads are fantastic, and absolutely worth a deeper listen.
At 8:30pm, Franz Ferdinand take the stage and instantly remind us why they’ve remained a favourite for two decades. They open with 'The Dark of the Matinée' from their iconic self-titled debut, landing every note with crisp precision. The sound is flawless, the vocals powerful, and the energy contagious. They follow with 'Night and Day' from their latest album The Human Fear, which stays true to the band’s signature sound without drifting into unfamiliar territory—a smart move that keeps long-time fans grounded while still offering something new. Alex dedicates a song to Billy, the kid who travels six hours to get to the concert. It's pleasantly surprised to see how many children are at the show. Good to see they’re listening to their parents’ music.
From there, the night becomes a tour through their catalogue of classics: 'Do You Want To' and 'Walk Away' from You Could Have It So Much Better, the electrifying 'No You Girls', the always-beloved 'Jacqueline', and newer tracks that slot seamlessly between the hits. Alex Kapranos commands the stage with his trademark charisma, encouraging the crowd to sing, dance, and let loose. The band are tight and energetic, every note sharp and intentional.
Franz Ferdinand live
And then it happens—the unmistakable opening riff of 'Take Me Out', The entire place erupts. Even my sidekick, Malcolm, who is famously motionless at concerts, can’t resist a bit of movement. That’s the power of Franz Ferdinand.
After two more tracks, 'Hooked' and 'The Outsider', which end with the band gathered around the drums for a perfectly synchronised percussive moment, they leave the stage to chants of "ONE MORE SONG!" They return not with one, but with four: '40', 'Build It Up', 'Ulysses', and finally the explosive 'This Fire', sending the crowd off on a high.
Between the band’s exceptional musicianship and Alex’s cool, swaggering presence, it’s a phenomenal night—one that leaves us completely satisfied and buzzing long after the last chord.
Even the surprise bus stop closure on the way home (with nothing but a tiny sheet of paper as warning) can’t dampen our spirits. A small hiccup in an otherwise unforgettable evening, and a reminder that great concerts leave you smiling long after the lights go down.
