Glastonbury 2025 has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons (not looking at you, Kneecap and Bob Vylan). But when indie rock icons Franz Ferdinand hit the Other Stage on Friday evening, they spurred a viral moment that sent sci-fi nerds and pop music fans into absolute meltdown. The official clip of the band’s game-changing performance has already amassed over 545,000 views in less than a week!
The Scottish band was just about to unleash their career-defining single, “Take Me Out,” when frontman Alex Kapranos announced, “I heard a rumour that there’s a fellow Glaswegian coming down to Glastonbury today… who goes by the name of Capaldi”; promptly welcoming “the original Capaldi” to the stage: Peter Capaldi – star of Doctor Who, The Thick of It, and an all-round BBC legend.
The Glasto crowd goes haywire as Peter struts out in a black suit, shades, with a murder-red shirt and shoes; instantly iconic. And fans can only anticipate the magic about to go down having seen Peter wield an electric guitar on Doctor Who!
The first verse of “Take Me Out” raises an instant, unstoppable flood of nostalgia; the band sounding just like they did on the record despite 21 years having passed since this song’s release. And the crowd can’t get enough. “Take Me Out” peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Charts back in 2004 but, judging by the Glasto audience’s reaction, it’s become a solid #1 in the hearts of many. High-energy, feel-good Britpop at its absolute best.
With pink flares spewing colored smoke through the blue, cloud-spotted skies, this entire video is an absolute moment. But it’s Peter who steals the show, smoking cool as he harmonizes with Alex – two Scottish voices matching to perfection. The crowd chants the “Take Me Out” guitar riff like a football anthem; impeccable vibes running free like wildfire, the audience jumping to the beat in their thousands.
Peter’s appearance was completely unexpected, but, unlike other surprises of the 2025 fest, this was a purely wholesome moment. Peter made way for the kind of timeless performance that will doubtlessly go down in Glasto history; a phenomenally fresh and exciting rendition of a song that defined a generation, star-studded with the most absurd, abstract but impeccable guest star you could possibly imagine. And that’s not to mention the absolute geezer Peter is, dad-dancing across the stage like an MI5 agent-turned-rock star for a day.
Peter wasn’t the only Capaldi to play a surprise set at Glastonbury this year. Peter’s second cousin once removed, Lewis Capaldi, appeared with his own unexpected, emotional comeback set, performing “Someone You Loved” and his brand new hit “Survive.”
Franz Ferdinand’s show-stopping surprise at Glastonbury 2025 is a testament to their enduring flair and creativity, electrifying fans who experienced an unexpected blend of indie rock and pop culture. Peter Capaldi’s unforgettable cameo is sure to be talked about for years. Dive into more details and relive the moment with useful links below.