Fontaines DC @ MTELUS

It’s not often you witness a band’s rise to stardom unfold in real-time, but for Irish post-punkers Fontaines DC, it’s evident they’re on the fast track to world-renowned rock star status. With every new release, the shows grow larger, the crowds become more fervent, and the band’s presence in the music world becomes increasingly undeniable.

Their latest album, Romance, marks a bold departure from the icy, detached style of their earlier work, embracing a richer, more arena-rock-inspired sound. This shift isn’t a rejection of their past, but rather a reflection of their willingness to experiment with a variety of new influences. Lead singer Grian Chatten has cited bands like Deftones and Korn as inspirations—something which can clearly be heard in the album’s grittier cuts like "Desire."

This past Saturday, Fontaines played to a sold-out crowd at MTELUS as part of the North American leg of their 2024 tour. Admittedly, it had been a while since I had attended a concert at MTELUS, but the venue felt particularly crowded that night, with concertgoers filling just about every inch of the locale, even spilling into the staircases between the ground floor and balcony. Despite the close quarters, the excitement and anticipation for the band’s arrival was palpable.

As the lights dimmed to signal the band’s entrance, a recording of Leonard Cohen’s “Avalanche” played in full - a symbolic nod to both Montreal and our city’s most celebrated musical export. When the song ended, the band members gradually took to the stage and the audience erupted in applause. The opening bass notes to Romance, the title track from their newest album, then sounded out. The wistful, moody track served as the perfect opener to the evening, building excitement for what was to come.

They then dove straight into “Jackie Down the Line,” a popular track and fan favourite from their previous album, with the crowd singing along to every word.  “Televised Mind” from their sophomore album came next, its pulsing, thumping bassline reverberating throughout the venue.

This momentum carried over as they powered through a set heavy with tracks from their newest album. Having previously seen them perform at the Corona Theatre during their Skinty Fia tour, it was exciting to hear their latest material live. That said, the old fan in me would’ve loved to have heard a few deeper cuts thrown into the mix.

Their second-to-last song, “Boys in the Better Land,” had the entire crowd moving, and their closer, “Favorite,” even saw some audience members crowd surfing. After thanking the crowd, the band walked offstage, but chants of “DC” brought them back for a two-song encore, performing "In the Modern World" and “Starburster”, once again off their latest album.

Despite the heavy emphasis on new material, Fontaines DC’s MTELUS show proved why they’re considered one of today’s most captivating rock acts, with their star power and raw energy shining throughout the performance. As a longtime fan, I’m eager to see what the future holds for these rising rock stars.