29 November 2025 – Riverstage, Brisbane – words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi – pictures by Bec Harbour
“No Scotland, No Party”: Glaswegian band Franz Ferdinand certainly brought that reality to Brisbane’s Riverstage.
The humidity was extreme as I trekked to Riverstage to line up for a night of indie pop-rock. Shade was at a premium waiting in line to get in to the venue. The sound checks were great, and those who were early to the line, got to hear what the crowd were going to get over the evening with Delivery, Teenage Dads and Franz Ferdinand warming up in style.
The evening commenced with Melbourne band “with one Queensland band member” Delivery. The band has a dynamic energy with their do-it-yourself ethos with an edgy rhythm driven sound with sharply melodic guitar angles and tangles. Delivery comprises of Rebecca Allan (bass), James Lynch (guitar), Jordan Oakley (guitar), Scarlett Maloney (guitar) and Liam Kenny (drums).
Delivery has a bruising rollercoaster style of jittery indie garage rock guaranteed to get the party started. And that’s just what the band did with their 7-song set. The band commenced their set with three songs that were performed with vocalists mixing up the leads and sounds. Rebecca Allan led the vocals to start with their first track and then it swapped to James Lynch for the second song. It was great to see that all band members shared the singing duties.
Delivery – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
Through the songs ‘New Routine’, ‘Umami’, ‘Like A Million Bucks’ and ‘What For?’ the band concentrated on staying tight until song 6. The band, then shouted out to Billy who had travelled six hours to attend his first ever gig before declaring “let’s kick loose” with some big synths hitting hard with a real party track. The one small criticism of the set was the band did not let us know the names of their songs and they didn’t introduce themselves. And, we in the crowd, did want to know.
After a short break as instruments were changed over, and I prayed for a breeze, and for any lurking storms to stay away, as we all melted in place – waiting.
The lights went down and dark as an intercom message from an airport boarding call ushered the Teenage Dads onto the stage at Riverstage. It was a very clever way to bring their set together into a clear short sharp burst of indie pop-rock swagger.
Teenage Dads: Jordan Finlay (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Connor McLaughlin (guitar), Vincent Kinna (drums) and Angus Christie (bass guitar) have a jaunty pop-punk edge that hyped up their high energy delivery as they really warmed the crowd up for Franz Ferdinand. They also looked great with the mostly white tops and they sounded great with their playful guitar tones and very good-looking drummer. They were totally engaging as the band played up to the crowd.
Teenage Dads – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
The genre-bending Melbourne based band started their 9-song set with the thematic link ‘Boarding Pass’. The Teenage Dads moved quickly into their songs ‘Tale Of A Man’, ‘Speedracer’ and the fabulous ‘Boyfriend’ that had the girlies in the crowd squealing. If they hadn’t won over the crowd with their thematic style, their control of the stage and pop-rock sounds: then the cover of Trevor Horn’s smash hit ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ had it in the bag! It was unhinged, wacky and so enjoyable.
The band engaged the crowd with entertaining chat, there were questionable dance moves and that very clever intercom airport/plane messaging to the next level of winning us over. The crowd loved it! The front man Jordan Finlay lets his effervescent persona shine through the delivery of their songs, cracking jokes and engaging with the crowd. The set was a mix of bangers as the band moved into songs ‘Live Until You Die’, ‘Hey Diego’ and ‘Teddy’ that were welcomed with open arms by the Riverstage crowd.
The individual personalities of each band member were evident. Bassist Angus Christie busted out some moves as he flirted with the crowd, lead guitarist Connor McLaughin shredded away with expert precision and drummer Vincent Kinna expertly control the chaos. They closed out their set-in emphatic style with ‘Weaponz’. The Teenage Dads delivered a short set of pure entertainment. They play the Crowbar in December – I suggest getting along to see this fabulous band.
Then, the stage was stripped back, risers and stairs were put into place with an amazing drum kit placed for Franz Ferdinand drummer Audrey Tait. And, we crowd waited as setlists went down and the band’s Spotify playlist delivered their influences from David Bowie to Martha and the Vandellas. It was instructive!
Franz Ferdinand – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
For over 22 years Glasgow’s Franz Ferdinand have delivered their flamboyant indie pop-rock songs. The band have always had a flamboyant swagger about them as they deliver that signature guitar sound from those first songs like ‘Darts of Pleasure’ to their latest new album The Human Fear. The band: Alex Kapranos, Bob Hardy, Dino Bardot, Julian Corrie and Audrey Tait lit up Brisbane with their lo-fi indie disco soundscapes.
There was “no fear” here as the Scots opening their 15-regulation song set with indie pop gem ‘The Dark Of The Matinee’ and then quickly sandwiched in the fabulous ‘Night Or Day’, ‘No You Girls’ and ‘Walk Away’ before Alex Kapranos stopped to draw breath. He delivered a welcome to the crowd and stated: “We’re going to play a bunch of songs tonight” and there was another shout out to Billy at his first gig and wonder that you can travel such vast distances to see a gig in Australia. Then, the band kicked into gear, and serious crowd flirting, with the performance of the art school cool of ‘Walk Away’, ‘The Doctor’ and the first set highlight with the wonderful ‘Do You Want To’.
Franz Ferdinand – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
Franz Ferdinand really mixed up their set with their latest single ‘Audacious’, the fun ‘Evil Eye’ and the next set highlight with the nod to Greek folk music in ‘Black Eyelashes’ that was rapturously received by the crowd. Then, that first single ‘Darts of Pleasure’ was delivered. It was followed by the fan favourite ‘Michael’ is another masterpiece in indie-cool. By this point of the set, the crowd is near to hysteria, as ‘Love Illumination’ is played.
Then, Franz Ferdinand stopped the set and talked to the crowd. Alex Kapranos praised the crowd for their energy, the singing and the love. He, then, asked them to put those phones away and really live in the moment. The band set about a guitar riff tease and then delivered the killer two punches of ‘Take Me Out’ and the fabulous ‘Hooked’. The crowd were in indie rock heaven.
Franz Ferdinand – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
The songs ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘Hooked’ are simply sublime rock tracks. The last song of the regulation set followed and it was a reminder that one of Scotland’s finest bands has always been one with ‘The Outsiders’. The band gathered together at the end of the song on the drum kit and everyone smashed parts of the kit in that band signal of togetherness before they waved goodbye and left the stage.
After about two minutes, Alex Kapranos returned and he said: “I heard you asking for “one more song”. Well, we are going to play four more songs – is that alright with you”. The crowd exploded. The rest of the band returned and the first song of the encore ‘40’’ was played. Then, ‘Build It Up’ and the wonderful ‘Ulysses’ were performed. Franz Ferdinand closed out their performance with ‘This Fire’ and it sent the crowd completely wild.
Franz Ferdinand – Riverstage – photos by Bec Harbour
The band displayed an amazing 19 song performance of bravado without overbearing machismo as the shattered the Riverstage crowd. Franz Ferdinand showed how indie art pop-rock is done with style, swagger and substance – and they show no signs of slowing down.
