Fontaines D.C. Takes Over Portland with Unmatched Energy
April 19, 2025 - Portland, Oregon
Dublin’s own Grammy-nominated alternative rock band, Fontaines D.C., left its audience in more than momentary blissness at Portland’s Roseland Theater this past Saturday. After initially having to cancel the original U.S. leg of their ‘Romance’ tour due to frontman Grian Chatten’s health issues, the five-piece group has made a triumphant comeback, kicking off their tour with a strong start.
Photo by Ewen Spencer for GQ
While they're largely known for their post-punk sound, the band’s latest album takes a deliberate step in a new direction. Guitarist and vocalist Conor Deegan explained in an interview with Tonitruale that the band was looking to move beyond genre confines, experimenting with shoegaze and intimate ballads to evolve their sound for Romance.
Fans began lining the downtown sidewalks nearly eight hours ahead of showtime. I braved the chilly bite of Oregon’s spring air and the dreadful, unforgiving pollen for six in an attempt to score a prime view. As a relatively new listener, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but Fontaines D.C. quickly surpassed every expectation.
Photo via Instagram
The band emerged on stage, taking in the crowd before easing into the set with the eerie title track, “Romance.” The heavy bass pulsed through our chests as dim green and purple lights flashed from the stage, accentuating the members’ shadowy silhouettes and building an intensity that only grew throughout the night.
“Jackie Down The Line” from their previous album Skinty Fia followed, energizing the now-jumping crowd. The venue filled with enthusiastic “Do-do-do”s and “La-la-la”s, making me grin at how silly and sweet we collectively sounded. The band dipped into A Hero's Death with “Televised Mind,” where Chatten whipped out a tambourine, sending fans into delighted cheers.
Slowing down the pace was “Roman Holiday,” as Carlos O’Connell traded his bass for an acoustic guitar. This continued with “Big Shot,” adding a heavier sound. Now, I had previously disliked the song, finding its chorus a bit cheesy, but hearing the song live completely changed my perspective. The next morning, we replayed the setlist on our drive home and, as I was minding my own business, our editor-in-chief, Cece, exclaimed: “Is that you vibing to ‘Big Shot’?!” Guilty.
The energy ramped back up with “Death Kink.” Its impossible-not-to-dance-to beat had the crowd thrashing as fans towards the front were pushed farther up against the barricade. The crowd echoed the signature “Shit, shit, shit!,” thrusting their fists up, and “Ha-ha-ha”s. Psychedelic “Sundowner” followed, its dreamy synths had fans swaying their arms in the air before reflective “It’s Amazing To Be Young” washed over the audience in a soft blue light, hitting us all with a sense of collective nostalgia.
That moment of calm dissolved the instant the first riff hit. “Big” brought us back to their early days with its punchy, punk-fueled rush. Another highlight came with “Boys in the Better Land,” a song I hadn’t heard before but is now my latest obsession. Its infectious chorus, But the boys in the better land / You’re always talking about the boys in the better land, was stuck in my head for days after.
Photo via Instagram
The band gave a brief farewell to fans before being coaxed out to return by chants and stomping feet. The encore opened with “In the Modern World,” followed by the hypnotic melody of “Desire,” and emotionally charged “I Love You.” They closed with “Starburster,” yet another song I haven’t stopped thinking about since. Chatten ended the performance with a deep, strained inhale, which is what makes the track so enticing.
Before the final goodbye, Deegan sweetly reached his hands out to encourage a fan to toss him a stuffed animal they’d brought as a gift, cueing others to follow suit. As the house lights turned on, the venue filled with post-show reflections.
One thing that struck me was the diversity of the crowd. While I expected a younger scene, the audience ranged from twenty-somethings to seasoned fans well into their 50s—a testament to the band’s broad appeal and emotional reach.
Now, I’d never waited outside a venue hoping for a chance encounter post-show, but this was a special occasion: Cece’s 21st birthday. She’s how I originally discovered the band. After an hour and a half of waiting, we saw a man exit from the gate behind the Roseland—and lo and behold, it was Grian Chatten.
Only three others had waited after the concert, which made the experience feel even more personal. Chatten took time to speak with each of us, genuinely interested in what we had to say and kind enough to take pictures and sign our merchandise. As a native Portlander, I love to ask artists about their stay in the city. When I asked how he spent his visit, he mentioned visiting a friend and added that the city “confuses” him—a sentiment many locals would likely agree with. When I asked about his favorite city in the U.S., he joked, “Other than New York?” His unexpected answer: Detroit, Michigan. I wish I’d pressed him for the story behind it.
With every release, Fontaines D.C. challenges expectations and rejects the idea of staying comfortable. I’m eager to see how they continue to evolve their aesthetic and sound in the future—and I highly recommend catching them live on the remainder of their U.S. tour, especially if you’re from Detroit. Tickets are available on their website here.
