Fontaines DC‘s excellent new album Romance has been out for about a month, and it’s one that we haven’t been able to shake. We called it their best album yet, and apparently we’re not the only ones who think that. Elton John does too.
Elton had Fontaines singer Grian Chatten on his ‘Elton John’s Rocket Hour’ show, and he said, “Fontaines DC, for me–and I’ve watched you grow from album to album–have been the band that have progressed musically, lyrically, live, every single album, and they’ve changed their sound. For me, you’re the best band out there at the moment, having watched you at Glastonbury, having heard the new album. You’ve just grown with every album, and you seem to have found your feet with this album in such a big way.”
Grian agreed with that last point: “I kinda feel like it’s the first time that I haven’t been chasing it with another record, you know what I mean? I’m not anxious to have the next one done. I’m kind of enjoying being in this thing.”
Elton then adds, “I think this album takes you–and I’ve been around a long time–takes you to a different level. I just think this is the album that breaks you through to the act that you always promised to be, from a popularity standpoint. And the music is just so great.”
“I just think it’s a fantastic record, and it’s gonna stay around for a long, long time.”
Here’s their conversation for more:
Fontaines were in NYC back in May for a rowdy pre-release show at Warsaw, and they were supposed to begin their fall tour on Friday (9/20) but they had to postpone the first three dates in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver due to illness. “I’ve come down with some kind of flu that has affected my throat. Probably picked it up on the flight over here,” Grian said on Friday. The next day, he added, “Despite the rest and medication, I can now not even speak without pain.” Hopefully he’ll be ready to get back out there in time for the San Francisco show on Tuesday (9/24).
If all goes well, Fontaines will be back in NYC for shows on October 15 and 16 at Brooklyn Paramount with Been Stellar. All dates are listed below.
Fontaines DC — 2024/2025 Tour Dates
Sep 24 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
Sep 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Sep 27 – San Diego, CA – SOMA
Sep 28 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater
Sep 30 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
Oct 2 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
Oct 4 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada
Oct 5 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
Oct 6 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
Oct 8 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Oct 9 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
Oct 11 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Oct 12 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
Oct 13 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
Oct 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
Oct 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
Oct 18 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Oct 19 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Oct 20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Nov 1 – Lisbon, PT – Sagres Campo Pequeno
Nov 2 – Madrid, ES – WiZink Center
Nov 4 – Milan, IT – Alcatraz
Nov 5 – Zurich, CH – X-TRA
Nov 7 – Munich, DE – Zenith
Nov 8 – Berlin, DE – Uber Eats Music Hall
Nov 9 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen
Nov 11 – Hamburg, DE – Sporthalle
Nov 12 – Cologne, DE – E-Werk
Nov 13 – Paris, FR – Zénith Paris-La Villette
Nov 15 – Brussels, BE – Forest National
Nov 16 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
Nov 17 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
Nov 20 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Halls
Nov 22 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
Nov 23 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
Nov 24 – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Nov 26 – Plymouth, UK – Pavilions
Nov 27 – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Nov 29 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios
Nov 30- Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios
Dec 1 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios
Dec 3 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Dec 4 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Dec 6 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Dec 7 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
July 5, 2025 – Finsbury Park, London