Franz Ferdinand: The Scots who brought the bouzouki to Glastonbury are coming live to Lycabettus

Following their explosive Glastonbury performance, Franz Ferdinand are preparing for a live show at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens on Thursday, September 11.

For the first time ever, the sound of the bouzouki echoed through the UK’s biggest festival as the band performed “Black Eyelashes”, a track with many Greek lyrics, written by Alex Kapranos as a love letter to Athens and its neighborhoods.

With a career spanning more than two decades, the Scottish rock band is gearing up for a big night with their loyal Greek audience—first introduced to them back in 2004 at the iconic Rodon Club.

It’s a chance for Alex Kapranos, the band’s Greek-heritage frontman, to wander the streets of the city that inspired “Black Eyelashes”, from their recent album “The Human Fear”. The song is a heartfelt tribute to rebetiko, featuring lyrics in Greek and the evocative sound of the bouzouki. A devoted admirer of Markos Vamvakaris, Kapranos participated in a tribute to the legendary rebetis at London’s Barbican Hall in 2015.

Who are Franz Ferdinand?

From their early days throwing underground parties in abandoned buildings around Glasgow, Franz Ferdinand have always brought a fresh, progressive spirit to rock. Formed in 2002, they quickly conquered the international music scene with their signature sound—a blend of rock, punk, and indie energy.

Their self-titled debut album in 2004, featuring the breakout hit “Take Me Out”, was a critical and commercial success. It won the Mercury Prize, two Brit Awards, and was nominated for a Grammy. Since then, the band has continued to evolve with albums such as “You Could Have It So Much Better” (2005), “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” (2009), and “Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action” (2013), always marked by melodic invention and lyrical sharpness.

In 2022, they released “Hits To The Head”, a compilation of their greatest hits – a chance to revisit their legacy and, in their own words, “let go of the past.”

A New Chapter: The Human Fear

Their latest album, “The Human Fear”, pulses with raw energy. “Fear is what makes you feel alive. Awake. Fear reveals our human nature. Our most defining moments are shaped by it – whether we accept, confront, or transcend it.”

At the heart of the band remains the creative bond between Alex Kapranos and bassist Bob Hardy – an idea born in a kitchen, later fueled by collaborators across Glasgow.
Keyboardist and producer Julian Corrie plays a significant role in shaping their latest work, while guitarist Dino Bardot and drummer Audrey Tait make their full-album debut, injecting new life into the band’s sound.