I first saw Fontaines in Belfast in the Ulster Hall in December 2022, a few months after ‘Skinty Fia’ was released, to a crowd of roughly 1,500, and that’s when I truly knew they were destined to be one of Ireland's most renowned live acts, and to see them play to such a colossal, engaging crowd was phenomenal, an emotional moment for everyone in attendance.
Heading down a few hours before the headliner, I managed to catch all of Chalk’s set and I’m delighted I did. Chalk are a local act that I’d seen a few times before, and I can confidently say that they never disappoint. It was the early stages of the gig when the crowd was floating about, getting essential outfit pictures, stocking up on overpriced merch and pints bound to be spilled yet I found that Chalk managed to catch the eyes and ears of everyone about. I have to mention that seeing groups of friends dancing away to a band you’ve been following since the beginning is a super wholesome moment. Sometimes when it comes to picking a local smaller support, it can feel that the choice is a little rogue and feels out of place, but that was certainly not the case here. The intense, post-punk energy made a lot of sense for this gig, reminding me a little of ‘Skinty Fia’ or ‘Dogrel’ era Fontaines. As if the crowd wasn’t buzzing enough, tracks such as ‘Static’ had everyone bopping their heads, ready for what’s to come.
Shortly after, Kneecap graced the stage. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Kneecap are one of the most talked about groups in Belfast, if not the entirety of Ireland at the minute, whether that be for Mo Chara’s court appearances sparking an abundance of online support or viral TikTok audios of ‘Hood’ and ‘Guilty Conscience’, they are in the spotlight, and using it for good. The energy the crowd had for Kneecap was astounding, mosh pits throughout the field, the gig was unofficially named Kneetaines online after all. The highlight of the set for me was when Grian Chatten came out to perform ‘Better Way To Live’, the single that had all Kneecap and Fontaines fanatics awestruck. The energy that Moglai Bap, Mo Chara and Dj Provai have on stage is completely unmatched, and even more special because this is their biggest hometown show ever, shouting out West Belfast mid-set. Their most recent single, ‘The Recap’ sets the tone for what’s to come for their music, chaos and integrity, all rapped as gaeilge of course. When performing this track, Dj Provai joined the pit, which at this point honestly felt as though they were the headliner.
Less than an hour and one giant heart balloon blown up later, Fontaines took to the stage with ‘Here’s The Thing’ , the repetitive guitar part leading up to an impressive vocal from Grian, and establishing the unstoppable energy from the band that will remain until the lights dimmed post-encore. The setlist consisted mainly of songs from ‘Romance’, with a few older tracks sprinkled in at some points. A highlight of the show for me would be ‘Jackie Down The Line’ a few songs in, swiftly followed by ‘Boys In The Better Land’, fan favourites that just a couple of years ago would have been considered encore songs. This grouping of tracks together got me and a few others around a little emotional early; however, I blame it on the nostalgia these songs hold. The tears truly started to flow during ‘Favourite’ I have to admit, because what’s more emotional and bittersweet than standing in a muddy field with your best mates singing about how long they’ve been your favourite?
Grian, who usually is not very chatty when performing, dedicated songs to Kneecap, Lewis Capaldi (who was unexpectedly in the crowd) and their team that has stuck through 165 shows. The band also encouraged free Palestine chants, as well as displaying a free Palestine graphic during the band's most politically indignant song, ‘I Love You’. It was powerful, tearful and received by an Irish audience that shared the same outrage at the world at the minute, eager to channel all these emotions into song. Overall, the night was exactly as anticipated. There was teary moments, surprises (including them playing ‘Liberty Belle’ - arguably the best song on ‘Dogrel’) and the happiest memories made with good mates while the best of Irish music was appreciated by all.
Amy Porter
Image: Amy Porter