Things are going fast with Fontaines DC. In five years, the band has undergone enormous development. From the wonderfully amped-up post-punk of Dogrel from 2019, we arrived at the album Romance in 2024, with a much calmer and poppy sound. It has brought the bands many new fans. That is why Fontaines DC can now sell out the AFAS Live twice. But is the band also ready for this new chapter?
At the first of the two concerts it was noticeable that the hall was very busy early on. We were clearly not the only ones who were the support act Wunderhorse wanted to see and hear. The British band released a fantastic album (Midas) this year. This was also central to the short set list that Wunderhorse was allowed to play. The band sounded and looked passionate and the music was convincing. We can’t wait to see this band headline their own show.
Romance
Fontaines DC opened spectacularly with a translucent screen in front of the stage, allowing only the shadows of the band members to be seen. The song Romance sounded nice and thick and the whole room was immediately looking forward to the evening. After the curtain disappeared, the Irish immediately continued with Jackie Down the Line, again an excellent choice. At the beginning we were immediately presented with a few strong songs from the Fontaines DC catalogue.
However, after a few songs the pace and energy dropped a bit. Death Kink and Sundowner from the new album sounded a bit boring. We noticed that the audience’s attention waned, while the band played the songs somewhat perfunctorily. Some extra visuals on stage or some more interaction between the band members and the audience might have helped. Fortunately, the old song Big provided new energy. Yet a little later exactly the same thing happened again with the too calm Horseness is the Whatness and Nabokov. These were also a bit too perfunctory and therefore quite boring. Now Boys in the Better Land had to come in to reignite the fire.
At first you might think that the audience mainly wanted to hear older punk songs, but that’s not the problem. Romance is too good an album for that. At the end of the show there were quite a few new songs that did well. For example, In the Modern World. Yet the band is at its best when the tempo is just a little higher. Favorite did very well and of course the showpiece Starbuster.
Development
Fontaines DC is developing musically at a breakneck pace. We are curious to see where the band will be in a few years. There is a good chance that they will play in even bigger venues and that there are now a number of serious hits on the set list. Now and then there was the feeling that the band members had difficulty packing a large audience. In the past, they only had to play hard and fierce to make the room swirl, but now with quieter material on the set list, they will have to work harder to convince everyone. Overall, it was a great concert. We have mentioned a number of points of criticism, but that may be because we have seen the band in action before.
Setlist:
Romance
Jackie Down the Line
Televised Mind
A Lucid Dream
Roman Holiday
Big Shot
Death Kink
Sundowners
Big
A Hero’s Death
Here’s the Thing
Bug
Horseness Is the Whatness
Nabokov
Boys in the Better Land
Favourite
Encore:
In the Modern World
I Love You
Starburster
Fontaines DC: A Shift from Punk to Poppy
Oh, Fontaines DC has been busy! In just five years, these Irish lads have gone from lighting up the post-punk scene with their debut Dogrel to serving up a more pop-inflected sound with their upcoming album Romance. If you thought musical evolution only happened in science fiction, think again! These blokes have gone from frenetic punk gods to, dare I say, pop princes. It’s enough to make you feel like you’re watching Wunderhorse play in a pub and suddenly someone suggests a karaoke night instead. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t always go well.
Concert Highlights
At their recent gig in AFAS Live, which they managed to sell out twice—yes, twice!—the venue was buzzing from the get-go. You could practically hear the anticipation sizzling in the air like bacon on a Sunday morning. And who could blame the audience? The warm-up act, Wunderhorse, blew us out of the water with their captivating performance, showcasing tracks from their stellar album Midas. If they don’t headline their own show soon, someone should have a word with the universe because that just wouldn’t be fair.
Opening Act: The Shadows of Fontaines DC
Ah, then came Fontaines DC. They kicked things off with a stunning visual effect—a translucent screen that turned the band into mere shadows. Now, I wasn’t sure if this was artistic genius or they just couldn’t afford stage lights. But when the screen lifted and the opening chords of Romance hit, all doubts faded into the mist. And you know what? The room was alive again! They struck like a match, igniting that familiar Fontaines energy. But, like the plot twist in a rom-com, not everything was smooth sailing.
After a few songs, the tempo dipped dramatically. Tracks like Death Kink and Sundowner seemed to drag a bit like a bad episode of reality TV. You could almost hear the audience debating whether to stay seated or grab a drink. Come on, lads! Some cheeky banter or a crazy guitar solo could’ve saved the day! Thankfully, when they revived us with the electrifying Big, the room rediscovered its groove. But just as you thought they were back on track, they derailed again with the slower cuts from the new album. Quick, someone hand them a Red Bull!
Finding Their New Rhythm
Now, let’s have a chat about Romance. It’s an excellent album—seriously, *chef’s kiss*—but it seemed like some fans were there for the old bangers. Maybe it’s the age-old question: do we love the thrill, or do we adore the still? While it’s clear that Fontaines DC has gained a host of new admirers, they’re still grappling with how to engage a crowd that’s perhaps more rowdy than reflective during a show. Come on, lads, crank it up a notch!
Setlist Appreciation
The setlist was a delightful mix of old and new, proving that the band knows how to read the room—at least most of the time. Classics like Boys in the Better Land and A Hero’s Death came through like old friends, immediately rekindling the crowd’s passion. Yet, one can’t help but wonder: will they continue evolving? The pace of their musical journey is impressive, but can they balance their new sound with the thrilling energy we’ve come to expect from them?
