Shetland-Music.com

It was the gig of the year and no mistake. World conquering Scottish indie legends 'Franz Ferdinand' live in your local community hall - surely there must be some mistake???

But no this was for real as the chart-charging band rounded off a short Scottish tour in Shetland's Whitenss and Weisdale hall in front of four hundred fired-up fans - twice in one evening no less.

The band were fulfilling a promise made to local promoter Davie Gardner almost four years earlier that they would at some point perform in Shetland, having had to cancel a gig there when things took off for them internationally on the back of their first single and album release.

"Its amazing it happening now and in this particular way" said Davie. "I suppose it was a disappointment at the time when they had to pull the first gig, but this has more than made up for it, especially given the fact they are still at the height of their fame and game so to speak".

400 lucky audience members totally agreed, well 800 in fact, given than the band had performed a 'matinee' concert earlier in the evening for an under 18 audience, immediately prior to the main gig, leaving all proceeds from that event to a local drugs charity.

The audience was not limited to Shetlanders only though, with record company reps from London flying in for the event and the national media arriving to report on the unusual musical goings on.

Perhaps the most committed fan though had flown in from Manchester specially for the gig earlier the same day, and she didn't even have a ticket when she arrived in Shetland. Valerie Charlton spent over £700 making her way to the islands in the hope of seeing the band perform there - and she ended up being able to buy a ticket from one kind punter on the door no less.

"I suppose it was just a whim" she said. "I'd seen the band in Aberdeen earlier on the tour and then thought, well why not, so here I am". It was amazing. I got a ticket and then got to meet the band in the pub afterwards as well".

Was it worth the money and hassle to get here for the gig then? "You bet" said Valerie. "I wasn't sure at the outset, but thought I should give it a go. The way its turned out I would now have paid twice as much for this experience. Everybody in Shetland has been so helpful and friendly, its a great place and what a night!!!"

Local Shetland band 'Black Bic Biro' provided the support for the main gig, apparently completely un-phased by the whole experience and looking as if they were enjoying themselves throughout their short set. "It was amazing" said frontman Reuben Quinn. "Its been a great experience doing the gig. We were so delighted to get the support slot, and to be able to release our debut EP on the same day has just added to everything. The Franz Ferdinand guys were great too, really down to earth and very kind to us into the bargain".

Gig of the year? Few would argue we suspect.

For a review courtesy of the Daily Record - Click Here

For a review courtesy of Shetland News - Click Here

For a review courtesy of the Shetland Times - Click Here

For an article on Black Bic Biro courtesy of Shetland News - Click Here