Fontaines D.C. Delivers Sheer Artistry in Portland

april 19, 2025 - portland, oregon - photos by lk cisco & ian laidlaw

Dublin's finest, Fontaines D.C, played an electric show in Portland, Oregon, last Saturday night at the Roseland Theater. After having to postpone their originally scheduled 2024 show, fans were ecstatic to finally experience the band live.

Formed in 2014, the post-punk outfit includes Grian Chatten (vocals), Conor Curley (guitar), Carlos O'Connell (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums). The five met while attending BIMM in Dublin and began self-releasing music in 2015. Their debut album Dogrel, released in 2019, received a five-star review from The Guardian, calling it the “perfect debut.” They quickly followed up with A Hero’s Death in 2020 and Skinty Fia in 2022, continuing to build a reputation for poetic, politically-charged lyrics and explosive live shows.

Their newest album, Romance, is much bolder, eclectic, and rock-leaning. The band took a new direction, leaning into a '90s alt-rock sound with touches of gothic Britpop, while still retaining a punk edge. Frontman Chatten told NME, “Romance, as the result of everyone’s musical journey, is our most expansive and full album.” The highly acclaimed release earned Fontaines D.C. two Grammy nominations and the Rolling Stone UK Album of the Year award in 2024.

Since the album's release, the band has been touring across North America, the UK, and Europe, including an extensive festival run. Their Portland show marked just the second stop on their 2025 tour.

Photo by LK Cisco via Instagram.

At 9 PM, the lights dim, and green moody lights begin to glimmer. The band takes the stage, and the haunting intro of “Romance” begins. As the music builds, flashing lights sync with ominous strings and sharp piano notes. Chatten’s voice echoes through the venue before he takes the stage, creating an ominous opening. He emerges on stage only after singing, “Into the darkness again / In with the pigs in the pen,” and the crowd erupts.

In their interview with NME, Chatten explained the tracks concept: “The idea of romance as a place comes from the idea of a simulation. I’m thinking of a zoo with a glass wall, the spectators and the spectacle, the penguins on one side and the people on the other, manufactured realities committed to the fantasies of either one.” The title track was the perfect introduction to this impressive show.

The band threw it back to “Jackie Down The Line,” as fans chanted along with the infectious “Do do do la la la.” Chatten grabs a tambourine, and they go right into “Televised Mind.” Fontaines D.C. played as a tight unit with their ragged guitars and distinct drums. They followed with two tracks off of Stinky Fia, “Roman Holiday” and “Big Shot.” Chatten grabs his acoustic guitar, and the big drum intro to “Roman Holiday” begins. “Big Shot” contrasted with its gloomy tone, heavy guitar, and deep vocals.

A crowd favorite, “Death Kink,” came next. Chatten was very interactive with the crowd, getting as close to the barricade as possible. The singer was standing on the speaker for almost the entirety of the night, pointing the mic at the audience to sing along. They slowed it down for “Sundowner,” during which some of the band fluidly swapped instruments. Guitarist Carlos O'Connell moved to the mixer and keys, and the other guitarist, Conor Curley, joined the main vocals.

Photo by Ian Laidlaw via Instagram.

The next song, “It’s Amazing To Be Young,” was a surprise single released earlier this year. The band stated the track was written in the presence of O'Connell’s kid and started more like a lullaby or a music box. Bassist Conor Deegan III shared with Billboard, “It’s a feeling that fights against the cynicism that can often overtake us in the modern world. So we wanted to declare which side we were on—it really is amazing to be young.” Fontaines D.C.’s younger audience really connected with this track, becoming a soundtrack to young people’s lives.

Then came the explosive start of “Big.” Lights blazed, and the crowd screamed: “My childhood was small / But I'm gonna be big.” The track itself is pretty repetitive, but remains a fan-favorite off their debut album. While Fontaines D.C.’s recent work shows a more refined and evolved sound, their early punk edge remains beloved. Curley stated in Premier Guitar, “The first album was very much in a fighting mode with the two guitars EQ’d the same and just smashing off each other.” He noted that he and O’Connell have worked together to refine their sound.

“A Hero’s Death” was next with its snappy drumline and guitar. Following was “Here’s The Thing” with its explosive intro. This crowd favorite got the place moving, singing to “So here's the thing / I know you're watching / I feel your pain / It's mine as well.” The more pop-leaning chorus displayed newer territory for the band, showcasing their progression.

Before moving on to “Bug,” O'Connell took a fitting swig of Guinness. One of the most charming things about Fontaines D.C. is how quintessentially Irish they remain– dressed in kilts and Adidas, with Chatten maintaining his thick Dublin accent throughout his vocals. “Bug” has some of the most complex lyrics describing a messy relationship with infidelity. “Well, I changed my name to ‘Promise-You’, yeah (but she's gone) / It's easier than making apologies, yeah.”

Photo by LK Cisco via Instagram.

Next, they played a slower song from their newest album, “Horseness Into Whatness,” which featured Chatten’s yearning vocals and a melodic guitar. The band went straight into “Nabokov” and fans didn’t miss a beat, singing “I did you a favour / I bled myself dry / Well, this is what it is now / Pain, pain.”

The first song I heard by Fontaines D.C. was “Boys In The Better Land,” so I was especially excited when I heard the lively riff and tambourine. The track strongly shows their Irish identity, marking a deep connection to their homeland. At the same time, it seems to romanticize the idea of a "better land," a notion that may ultimately be illusory. Through the lyrics, the band parallels nationalism and the historic waves of emigration from Ireland. “If you're a rock star, porn star, superstar / Doesn't matter what you are / Get yourself a good car, get out of here / But the boys in the better land / You're always talking 'bout the boys in the better land.”

Beginning to close their set, they played “Favourite,” which happens to be one of mine. I especially love this song's intro, which embodies a particular feeling. Feeling both cinematic and reminiscent, the track is more stripped down and represents seasons of life.

As the band left the stage, the crowd erupted into chants of “FDC! FDC! FDC!” Their encore started with “In The Modern World” and “Desire,” drenched in dreamlike melodies and haunting vocals. The audience was excited when “I Love You” began. The song starts slow with a heavy bass intro and begins to pick up with Chatten’s vocals, and the drums come in. The bridge is the star of the song, with powerful lyrics about Irish youth, capitalism, political parties, and religion.

Closing out the night was none other than “Starburster.” The first lyrics began “It may feel bad,” and the venue erupted. Being one of Fontaines D.C.’s most experimental works yet, it paid off. The song is bold, original, and passionate. Chatten in NME said it was driven by the idea of “falling in love at the end of the world,” and it was the perfect closer. The band rocked out while Chatten hit every note and roamed the stage, dragging his mic stand behind for the last time.

Fontaines D.C. delivered a performance I have never seen before. The production quality was top tier with stunning lighting and captivating stage presence. The quality of musicality that the entire band possesses is truly praiseworthy. Full of Fenders and twin amps, the performance was very expansive.

Catch Fontaines D.C. on the remainder of their tour, and listen to the deluxe version of Romance out now; you won’t be disappointed.