RECAP: FONTAINES D.C BRINGS 'ROMANCE TOUR' TO THE COMMODORE BALLROOM IN VANCOUVER

Backspin Canada
Apr 20
3 min read

Updated: Apr 25

Fontaines D.C. finally made it back to Vancouver after a long wait, and they didn’t waste a second reminding us why the buzz around their latest album Romance hasn’t cooled off since it dropped last year. The show was rescheduled from fall 2024, but if there was any leftover frustration about the delay, it vanished the second the house lights dimmed.

Photos by Caroline Charruyer / Backspin Canada — Photos by **Caroline Charruyer** / Backspin Canada

Fontaines D.C. are a five-piece band from Dublin known for their gritty post-punk roots, poetic lyrics, and relentless touring. Every album has pushed their sound into stranger, bolder territory. They’ve gone from shouting over garage rock riffs to crafting lush, synth-laced epics, all while keeping that same raw, urgent energy at the centre.

They opened with "Romance," the eerie, synth-heavy title track that’s been the centerpiece of this new chapter for the band. The low hum built into something massive, then out came the band one by one.

Then came "Jackie Down the Line," with the crowd already shouting back lyrics back the band, and "Televised Mind," back to back and fired off with the kind of swagger only a band this deep into their catalog can pull off. Grian Chatten stalked the stage like he owned it, barely speaking except to thank the audience for being here, just radiating that quiet menace he’s become known for. His voice, part preacher, part punk poet, cut through everything.

Fontaines aren’t just a post-punk band anymore. The Romance material proves it. It’s more cinematic and layered. Newer track "It's Amazing To Be Young" was highlight of the night. The whole band sang on that one, turning it into something huge and open-hearted. The setlist hit every album. Dogrel still hits, and Skinty Fia brought the brooding heaviness. But it was the Romance stuff that felt like the main event.

They wrapped the main set with "Boys in the Better Land" and "Favourite," both massive, euphoric, full-room singalongs accompanied by a mini-mosh. It felt like the floor could cave in. The crowd was loud all night, but this was its peak.

The encore started soft with "In The Modern World," then surged through "Desire" and "I Love You." When "Starburster" hit, it felt like something snapped. It’s such a wild, anxiety-ridden track. Live, it’s even more intense.

Fontaines D.C. are in their prime right now. They’ve evolved into something that’s harder to define, but impossible to ignore. Their shows are pressure cookers full of tension and catharsis. Vancouver got the full treatment. And honestly, it was worth the wait.

Opening the night was UK duo Jadu Heart, who brought in their hazy, electro-psych mix of dreamy vocals and moody beats. They kept things low-key but locked in, drawing a curious and quiet crowd that swayed along through songs. Not a band for big stage banter, but the vibe was strong, and their set fit the night’s atmosphere.

Remaining Romance Tour Dates:

04/19 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater

04/21 Salt Lake City, UT - The Union

04/22 Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom

04/24 Dallas, TX - Studio at the Factory

04/25 Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall

04/26 Austin, TX - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater

04/28 New Orleans, LA - Civic Theatre

04/29 Atlanta, GA - The Eastern

04/30 Nashville, TV - Marathon Music Works

05/02 Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom

05/03 Raleigh, NC - The Ritz