FRANZ Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos, is to follow in the footsteps of Mikhail Gorbachev and Stephen Hawking.

The singer will discuss Scotland's role in making music in the 21st century at The Edinburgh Lectures next month.

The Glasgow band were nominated for five Brit awards earlier this week including Best British Group and Best British Album. The four-piece band released their debut single, Take Me Out, last January.