FRANZ FERDINAND TO OPEN NME SHOCKWAVES TOUR

Franz Ferdinand front man, Alex Kapranos has recently announced that the band will headline the NME Shockwaves Awards Shows Tour 2009.

The Scottish art-school quartet will play two special shows at London’s newest live music venue, Heaven (20th Jan.) and at The Picture House, Edinburgh (14th Jan.) as part of the NME’s annual Shockwaves line-up.

The tour dates will coincide with the release of the band’s third studio album: Tonight, released on the 26th of January by Domino Records. The twelve-track album will be Franz Ferdinand’s first release in three years since their critically acclaimed, You can Have It So Much Better hit the shelves in 2005. Ulysses, the album’s first single will be made available from the 19th.

Tickets for the NME Shockwaves Awards Shows tour are priced at £17.50 for both London and Edinburgh dates and will go on pre-sale via the NME website (www.nme.com) and the band's website (www.franzferdinand.co.uk) at 9am on 26th November.

Tickets for general release will go on sale on the 28th November and will be limited to two per person.