Franz Ferdinand re-release single ‘Build It Up’ featuring Johnny Marr
Franz Ferdinand have re-released a new version of their single ‘Build It Up’, taken from their most recent album The Human Fear, which features Johnny Marr.
The former Smiths guitarist has joined the Glasgow band for a fresh cut of the song, which was released from their seventh studio record back in January this year.
Regarding the new collaboration, Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos said: “Johnny is an inspiration. Literally. I sat in my bedroom as a teenager trying to work out how to play his melodies. To hear his distinctive playing on our song is glorious. He’s elevated it in that way only he can.”
The release of the Marr collaboration is also paired with a live version of another track from The Human Fear, ‘Hooked’, which was recorded at the band’s gig at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow and features the artist Master Peace, who joined them on their most recent tour.
It comes as the band are set to make a return to the live circuit, playing the Other Stage at Glastonbury on June 27th.
Afterwards, they will tour around the world for the remainder of the year, performing at numerous festivals in Europe during the summer before taking in audiences across Australia, Japan, and Singapore later in the year.
Franz Ferdinand also recently announced that they will embark on a fresh UK tour in 2026, heading to Dundee, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Norwich, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Portsmouth, and London. Tickets for all these dates are currently already on sale.
For Marr’s part, his new collaboration with Franz Ferdinand comes shortly after he attracted attention by backing Irish rap trio Kneecap’s right to perform at the upcoming Glastonbury Festival, despite the recent controversy that has surrounded them, while he also called for a “free Palestine.”
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