LIVE REVIEW: FONTAINES D.C.

By Resonate | November 13, 2021

WORDS BY: GIANNIS NIKODIMOS

Irish breakout stars Fontaines D.C. are arguably one of the most important post-punk bands in recent years. The band entered the stage with their frontman, Grian Chatten, holding flowers and throwing them into the crowd in an attempt at a ‘big rock star’ moment; despite this coming off slightly cheesy, I was fascinated to see how his rebellious personality could traverse from one such act of tenderness to the gnarled post-punk frontman for which he’s famed. Turns out pretty well. The set started with the iconic drumbeat of A Hero’s Death and the chaotic atmosphere started really quickly, with Chatten repeating the song’s lyrical hook: “Life ain’t always empty.” 

After this massive introduction, the band showed their intense post-punk aesthetic with Chatten moving impulsively whilst the rest of the band had a more reserved stage presence. Though Fontaines’ set combined well-known classics such as Too Real, Hurricane Laughter and Televised Mind, and a few hidden gems from their relatively small discography, they didn’t make space for slow, ballad-like songs, their set being very power-driven at all times. After finishing Boys in the Better Land, which was my stand-out moment of the night, they returned to play the glorious and melancholic Roy’s Tune, with its magical refrain, “there is no warning, and there is no future”. 
These memorable lyrics were one of the most emotionally raw moments of this show. To top it all off, the band finished the show with the groovy Liberty Dale, and in response got all the crowd bouncing and singing along until the very last note. Fontaines D.C. once again proved they are worthy of the hype, and where they go from here will be fascinating.

More reviews, you say? MORE REVIEWS!!