“You better believe it’s on tonight”: Fontaines D.C. Kicks Off the Romance Tour in San Francisco, CA
After a delayed start to their highly anticipated tour, Fontaines D.C. finally kicked off their “Romance” tour, in support of their latest album Romance, in San Francisco, CA. Fontaines D.C is an Irish post-punk band hailing from Dublin, Ireland, known for their grungy and innovative sound. Their new album Romance has been making waves for its raw but sophisticated energy, exploring new sounds which set this album apart from the rest of their discography. This show was about to prove why their name is buzzing across the rock world.
From the moment I stepped into the venue, the anticipation was palpable. The room quickly filled up and those in the front row were craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the setlist as soon as a crew member taped it on the stage. You could feel the excitement building as everyone settled in, waiting for the first note to drop. It was clear that fans had been eagerly awaiting this moment.
The lights went out, and an eerie atmosphere filled the room. One by one, each band member walked onto the dark stage, casting shadows as they took their places, heightening the anticipation. Lead singer Grian Chatten took the stage last. The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as the spotlight hit him and he kicked off the show with their track “Romance”. There was an undeniable magnetism between him and the audience from the very start. Throughout the show, Grian leaned into the crowd, stepping onto the speakers. He brought himself as close as possible to the fans, drawn towards them like a force he couldn’t resist.
The show was relentless, with little to no pauses between songs as the band powered through their set. Some screamed out song requests, though Fontaines D.C. had a plan for the night, and they stuck to it. Every song built on the energy of the last, and the band’s dynamic lighting perfectly matched the vibe of each track.
People started crowd surfing during “Sha Sha Sha” as the steady rock riff and Grian’s chant filled the room. There was a balance to the chaos, though. The band slowed things down with “Sundowner”, shifting gears with a more mellow track. Even then, the energy remained high, with fans enjoying every moment of the set.
Grian commanded the stage, using every inch of it as if it was his playground. There wasn’t a moment where he stood still, always moving and engaging with the crowd. The inevitable encore came after the track “Favourite”. Fearing the end of the show, people stomped their feet, clapped, whistled, and chanted during the long pause until the band finally returned.
They closed the night with “Starbuster”, their infectious and punchy hit single from their new album which catapulted them further into the spotlight. As the final chords rang out, it was clear that Fontaines D.C. had delivered exactly what their fans had hoped for this anticipated opening night of the tour.
I’ve heard a lot about Fontaines D.C. before this show, but now I truly understand why their name is everywhere. Fontaines D.C. is an outstanding must-see live act. They bring something fresh yet familiar to the stage, and their live show is an experience you won’t soon forget.
View the full photo gallery here.
See Fontaines D.C. on the Romance tour in a city near you:
Sept 27 — San Diego, CA, SOMA
Sept 28 — Pomona, CA, Fox Theater
Sept 30 — Phoenix, AZ, The Van Buren
Oct 2 — Englewood, CO, Gothic Theatre
Oct 4 — Lawrence, KS, The Granada
Oct 5 — Omaha, NE, Slowdown
Oct 6 — Madison, WI, The Sylvee
Oct 8 — Minneapolis, MN, The Fillmore
Oct 9 — Chicago, IL, The Salt Shed
Oct 11 — Toronto, ON, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Oct 12 — Montreal, QC, MTELUS
Oct 13 — Boston, MA, Roadrunner
Oct 15 — Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Paramount
Oct 16 — Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Paramount
Oct 18 — Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
Oct 19 — Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
Oct 20 — Philadelphia, PA, The Fillmore