Encore Extravaganza
As if drawn by the same irresistible force that makes us all hit the snooze button one too many times, the encore brought clarity to the night. In the Modern World and the crowd favorite Starburst lit up the stage like a surprise party gone right! It seems that while they try to delve into softer tunes, it’s safe to say they might just still prefer to make some noise.
Final Thoughts
Fontaines DC is tumbling through this evolutionary phase, and the excitement of where they’ll land next is palpable. They are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, but the challenge remains: can they hold the rapt attention of their fans with a quieter set? It’s a thrilling chapter in their journey, and if they keep their pulse on the crowd, we can only expect bigger venues and more hits to grace their setlist in the future. For now, hats off for an entertaining evening, despite a few bumps along the way. After all, who wants a perfect night when life—and music—are all about the unexpected?
Setlist Recap:
Romance
Jackie Down the Line
Televised Mind
A Lucid Dream
Roman Holiday
Big Shot
Death Kink
Sundowners
Big
A Hero’s Death
Here’s the Thing
Bug
Horseness Is the Whatness
Nabokov
Boys in the Better Land
Favourite
Encore:
In the Modern World
I Love You
Starburst
Things are moving swiftly for Fontaines DC, a band that has experienced transformative growth in just five years. Since the release of their electrifying post-punk debut, Dogrel, in 2019, the band has taken a significant sonic leap, culminating in their latest album, Romance, released in 2024—a project that showcases a much more refined and melodic pop sound. This evolution has broadened their appeal, introducing them to a legion of new fans and enabling Fontaines DC to sell out AFAS Live not once, but twice. As they embark on this exciting new chapter, the question looms: is the band fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead?
During the first of their two sold-out concerts, it was striking to see the venue buzzing with anticipation well before the show began. The enthusiastic crowd clearly shared a keen interest in the opening act, Wunderhorse, who delivered an electrifying performance showcasing their amazing new album, Midas. Their set was infused with passion, leaving the audience eager to see them headline their own show in the future.
Romance
Fontaines DC kicked off their performance in dramatic fashion, shrouding the stage with a translucent screen that only allowed the silhouettes of the band members to be glimpsed. The opener, Romance, resonated powerfully throughout the venue, energizing the crowd and setting an exhilarating tone for the evening. As the screen lifted, the Irish band seamlessly segued into Jackie Down the Line, another standout track, instantly reminding the audience of their impressive back catalogue.
However, as the concert progressed, there was a notable dip in tempo and energy levels. The new tracks, Death Kink and Sundowner, felt somewhat lackluster, leading to a noticeable decline in audience engagement while the band performed in a seemingly detached manner. A infusion of dynamic visuals or increased interaction could have elevated the experience. Thankfully, the classic hit Big revived the evening’s momentum. Yet, soon after, Horseness is the Whatness and Nabokov echoed the earlier sentiment of underwhelming energy, which diluted the atmosphere. The crowd was clearly waiting for Boys in the Better Land to rejuvenate the spirit of the show.
One might initially assume that fans primarily craved the band’s earlier punk anthems, but this isn’t solely the case. The album Romance has proven itself too compelling for that perspective. By the concert’s conclusion, several new tracks had garnered applause, with In the Modern World receiving a particularly warm reception. However, Fontaines DC thrives when their set picks up pace, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response to their track Favorite and, of course, the captivating star of the evening, Starbuster.
Development
Fontaines DC is advancing musically with impressive velocity, and it’s exciting to speculate where they might find themselves in just a few years. It’s likely that their growing popularity will see them gracing even larger venues, and with that, a spotlight on a slew of major hits on their set list. At times, there were hints that the band members were grappling with captivating a vast audience. Previously, their raw energy could easily ignite a room, but now, as they incorporate quieter elements into their performance, they face the challenge of fully engaging the crowd. Overall, the concert was a resounding success. While we noted a few areas for improvement, these critiques may stem from our familiarity with their past performances.
Setlist:
Romance
Jackie Down the Line
Televised Mind
A Lucid Dream
Roman Holiday
Big Shot
Death Kink
Sundowners
Big
A Hero’s Death
Here’s the Thing
Bug
Horseness Is the Whatness
Nabokov
Boys in the Better Land
Favourite
Encore:
In the Modern World
I Love You
Starburster
What strategies might Fontaines DC employ to balance their energetic punk roots with their evolving sound?
Wd’s excitement was definitely palpable, but at times it seemed like they were navigating a mixed bag of tempo shifts and audience sentiment.
### Reflections on Evolution
It’s clear that Fontaines DC is in a state of transition as they experiment with their sound. While their new material showcases impressive artistry, there’s a balancing act they need to master when switching between their energetic punk roots and the more mellow tracks of *Romance*. Some fans may still yearn for the raw intensity of their earlier work, which raises the question: how do they cater to both longtime fans and newcomers?
### Closing Thoughts
As the night wound down and the many highlights of the concert began replaying in my mind, it was evident that Fontaines DC is not just riding the wave of their newfound popularity but also facing the exciting challenges of artistic growth. The encore, with favorites like *In the Modern World* and *Starburst*, proved that no matter how mellow the evening became, the band had the crowd in their hands, ready to roar back to life when the moment was right.
Looking ahead, this intriguing blend of punk and pop will likely continue to shape their performances. If they can find a rhythm that satisfies both their creative urges and their fanbase’s expectations, there’s no telling how high Fontaines DC can soar. And for us, the audience, every step of their journey promises to be a thrilling ride—full of unexpected twists and turns.
amidst the buzzing excitement of evolution and the reflective pauses, one thing remains clear: Fontaines DC is here to stay and reshape the landscape of modern music, and I for one can’t wait to see where they go next.
