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From left: Free Love, Franz Ferdinand, Metronomy
Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action [2013] – felt like a bookend. Then we had this cleanser in-between, FFS, which was so different to anything we’d done before which was very refreshing in its own way and really felt like a divide between the old band and the new band.’ FFS was Franz Ferdinand’s gloriously named collaboration with offbeat US pop act Sparks (aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael). A partnership you couldn’t have imagined in your wildest dreams but when you sit down and think about Franz Ferdinand working with Sparks it makes some kind of weird sense. Both embrace sharp intelligent pop, arch lyrics and meticulously constructed songs and melody. ‘We actually announced it on April Fool’s day so a lot of people thought we were taking the piss, especially with the name,’ laughs Kapranos. ‘It’s nice to surprise people and it’s what keeps it exciting for yourself, not to be always predictable and always meet people’s expectations.’
For the Concert in the Gardens, Franz are joined by two bands that also perfectly i t their sound and style. ‘We’ve played with Metronomy a few times before, I’ve known those guys since I saw them in King Tut’s years ago when they were i rst starting out. Free Love [formerly Happy Meals] are playing the slot we were supposed to play 15 years ago so it bodes well for them. I couldn’t want for a better line-up.’ Franz Ferdinand plan to rise to the occasion of playing such a big gig on a midwinter night. ‘We’re planning a really upbeat set, it’s going to be a set of bangers basically,’ says Kapranos. ‘There’s not going to be any deep dark contemplative navel-gazing, it’s about having a party and having a good laugh, keeping the energy levels high so no one can stay still long enough to get cold.’
Franz Ferdinand play the Concert in the Gardens, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Mon 31 Dec.
HOGMANAY
CHANGE YOUR TUNE Franz Ferdinand top the bill at the Concert in the Gardens (with support from Metronomy and Free Love) but there’s plenty more music to enjoy across Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations
SYMPHONIC IBIZA DJ Andy Joyce (Pacha, Amnesia, Eden and Café Mambo) teams up with a 20-piece Scottish orchestra for a unique classical take on the house and dance anthems that have made Ibiza the world’s biggest party island. McEwan Hall, Sun 30 Dec. BABY LOVES DISCO One for the little ’uns with this club ‘night’ for toddlers and kids featuring a mini ceilidh, face- painting, balloons, games and child-friendly tunes. BLD features a special live countdown to NYE (in Australia) on 31 Dec. Festival Square Spiegeltent, Sun 30 & Mon 31 Dec.
CANDLELIT CONCERT A more serene take on Hogmanay with a night of baroque and classical featuring St Giles’ Cathedral Choir with the St Giles’ Camerata and performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum, JS Bach’s Gottlob! Nun geht das jahr zu Ende BWV 28 and Magnii cat. St Giles’ Cathedral, Mon 31 Dec. GERRY CINNAMON The Glaswegian singer-songwriter tells stories about real life in Scotland and is a vocal supporter of the Yes campaign on single ‘Hope Over Fear.’ Other highlights across three stages at the Street Party include Judge Jules, the Mac Twins, Snap!, Vistas and Miracle Glass Company. Princes Street, Mon 31 Dec.
JIMI SHANDRIX EXPERIENCE If you prefer upbeat trad, folk and full-on Scottish dancing, head to Ceilidh Under the Castle where Jimi Shandrix Experience, Hugh MacDermid’s Hair and Ceilidhdonia provide the live music for a night of jigs, reels and whirls. Princes Street Gardens, Mon 31 Dec.
CAPERCAILLIE Keep the party going with one of Scotland’s most beloved folk bands and their blend of Gaelic, traditional and contemporary song. McEwan Hall, Tue 1 Jan. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 53