Fontaines D.C. Set Newcastle Ablaze in Career-Defining Moment

★★★★★ (5/5)

FONTAINES D.C PERFORMING AT EXHIBITION PARK IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST

It feels like Fontaines D.C. have been circling the big leagues for years. Since their debut — a pre-pandemic punch to the gut — the Dublin five-piece has kept evolving, both musically and lyrically, refusing to stay still. Tonight they pushed forward to claim their spot as a true headlining band in front of 10,000 adoring fans.

Their latest release, Romance, dropped in late summer 2024. With each new project, their reputation has grown in tandem with their ambition. And now, almost a year on, a full summer of touring this record has launched them into a whole new realm — far beyond what anyone at their early gigs might’ve predicted.

This recent sold-out show in Newcastle drew 10,000 fans, following a similarly packed night at London’s Finsbury Park. They tore through a set of 21 songs, each one given room to breathe, each moment dialled in. The crowd — loud, electric, locked in — made sure it wasn’t just another tour stop.

Support came from Crows and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, both of whom delivered standout sets. English Teacher in particular looked more animated than they did on The Park stage at Glastonbury earlier this year. Lily Fontaine is a force to be reckoned with and her poetry to music is spectacular on record - and now very watchable live. They are returning for a headlining tour later this year — and based on this performance, they’ll deserve every ticket sold.

Fontaines came out swinging with a high-octane trio: “Here’s The Thing,” “Jackie Down The Line,” and “Boys in the Better Land.” Jumping between albums with ease, the transitions were sharp but smooth. Frontman Grian Chatten barely spoke between songs — but when he did, it counted. After “Before You I Just Forget,” he quietly thanked the crowd, calling it a core memory. It was a rare, heartfelt pause in a night otherwise built on raw energy.

Chatten’s presence onstage has shifted. The furious outbursts — smashing mic stands and storming around — have given way to a looser, more connected performance. He skips, engages, locks eyes with fans. It mirrors the tone of Romance, a record that’s far more direct and confrontational than the moodier, introspective A Hero’s Death or Skinty Fia.

He recognises Sam Fender’s contribution to their success in Newcastle by dedicating Bug tonight to him. Fender took them on tour with him and brought their music to stadiums, which is where it deserves to be heard.

Fontaines clearly care about the visuals as much as the music. They’ve built an aesthetic that matches their sound, and that attention to detail adds depth to their shows. It’s not just a gig — it’s a full-on experience. An experience that should be headlining festivals very soon.

They’re a band on a mission. With each release, the praise piles up. Romance has widened their reach, all those songs are now regarded as classics with this new younger audience, leaving older tunes aside in the set list.

The encore tonight was four songs, three of which are from Romance, putting that album higher on the pedestal. Judging by nights like this, they’re not just enjoying the moment — they’re owning it.

Let’s hope this momentum keeps rolling. Fontaines D.C. are good for music. Especially when they’re firing on all cylinders like this.