One of the most influential and revered bands to emerge last year, Mercury Music Prize-winning Franz Ferdinand finished 2004 with a sell-out European, starting at Carling Academy Brixton.

The band has been well supported by Sennheiser, and FOH engineer Michael Parker used extensive products from the Sennheiser ranges during the tour, including an evolution e840 mic on Alex Kapranos' lead vocals, e935s on backing vocals, e602s, e903s, e614s and e604s on drums, e421 on bass and e606s on guitars. The band's in-ear monitor systems are evolution G2 300 IEM.

Parker explained: "We started using Sennheiser for Franz Ferdinand in March and excellent support from Sennheiser, in both the UK and USA, has enabled us to test and select for the set-up we now use. I'm really pleased with the system - each mic gives us exactly what we want, consistently and reliably."

Parker worked on the tour with monitor engineer Tilde Brunyooghe and sound was provided by SSE Hire. Other suppliers included PRG Europe Birmingham (LD Cormac Jackson), Acre Jean (drapes), Fly By Nite (trucking), Beat The Street (buses), Rock-it Cargo (freight) and Popcorn (catering). Production manager was Darren O'Connor, working alongside tour manager Glen Thomson.

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