Franz Ferdinand’s Orchestral Cover of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ Is a Must-Listen!

Experience Franz Ferdinand's orchestral take on Britney Spears' ‘Toxic’ as they revive the classic pop hit with a fresh, theatrical twist.

A New Twist on a Classic Hit

In an exciting new twist, Franz Ferdinand has shared their orchestral cover of Britney Spears’ iconic song, ‘Toxic.’ This marks the second time the band has taken on one of Britney’s popular tracks. The cover was performed during their recent appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room at Maida Vale Studios in London, adding a unique and theatrical flair to the beloved 2003 hit.

The energetic group, known for their catchy tunes, infused an orchestral section that elevated the song, bringing a fresh perspective to this pop classic.

The Journey to This Cover

This orchestral rendition comes about 16 years after Franz Ferdinand’s previous Britney Spears cover, ‘Womanizer,’ which they performed for BBC Radio 1 as part of their Live Lounge series. It’s clear that Franz Ferdinand has a knack for reinterpreting pop songs, something that frontman Alex Kapranos elaborated on during an interview with Stereogum.

“I like a good song. It’s that simple. I don’t care if the song is 60 years old or six days old — a good song is a good song,” said Kapranos.

He noted that the criteria for selecting covers have remained the same: they choose songs the band enjoys and have been jamming to together.

A History of Notable Covers

Franz Ferdinand’s repertoire of covers includes numerous hits beyond Spears’ tracks. Throughout their career, they have also covered The Beatles’ ‘It Won’t Be Long,’ Pulp’s ‘Mis-Shapes,’ and Air’s ‘Sexy Boy,’ showcasing their versatility and appreciation for different musical styles.

Their more recent covers include Chappell Roan’s ‘Good Luck, Babe,’ demonstrating their ability to adapt and appreciate both classic and contemporary music.

Latest Album: ‘The Human Fear’

Franz Ferdinand's latest release, ‘The Human Fear,’ came out in 2025. NME gave it a solid four-star review, highlighting the album's exploration of confidence during uncertain times. They praised the track ‘The Birds’ for its poignant questioning of human connection and understanding in a world that can often feel disconnected.

One standout lyric from the album echoes the essence of the band’s music:

“Is that what we want? To be with others who know, who understand who we are and what we’ve done?”

Kapranos encapsulated the band’s energy and rawness, reaffirming the importance of live performances:

“It’s the human energy that you only get from a set of people standing on stage and exchanging that between them.”

The Future of Franz Ferdinand

Looking ahead, Franz Ferdinand is set to embark on a UK tour in March before heading to North America. Fans can catch them live and experience the energy they bring to the stage. Here’s a quick look at their upcoming UK and US tour dates:

March Tour Dates:

• 05 – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
• 06 – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
• 07 – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow

April Tour Dates:

• 03 – Midland – Kansas City, MO
• 04 – The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN
• 07 – Anthem – Washington, DC
• 08 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA
• 10 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY
• 12 – Orpheum – Boston, MA
• 14 – M Telus – Montreal, QB

You can find tickets for the UK shows here and for the US shows here.

FAQs:

• What song did Franz Ferdinand recently cover?
  They recently covered Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ in an orchestral style.
• When did Franz Ferdinand first cover a Britney Spears song?
  They first covered 'Womanizer' for BBC Radio 1 about 16 years ago.
• What is Franz Ferdinand's latest album?
  Their latest album is titled ‘The Human Fear’, released in 2025.
• Where can I buy tickets for their upcoming tour?
  Tickets for their UK and US shows are available on Ticketmaster.
• What other artists have Franz Ferdinand covered?
  They’ve covered songs by The Beatles, Pulp, and Air, among others.

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