Franz Ferdinand at The Midland

Ever since their beginnings, throwing illegal parties in condemned Glasgow buildings, Franz Ferdinand have been defined by a fresh, unfading, forward-facing outlook. A transgressive art-school perspective, but with a love of a big song. A big riff. A big idea. Somewhat contrary. Unafraid to dance. Unafraid to think. Unafraid to fear.

Their sixth studio album, The Human Fear, courses with an energy that makes you feel very much alive. Fear makes you feel alive. Awake. A life without fear is a life asleep. Fear is what shows us our humanity. It’s why we search for it in horror films or extreme physical activities. The most life-defining moments are shaped by fear: acknowledging, accepting, or overcoming it.