Fontaines D.C.

"I’m gonna be big," sang Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. five years ago, and no one doubted it for a second. Few bands in recent years have risen as swiftly and convincingly as this Irish powerhouse. Their near-flawless 2019 debut, Dogrel, captured the raw essence of Dublin—a city that’s gritty and chaotic, yet also romantic and poetic. The “D.C.” in their name stands for Dublin City, a reflection of their roots. Fontaines D.C. quickly evolved, taking giant strides with each release. By their fourth album, Romance (2024), they’ve fully transformed into something extraordinary. The frantic post-punk of their early days has melted away, replaced by influences from Japanese manga and Italian cinema, pushing aside the Dublin-centric themes of their beginnings. Fontaines D.C. has stepped confidently onto the global stage, and the world is ready for them.