Johnny Marr joins Franz Ferdinand for new single

Johnny Marr joins Franz Ferdinand on new single ahead of the Scottish outfit’s Glastonbury appearance later this week.

Franz Ferdinand have shared a new single featuring different versions of two tracks included on their recent much-acclaimed seventh album, The Human Fear, which was released on Domino in January of this year.

The single includes Build It Up featuring Johnny Marr on guitar and a live version of Hooked, recorded at Glasgow’s Barrowlands featuring Master Peace, who joined the band on their recent UK tour.

Having initially performed Build It Up with Johnny for a recent Amazon Music Live – City Sessions, this new single version was subsequently studio recorded.

Watch the Amazon Music Live performance below:

Guitar Hero

Alex Kapranos said about working with Johnny on the track: “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.”

Additionally, the band recently joined Jools Holland on Later…, their sixth (seventh if you include their FFS slot with Sparks) appearance on the show, to perform Audacious and Night Or Day.

Finally, after a few months of touring The Human Fear, which has seen the band play sold-out headline shows in North and South America and a two night sell out at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, they recently announced a further UK tour in 2026, including a return to the Brixton Academy.

2026 UK Tour

24 February – Livehouse, Dundee
25 February – O2 Academy, Leeds
27 February– Academy, Manchester
28 February – NX, Newcastle
02 March  – Rock City, Nottingham
03 March  – UEA, Norwich
04 March – Dome, Brighton
06 March – O2 Institute, Birmingham
07 March – Beacon, Bristol
08 March – Great Hall, Cardiff
10 March – Guildhall, Portsmouth
11 March – Brixton Academy, London

Tickets for the 2026 UK tour are on sale now click here

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