There is probably no more iconic venue in Sydney than the Sydney Opera House and the annual “On The Steps” concert series on its forecourt is always one of the most magical nights of the year for artists and audiences alike. This year, it was the turn of the Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand to grace the steps with a performance as part of their Australian national tour.

From the moment the band walked on stage with their instruments sparkling under the stage lights, the crowd that had filled out the venue greeted them with affection, cheers and high energy. They launched into the set with a pulsating and energetic opening, starting with “The Dark of the Matinée” and “Walk Away” as they captivated the audience from the start with superb vocals and instrumental energy. 

Interestingly, while the set was front loaded with a bunch of the band’s biggest hits, it was actually some of their newer material that really captured the audience. The power ballad off their latest album The Human Fear, “Audacious”, was one of the best songs in the set, capturing the audience as they put their hands in the air and savoured the richness of the guitars and Alex Kapranos’s vocals. While some of the other songs off the new album varied in their resonance, this was a special one. 

Throughout the set there was quite a rapport developed between the band and the audience, with Kapranos immediately saying “Thank you for making us feel so welcome.” 

It seemed that the band was also in awe of the beautiful setting around them, remarking, “Just turn around and look where you are.”

After a few more newer songs Kapranos faked out the audience by suggesting he would play “Take Me Out” before actually moving into the iconic song a few numbers later. The audience, who had been encouraged by Kapranos not to film the number and to enjoy the moment, really soaked everything up, gripping onto the lyrics and the music with passion and fervour as the band nailed every note.

After this the band returned for a lengthy encore, where they asked the audience “out of sheer courtesy” if they would like to hear some more songs, they closed out the night with “This Fire”, which was a wonderfully energetic way to end a superb night of music on a beautiful night under an iconic setting. 

Overall, this was a great spectacle and a fantastic night under Sydney’s cityscape. While some of the songs off the band’s latest album perhaps did not match the energy of their classic work, there were still a few gems on the new album which, combined with their iconic numbers, made for a great way to celebrate the band’s legacy in the music industry. It was a beautiful night in a magnificent setting and a wonderful occasion for everyone who attended.

Rating: ★★★★

Franz Ferdinand – Sydney Opera House Forecourt – 3rd December 2025