Sold Out

Fontaines D.C. have just announced their biggest Irish show to date: a headline slot at Belfast Vital, set for April 22nd at Boucher Road Playing Fields. Tickets went on sale this morning (April 25th, 2025) at 10:00am and were completely gone within 35 minutes. Joining them on stage will be none other than Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, who’ve been making waves at home and abroad. But not everyone is thrilled about the sold-out event.

Sarah Bunting, DUP group leader at Belfast City Hall, has called for a review of the event's licence, following Kneecap’s controversial performance at Coachella on April 18th. That show included visuals with the phrase “F*** Israel. Free Palestine,” alongside statements accusing Israel of committing genocide, backed by U.S. support.

During their Coachella set, rapper Mo Chara told the crowd:
“The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the skies with nowhere to go. The Palestinians have nowhere to go.”

The performance drew criticism from several corners. Including Sharon Osbourne, who publicly called for the group’s U.S. visas to be revoked due to their "aggressive political statements."

Kneecap weren’t exactly shaken. In an interview with Rolling Stone, they responded:
“Her rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to ‘War Pigs’—written by Black Sabbath (her husband).”

Controversial or not, there’s no denying Kneecap’s influence. They’re one of the most vital and exciting hip-hop acts in the world right now. No surprise then that Fontaines D.C. have booked them for nearly every summer date on their tour.

Fontaines D.C. are on the rise. Politics aside, selling 40,000 tickets in just 35 minutes is no small feat, and it’s clear that something even bigger is on the horizon. Stadiums? Perhaps even Croke Park? At this rate, it seems inevitable.

With the release of Romance, Fontaines have tapped into an entirely new audience, marking a significant evolution in both their sound and artistic direction. The band has embraced a diverse range of influences, from trip-hop to 1980s indie, 1990s shoegaze, and even 2000s nu-metal. While Romance is their most diverse album yet, it is also their most accessible. This shift is reflected not only in the rapid ticket sales for their summer shows but also in the reception they've received at major festivals.

At Glastonbury 2024, Fontaines D.C. delivered a performance that was emotionally charged and sonically expansive. Opening with the brooding title track ‘Romance’, they set the tone with intensity and introspection. The setlist flowed seamlessly through fan favorites like ‘Jackie Down The Line’ and ‘Televised Mind’, effortlessly blending melancholic melodies with raw, infectious energy. NME praised the band's performance, noting their ability to transition smoothly between songs while maintaining a palpable connection with the audience.

Their appearance at Reading Festival 2024 only solidified their upward trajectory. Performing tracks like ‘Death Kink’ and ‘Here’s the Thing’, Fontaines D.C. captivated the crowd with a dynamic mix of aching melancholia and gritty indie anthems. NME called their set a “marker in their ascension,” underscoring their growing presence in the live music scene. It’s clear: the only way is up for Fontaines, they've made it clear they’re determined to be the best band in the world.

With their summer tour well upcoming, Fontaines D.C. will be bringing their high-octane live show to several major festivals and venues across the UK and Ireland. Catch them at Finsbury Park, London on July 5th, TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow on July 12th, Exhibition Park in Newcastle on July 13th, Cardiff Castle on July 30th, All Together Now Festival in Waterford on August 1st, Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 15th, and Belfast Vital at Boucher Road Playing Fields in Belfast on August 29th.

Thank you for reading 

Jack