Franz Ferdinand at the Regent shot by Danielle Gornbein

Downtown LA was dazzled by Scottish alt-rock band, Franz Ferdinand this past Monday night. Their first U.S. tour in nearly three years, the band were thrilled to take the stage in Los Angeles and give their adoring fans one helluva show!

But before Franz Ferdinand took the crowd by storm, friends from Atlanta, Georgia, OMNI, got the crowd warmed up. This band exudes a strong sense of nostalgia inspired by the ’70s and early ’80s. The energy in the room absolutely seemed fitting for a sold-out crowd awaiting the men of Franz. The trio is comprised of drummer, Billy Mitchell, ex-guitarist of Deerhunter, Frankie Boyles who actually began this band after leaving, with friend, Phillip Frobos (singer and bassist). With a tightly wound sound, these guys jam with such a fiery rigor and purpose.

Franz Ferdinand at the Regent shot by Danielle Gornbein

With stinging cheers bouncing off the walls of The Regent, Franz Ferdinand made their way on stage. Frontman Alex Kapranos is without a doubt a rock star. Sharply dressed from head to toe with a leopard-print blazer and red alligator loafers, he didn’t come to mess around. Between bassist, Bob Hardy, and musician Julian Corrie on keyboard/synthesizer and guitar, the group’s sound couldn’t have been any more on point. This also serves as the band’s first tour without founding member and guitarist Nick McCarthy, who left last year due to family commitments. The night didn’t suffer and proved that Mondays don’t have to suck.

With quite the musical discography, Franz Ferdinand fully satisfied and performed all of the popular tracks that got them where they are, playing a beyond sold-out show after not having new music for three years now.

Franz’s popular hits “No You Girls,” “Do You Want To,” and “Take Me Out,” struck cords and got the crowd jumping up and down, singing along with Kaprano’s quirky and sexy lyrics. Did I mention yet how sexy Alex Kapranos is? Okay. I’m just putting that out there. Dare I say he serves up a Bowie-esque voice? Well, fans of various ages who’ve been listeners for quite some time were maybe with their partners or alone, either way were googly-eyed and smiling at every march and twirl he made on the stage. Without question, the show was one for the books.

Words & Photography: Danielle Gornbein