Was Fontaines D.C. and Oasis beefing this month on my bingo card? No. Was Elton John claiming Fontaines D.C. as “the best band out there right now” this month on my bingo card? Also no. Maybe I need a new bingo card for Fontaines D.C. because 2024 has been quite the year for them. From a smashing new album, to rocking out sold-out shows, Fontaines D.C. is finally getting the recognition they deserve. All press is good press, right?
On September 27, 2024, famously known all-ages venue Soma hosted NYC-based Been Stellar & Dublin rockstars Fontaines D.C. for the night. As I arrived at the venue, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a dress code because the audience understood the assignment: Doc Martens, oversized graphic tees, and baggy jeans.
Although Been Stellar were the openers for the night, they had brought in a huge crowd for their set. Genuinely speaking, their debut album, Scream from New York, NY, is one of the most legendary debuts I’ve ever witnessed. Being impressed by their work for years now, I was ecstatic seeing them live for the first time. As of February of this year, Been Stellar is signed to British independent record label Dirty Hit. It’s clear their journey has just begun.
Frontman of Been Stellar., Sam Slocum, performing in San Diego on September 27, 2024 // by Vanessa Chan
As the title track from their album blasted through the speakers, the roar of screams from San Diego, CA haunted the venue. As they performed songs from their discography, mainly focusing on their 10-track project released in June, the crowd was in awe of the band’s unique dreamy shoegaze sound. I was patiently waiting for months to experience these songs live and Been Stellar did not disappoint.
Bassist of Been Stellar, Nico Brunstein, performing in San Diego on September 27, 2024 // by Vanessa Chan
Been Stellar’s Setlist // September 27, 2024 // San Diego // Soma Mainstage
- Scream from New York, NY
- Passing Judgment
- Manhattan Youth
- PUmpkin
- All In One
- Kids 1995
- I Have The Answer
As Been Stellar left the stage, the crowd could not contain their excitement for Dublin’s hottest band right now. As I conversed with some fans gripping onto the barricades, they told me how they had been camping out since the morning for their spots. They even told me how their group of 8 of them met through being fans of Fontaines D.C. How beautiful is that?
Frontman of Fontaines D.C., Grian Chatten, performing in San Diego on September 27, 2024 // by Vanessa Chan
As the house lights went down and green stage lighting overwhelmed the stage, three letters emerged: F, D, and C. As each member stepped onto the stage at a time, the anticipation had the crowd screaming like their life depended on it. The high energy in the room was through the roof before the band performed one song. “Romance”, the title track of their latest project, started to play. Grian creeped onto the stage during this haunting track and immediately got up and close with us in the photo pit and in front of barraice. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t stunned by this man’s aura.
Throughout the night, Grian’s stage presence stood out to me like a sore thumb. This man knows how to put on a show. From climbing on equipment, to running around the stage while singing, I was entertained throughout the whole hour and a half set. That’s how a frontman of a band is supposed to perform.
Singing fan favorites “Roman Holiday”, “Bug”, “A Hero’s Death”, “Sha Sha Sha”, “Boys In The Better Land”, and “Favorite”, the band quickly exited the stage. The band had the crowd screaming for an encore for 5 minutes before returning back to the stage! Maybe they were pregaming the encore…. Emerging from the darkness, the band saved the best tunes for last: “In The Modern World”, “I Love You”, and “Starburster”. As they waved goodbye, the band gave away their trinkets (drum sticks, guitar picks, and setlists) to the crowd of fans. I was lucky enough to be given a guitar pick as they were exiting the stage. Thanks Fontaines D.C. for such a memorable night!
Frontman of Fontaines D.C., Grian Chatten, performing in San Diego on September 27, 2024 // by Vanessa Chan
Have you ever been to a concert where the live version of songs sound better than the original versions on streaming platforms? Well, that’s how I felt about Fontaines D.C. Even though I was already a fan of their music prior to the show, witnessing them perform these songs live was such an experience. I even brought a friend of mine who had never heard of them, and she left a massive fan.
Frontman of Fontaines D.C., Grian Chatten, performing in San Diego on September 27, 2024 // by Vanessa Chan
Fontaines D.C. Setlist // September 27, 2024 // San Diego // Soma Mainstage
- Romance
- Jackie Down The Line
- Televised Mind
- Roman Holiday
- Big Shot
- Death Kink
- A Hero’s Death
- Bug
- Big
- Sha Sha Sha
- Sundowner
- A Lucid Dream
- Here’s The Thing
- Boys In The Better Land
- Favorite
- In The Modern World
- I Love You
- Starburster