FONTAINES D.C.

Emerging from Dublin, the five-piece group Fontaines D.C. draws on deep roots in their hometown to deliver raw vocal intensity alongside propulsive rhythms and melodic hooks. The band launched with a 2019 debut that propelled them swiftly toward global recognition, then refined their approach across the 2020 follow-up A Hero's Death. Their third full-length, Skinty Fia from 2022, reached the summit of the charts in the U.K., Ireland, and Scotland. Led by the track "Starburster," the 2024 release Romance brought bolder sonic textures and a future-dystopian vision; it once more placed the band high on the U.K. charts while earning two Grammy nominations.

The five members first crossed paths at Dublin City Music College, where Grian Chatten (vocals), Conor Deegan III (bass), Conor Curley (guitar), Carlos O'Connell (guitar), and Tom Coll (drums) shared a class and quickly bonded. Although each had played in earlier projects, their immediate musical rapport convinced them to disband those groups and start Fontaines together. They took the name from a figure in The Godfather, yet an L.A. band already used it, prompting the addition of D.C. to signify Dublin City. After issuing the debut single "Hurricane Laughter," they mounted their first tour in 2017, which helped build a strong live following. Three further singles appeared the next year—"Boys in the Better Land," "Chequeless Reckless," and "Too Real"—all later included on the Dan Carey-produced debut album Dogrel, released in 2019.

Only six months after that record, Fontaines began work on new material and headed to Los Angeles to track A Hero's Death. Again produced by Carey and issued in July 2020, the album entered the Top Ten on several major charts and secured a Grammy nomination in the U.S., while introducing richer vocal harmonies and psychedelic touches. The 2021 concert LP Fontaines D.C. Live at Kilmainham Gaol filled the interim before the band and Carey completed their third album. Drawing its title from a traditional Irish expression, Skinty Fia from 2022 became their first release to top the charts in Ireland and the U.K. The year after, Chatten issued his initial solo album before the group reconvened in the studio. During this period Fontaines D.C. teamed with Massive Attack and Young Fathers on the 2024 charity single "Ceasefire," benefiting Médecins Sans Frontières efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. "Starburster" surfaced in April 2024 as the lead track from the fourth album, Romance. Issued that August and produced by James Ford, the record expanded the band's palette with greater sophistication and stylistic range while exploring Japanese manga-inspired motifs of futurism and dystopia. It peaked at number two on the U.K. Albums chart and entered the Billboard 200, also bringing the group their first Grammy nods for Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance for "Starburster."