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Can Fontaines D.C. Revive the Cool Factor of Rock Bands?
With a celebrated new album, an exciting North American tour, and a rising number of celebrity fans, the Irish band has brought back the cool, all-male guitar band. So why do they seem less than thrilled about it?
When Fontaines D.C. were creating their debut album, Dogrel, in Dublin, the five members would cram into drummer Tom Coll’s old car, blasting their freshly recorded tracks. The vehicle, so antiquated that it required an FM converter to connect their phones, became their makeshift listening space. They would circle the Liffey, the river that flows through Dublin, playing their songs repeatedly—a defiant bubble of creativity shielded from the outside world. “We were driving in a square; really, really high on our own genius,” recalls singer Grian Chatten, reflecting on those early days in 2018, shortly after signing their first record deal and quitting their jobs.
Fast forward to mid-August, just before the release of their fourth album, Romance, the band is at the Le Cabaret Vert festival in Charleville-Mézières, a town between France’s Champagne region and the Belgian border. Since their first performance there in 2018, Fontaines D.C. has surged from cult status to mainstream recognition, evident by their Grammy nomination in 2021 and BRIT award win in 2023. They’ve gained traction, appearing in films like Bird and on shows like Jimmy Fallon, where they launched their new single “Starburster.”
Their rise feels particularly striking in a music landscape where all-male guitar bands seem almost extinct. No band has topped the Billboard Hot 100 this year, while indie rock appears overshadowed by pop and rap. Fontaines D.C., however, has thrived as a punk-rock ensemble, using Chatten’s intense vocals and the band’s gritty sound to critique societal issues.
Despite their growing acclaim, Fontaines are navigating a transformation. With Romance, they are shedding their earlier image and embracing a softer sound, exploring deeper emotional themes rather than just shouting their frustrations. Their style has shifted, moving away from cardigans and leather jackets to skirts and knee-high socks, reminiscent of Natural Born Killers. Chatten emphasizes that they won't limit their artistic development for the sake of fans attached to their previous sound.
The band formed in Dublin’s BIMM music college, united by a passion for literature and music. By 2018, they were gaining momentum, thrilling audiences with their unique blend of punk energy and sharp lyrics. Their early work captured a feeling of revolt against social norms, but with Romance, they are redefining that narrative, exploring themes of romance and escapism amid a tumultuous world.
Chatten describes the album as a collection of vignettes that contrast lush escapism with songs filled with anxiety and frustration. For instance, “Starburster,” which reflects a panic attack he experienced, juxtaposes chaos with the album’s more melodic tracks. The production, guided by James Ford, aims to explore new textures and emotions, pulling away from their previous sound while remaining true to their roots.
As Fontaines prepare for a show at the Electric Ballroom in North London, the excitement is palpable. The crowd recognizes this might be the last chance to see them perform in such an intimate venue. When they take the stage, the atmosphere shifts, underscoring the band’s evolution. Chatten opens with the haunting line, “Into the darkness again,” signaling a new chapter for Fontaines D.C. as they continue to carve their path through the music landscape, defying expectations and embracing change.