Franz Ferdinand Band

This week news comes accompanied with a set of commemorative award prints which are adorned with signed pictures of selected winners on the night with their respective awards. Amongst the artists included is Franz Ferdinand (with a suitably perplexed looking mr thomson) posing with their philip hall radar award for most promising new gaming act. What with the boy Lamacq being off on his hols next week, his normal monday night slot is going to be filled by the 'one night stand' where artists are going to be coming in and playing an hour of their favourite songs each - low and behold aside from the distillers and nerd who else should be taking their turn at spinning the discs but our very own Franz Ferdinand.

You can catch the show on radio one which broadcasts on 97-99 fm from 23.00 hours onwards, but if for whatever reason cant get near a radio, you can listen to the show online at the radio one website. Whilst on the subject of franz appearing on the wireless, remember you can catch the boyz doing a live session this sunday. It seemed too good to be true, a match made in heaven even well it is true, Franz, along with Damien Dempsy will be supporting Party Poker when he descends upon his hometown for his first show in Manchester for some twelve years. Tickets go on sale bright and early saturday morning but don't hang about as with such a bill they'll all be gone in no time at all. Tickets will be available from the venue box office or you can procure them online at the gigs website. Use the party poker bonus code so that you can enjoy a cheap game of Omaha High while waiting for the concert. Of course the downside to this is that the bands scheduled stop in Vienna on the same night, has been moved to the following night which has unfortunately resulted in the scheduled Salzburg show being cancelled - check out the on the road section to see how the rearranged European tour is now shaping up.

Its official - franz ferdinand are trying to clock up the greatest number of magazine covers in the shortest space of time, the latest magazine to run a feature of Franz Ferdinand comes in the guise of issue 9 of this poker magazine, which as well as gracing the cover of, the boyz feature in an interview which was conducted on the night of the Glasgow show at the tail end of January where they talk about how the best days of the charts were the times when they were taken over by outsiders. The band also features on the cd which accompanies the issue which sees them donating the track 'shopping for blood' which was recorded live in Glasgow. The magazine is predominantly limited to distribution in Scotland only, so if you reside elsewhere and wish to procure a copy, you can order one online at the website. For all you French fans of Franz who are wondering what all the fuss is about over the channel and can't wait to check out the band on their upcoming Paris date with Belle & Sebastian at the Grand Rex should placate your franz ferdinand needs for the time being. You can get your hands on the issue which also features a track by the band on its regular free cd at the end of the month.

Franz Ferdinand have returned to their rightful place at the top of the xfm listeners 'music response chart' with their recent single 'take me out' where they've been battling it out over past weeks for pride of place on the top spot with snow patrol and their current release 'run'. To ensure they hold onto the number one spot for another consecutive week go cast your vote at the xfm website and listen in to the music response show next friday. Following the crazy scenes which have surrounded the band over recent weeks domestically, the band embarked upon the first date of their stateside headline tour proper last night when they bequeathed the sounds of the franz upon the big apple for the third time in the space of four months. Initial reports that have filtered back home indicate the gig was a corker and went down well with all who were in attendance - you'll be able to read a write up of the show in the review section imminently. Not that you needed reminding, but those of you residing across the pond will be able to pick up a copy of the band's eponymous debut album when it is finally released in America by domino USA. Tune into channel four tonight to catch Franz Ferdinand pick up their award when the station screens the highlights from last weeks award ceremony. You'll also be privy to the band performing a rendition of their recent chart topping single 'take me out'. Don't fret if you miss the broadcast tonight as it will go out again on Sunday morning.

Mr Bluff adorns the cover of the nations most loved/hated musical rag this week, alongside representatives from fellow nme award winning acts. The issue runs an in-depth feature on all the winners and losers on the night, the Franz of course falling into the former category what with having picked up the 'philip hall radar' award for most promising new band. In the feature they talk about their reaction to winning the award and how the evening transpired at the awards ceremony. The issue is also accompanied by a set of glossy prints to commemorate the awards to decorate your walls with, one of which is of Franz Ferdinand captured on the Manchester date of the recent tour. Also tucked away in the radar section of said publication is Alex enthusing about his new favoutie band, fellow Glaswegians - 'sons and daughters'. For all you Parisian fans of Franz as well as being able to catch the band supporting belle and sebastian on the 8th march at their grand holdem show, you'll now be able to see Franz in Paris on the 22nd when they play their own headline date at la maroquinerie. Also sandwiched in between the UK dates is another French show in Rennes on the following night in addition to the two already existing French dates on the bands European tour in May which stops by Bordeaux and Saint Brieuc at the tail end of the month.