Wednesday 27th October 2021
When I saw Dublin heroes Fontaines D.C. play one of their biggest shows to date at Green Man 2021, there was a feeling that the band hadn’t quite caught up with their reputation yet. After a two year gap from touring in which Grian Chatten and co became arguably the biggest rock band in Britain and Ireland, it was perhaps understandable that it took them a little while to find their feet. Just a few short months later, Dublin’s finest have become something else entirely…
Launching straight into one of their best known songs at a huge venue such as Ally Pally is always a risk, but the band nail A Hero’s Death with the rowdy audience singing along to Chatten’s life affirming assertation that ‘life ain’t always empty’. Indeed. Sha Sha Sha inspires the first big bouncealong of the evening and it is clear that since returning to touring, Fontaines have gone from strength to strength. Where once he looked nervous and awkward, Chatten is so much more charismatic whilst still retaining the moody intensity that has won the band so many followers.
The world conquering riff of You Said sounds gargantuan echoing around one of London’s most iconic venues and I Don’t Belong and Hurricane Laughter cement the fact that this is a truly special show. A proper rock ‘n’ roll band at a time when such acts are in short supply. The final four tracks that make up the first part of the set are received like old friends. Too Real evoking the punk spirit of their ancestors whilst Big takes the small town ache of Bruce Springsteen and filters it through Thin Lizzy and the Buzzcocks. It’s a heady mix. Televised Mind is perhaps the band’s finest technical achievement and it sounds massive here before a joyous Boys in the Better Land sees a mass of limbs awkwardly ‘dancing’ along. Not actual dancing, obviously. Chubby white guy dancing.
The boys leave the stage for a few minutes or so before returning to treat the audience to the live debut of new song I Love You. And what a song it is. All soaring intensity and lovelorn lyrics. As is now traditional, an epic run through of Roy’s Song and a raucous Liberty Belle close out the evening and there is a feeling that we have all witnessed something really special at the Alexandra Palace. The last great rock ‘n’ roll band? They might just be…