Thankfully despite the earlier weather reports it’s a pleasant evening in Belfast. As we approach the Boucher Road the Police presence is heavy due to the sold out gig and its much awaited acts on tonight’s bill.
The traffic disruption on the Boucher road industrial estate with young revellers was a sight to behold. As we enter the beautiful venue there is a cracking festival ambience, lots of Merch stalls, food vendors and the obligatory bars accompanied by a Big Wheel in action. Despite earlier appearances, there is a mix of all ages in the audience with lots of fans wearing the Bohemians/ Fontaines D.C Jersey which is a collaborative jersey between the Dublin football team and tonight’s headliners Fontaines DC.
Comprising of Grian Chattan (vocals), Conor Curley (Guitar), Conor ‘Deego’ Deegan III (bass), Tom Coll (drums) and Carlos O’Connell (Guitar), Fontaines DC are a five piece, post punk/indie/alternative band from Dublin, Ireland. Formed in 2014 the lads met in Musical College and bonded over a love of Poetry. Determined they self-released music whilst performing relentlessly. Fontaine DC have released four albums to date including their most recent release ‘Romance’ in August 2024. All three albums have been well received earning the lads both nominations and awards. It’s fitting, that just a little over a year to the day that ‘Romance’ was released, the lads would play their final gig of the tour in Belfast to 25,000 eager fans.
As the stage is being set up for the headliners we observe two large screens either side of the stage, with a large screen to the back of the stage with a huge inflated Heart from the cover of the Romance album, suspended from the roof of the stage. A Fontaines DC sign hangs on the front of the stage. Vital certainly know how to maximise a stage set up with stunning lights and eye catching visuals. A Palestine flag was hung on a keyboard at the front of the stage and later in the set the screens displayed poignant messages in support of Palestine. The crowd begin fervently assuming position for the beginning of Fontaines DC’s set. ‘Starburster’/’In Heaven’ (Lady in the Radiator Song) can be heard ringing throughout the Boucher Playing Field as the band take to the stage with a cool and chilled demeanour.
The lads launch into ‘Here’s The Thing’, the crowd erupted and gleefully sang along with Chattan nearly drowning out the vocalist. Enigmatic Chattan bounces about the stage waving his arms about engaging the enamoured crowd. The crowd are ecstatic and caught up in the moment as are Fontaines DC. The lads continue with ‘Jackie Down the Line’ and ‘Boys in the Better Land’ which have us bouncing and singing along to their punky tunes, again nearly deafening the lads live performance. From our experience so far I think Fontaines DC will be our ‘favourite for a long-time’. ‘Roman Holiday’, from their album ‘Skinty Fia’, is a harmonious track evidencing the skilled guitar playing of Deegan, Curley and O’Connell.
‘It’s Amazing to be Young’, sees Chattan play acoustic and is in receipt of joyous cheers from the crowd. Fontaines DC utilise their poetic prowess mixed with catchy choruses to enthral their audiences regardless of the size of the venues. Their music creates a sense of solidarity and unity. Chattan dedicates the next song, ‘Before You I Just Forget’, to their dedicated crew having playing 165 shows together. ‘Motorcycle Boy’ and ‘Horseness Is The Whatness’ sees Chattan back with an acoustic demonstrating the diversity in his vocals. The lads have chosen a great mix of tracks across their four albums and the many devoted fans sing along to the old and new tracks with such vigour.
‘Bug’ is a formidable track amongst so many others but definitely a stand out track of the evening. The stage is engulfed in dry ice and pink hues for ‘Desire’, we are beguiled and captivated by the songs complex connotation. The punchy and popular ‘Liberty Belle’ sees a return to an upbeat track which has us jumping about and singing along with Chattan and the lads about the Liberties, Dublin, a much loved area in which they met, and a local Pub called The Liberty Belle. However, its more than that, it’s a love song and a tale about a town which has changed over time. Prior to the Encore there are mysterious images of a pig and a snow globe displayed on the screens on the stage with ‘Romance’ a slow tempo song playing in the background. We are contemplative in the moment with the music and visuals. The lads return to the stage with ‘In The Modern World’, a slower temp track with melancholy themes. ‘I love You’ opens with Deegan’s rumbling bass – with a plait of his beloved Mayo colours tied around the neck of his guitar – and Coll leading the lads in on drums. It’s an absorbing track from the lyrics to the wall of noise intricately executed by the band.
The final song of an amazing evening began with a melancholic synth, and with the lead from Coll the lads spring into ‘Starburster’. The crowd are jumping and sing along with Chattan, “Im gon’ hit your business if it’s momentary blissness”.
The changing colours illuminate the stage as the song sweeps us all up in an emotional journey, the lads are on fire and play with such verve you would be forgiven for thinking it was early on in the tour not their last night. This may have been the last show of the ‘Romance Tour’ but it most certainly be the last we hear of Fontaines DC these lads have a dedicated following and have four extremely strong albums under their belts.
As we empty out onto the Boucher road there is a great sense of solidarity and pleasure. Fontaines DC are passionate in their storytelling and delivery but can still provoke frenzy in a crowd.
Review & Photography my MPM
