The gig was hosted by Factory International’s Aviva Studios in Manchester, the city home to Marr, making his appearance alongside the ‘Take Me Out’ rockers even more legendary.

Marr has impressive credentials during his time in the industry, not only as the guitarist and co-songwriter in the angst-indie group The Smiths during the 1980s, but his contributions to Modest Mouse, The Pretenders, The The, The Cribs and his very own solo career.

The appearance of the now 61-year-old at the Amazon Music gig was marked with excitement as the iconic guitarist graced the stage.

“Do You Want To”

One of the best @Franz_Ferdinand singled … and tonight with @Johnny_Marr at Aviva Studios Manchester pic.twitter.com/wbs2DUZUPS

— Altrincham HQ – Social Media Marketing in Manc (@altrinchamhq) January 18, 2025

The gig placed Franz Ferdinand’s sixth studio album ‘The Human Fear’ at the forefront, which released January 10. The group teamed up with Marr for a total of three songs on the night. The first being ‘Build It Up’, the fifth track from their latest release. Marr’s contributions to the live rendition of the track were electrifying and captivating, seeming almost effortless to the guitarist.

‘Build It Up’ was followed by ‘Do You Want To’, a track with almost 100 million streams on Spotify, which stands as the second track on the band’s second album ‘You Could Have It So Much Better’.  

Wow@Franz_Ferdinand and @Johnny_Marr at Aviva Studios Manchester “Bigmouth Strikes Again” pic.twitter.com/8iV1HgrJBu — Altrincham HQ – Social Media Marketing in Manc (@altrinchamhq) January 18, 2025

Perhaps the most unforgettable of the three tracks was saved to last, as the indie rockers covered a Smiths classic, ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’, from their iconic but provocative third LP ‘The Queen Is Dead’, released in 1986. During the collaboration Marr looked at home, as Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos and Marr bonded over their desire to create an unforgettable experience for the audience.

After Marr’s appearance alongside the band, the guitarist reminisced on the collaboration, writing on Instagram: “Love and best to my friends @franz_ferdinand for a great time and great show”.

 

 

 

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As the exclusive on-stage collaboration came to an end, the Scottish rock band commenced with possibly one of their most notable tracks, ‘Take Me Out’ from their 2004 debut LP of the same name. With it’s infectious instrumentation, gripping melodies and memorable lyrics, the band provided gig-goers with a performance rife with energy, despite being over 20 years since the track’s initial release.

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Although the gig took place at Aviva Studios, fans unable to attend were able to witness the show from the comfort of their own homes through livestreams on both Prime Video and Twitch, as a result of the concert being the latest edition of Amazon Music’s City Sessions series.

Franz Ferdinand setlist:

‘The Doctor’

‘No You Girls’

‘Night Or Day’

‘Walk Away’

‘Audacious’

‘Stand On The Horizon’

‘The Dark Of The Matinee’

‘Bar Lonely’

‘Love Illumination’

‘Build It Up’ (with Johnny Marr)

‘Do You Want To’ (with Johnny Marr)

‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ (with Johnny Marr)

‘Take Me Out’

‘Hooked’

‘The Birds’

Amazon’s City Sessions have hosted a number of intimate events across the United States and Latin America, giving viewers an intimate and unique experience to witness exclusive sets from some of music’s biggest and greatest artists. Amazon Music has welcomed performances from Kings of Leon, Glass Animals, Wallows, Nelly Furtado, Andra Day and The Black Crowes, prior to the announcement of Franz Ferdinand’s performance.

The upcoming event follows the recent release of Franz Ferdinand’s newest album, ‘The Human Fear’ which released last week (January 10). Hailing from Scotland in 2002, the Scottish rock band have become renowned for their stylish and catchy rock tracks with infectious beats. Their biggest and most notable hit ‘Take Me Out’, released on a LP of the same name in 2004, placed their name on the map as ones to watch. With their reputation in modern rock, it is no surprise Amazon Music will be featuring an exclusive set from the band given the recent experimentation present in ‘The Human Fear’.

Aviva Studios will host the event alongside their ongoing partnership with Factory International. Factory International are the prominent organisation behind Manchester International Festival (MIF) since 2007, a biennial programme which showcases work within the arts from creatives that are from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The upcoming event at Aviva Studios aims to develop dynamic venues and creative spaces across Greater Manchester, to establish the prominent presence of arts in future culture.

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Franz Ferdinand’s exclusive one-off performance at Aviva Studios for Amazon Music’s UK City Sessions will be streamed on Prime Video, providing viewers with an unmatched experience from the comfort of their own homes. The ‘No You Girls’ performers will no doubt treat fans to lots of well-loved tracks alongside new tracks from their latest release, ‘The Human Fear’.

This announcement comes as national efforts to support the UK music industry ramp up. Liverpool and Birmingham have both secured government funding to boost music-focused technology, while Spotify recently launched a grassroots funding initiative to help save fifteen small music spaces across the UK after partnering with Youth Music. With growing concerns about AI-generated music threatening artists’ livelihoods, Factory Sounds underscores the importance of investing in human creativity.  

STEAM Radio, part of the 2024 cohort earlier this year, exemplifies the programme’s impact. Based in Hulme, the community station launched during the COVID-19 lockdown and now hosts 80 presenters spanning diverse genres. STEAM provides a platform for emerging talent to established presenters, and everything in between, showcasing music from local artists to contributions from as far afield as Jakarta and Rio de Janeiro.

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Factory Sounds’ flexibility embraces both cutting-edge and traditional art forms. A 2022 recipient, Obeka, used the grant to create a soundscape album inspired by South American, African, and Caribbean influences. 2025’s programme will continue to champion diverse voices, supporting underrepresented artists, including those from the global majority, trans and non-binary creators, and those who identify as disabled or neurodivergent. 

Factory Sounds plays a key role in building upon Manchester’s storied artistic heritage. Named after the iconic Factory Records, the initiative also benefits from design input by Peter Saville, known for his iconic album covers, including Unknown Pleasures. Factory International’s mission is to fuel artistic ambition, offering space for innovation, collaboration, and experimentation in its home at Aviva Studios.

The Adidas Originals Creator Network North, another initiative under the Factory International umbrella, complements Factory Sounds by supporting young creatives across Manchester who are involved in visual arts. Participants receive mentorship from industry professionals, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and £600 bursaries. The six-month programme culminates in a collaborative showcase at Aviva Studios, offering participants real-world experience and a chance to build valuable industry connections.   

Aviva Studios itself is a landmark for the city’s cultural ambitions, supported by £7 million from Arts Council England and a £35 million sponsorship from Aviva Insurance. Over the next decade, it is expected to contribute over £1 billion to Manchester’s economy. It will host an exhibition of David Hockney’s work throughout December.

@factoryinternational Meet David Hockney – one of the most influential British artists of our time bringing his exhibition Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) to Aviva Studios Learn more abiut the legendary artist on Factory+ by clicking the link in our bio. #Art #ArtTok #EduTok #DavidHockney #LGBTQ #ImmersiveArt #ImmersiveExperience ♬ original sound – Factory International

Sam Malik, a 2022 grant recipient, summed up the programme’s value: “Receiving this support not only enabled my project but validated the need to support underrepresented musicians in Greater Manchester.” With this year’s expanded offering, Factory Sounds continues to reflect Manchester’s diverse population while paving the way for its artistic future.

The 2025 grants, open for applications until 20 January, invite written or video submissions. Applicants must outline their project plans, budget allocation, and previous work. Grants are available to a wide range of music professionals, from musicians and DJs to promoters and label owners. You can apply here.