Fontaines D.C. Live in Brooklyn and Meeting Alex Turner in One Night. What is Life?
It's been a hot minute since we last caught up, hasn't it? Life's been throwing curveballs left and right, and we didn't want to dish out any subpar content. But still, we are sorry. After a brief hiatus, we're back with a tale that's bound to captivate your senses. Picture this: a few days ago, we stumbled upon an Instagram post announcing a one-night-only Fontaines D.C show in Warsaw Brooklyn for a mere $34. However, within minutes, resale tickets were soaring to $250 and beyond. The frenzy was palpable, but after seven months of hard work in Florida, it felt like a warm welcome back to the city we hold dear.
Photo: Sacha Lecca for Rolling Stone
Our mission? Simple. Secure barricade spots for the concert (and maybe, just maybe, earn a nod of approval from Grian himself. A girl can dream, can't she?).
Photo: Will Oliver
For those uninitiated, Fontaines D.C is a formidable Irish punk rock band, with talents of Grian Chatten, Carlos O’Connell, Conor Deegan, Tom Coll, Conor Curley, and Chilli Jesson who also joined the band for this show. Their music is a potent blend of darkness, cynicism, and unmistakably Irish spirit, drawing listeners into their world with magnetic force.
Photo: Griffin Lotz for Rolling Stone
The night of the show was nothing short of electrifying. The debut of "Starbuster," a track from their upcoming album, Romance, set the crowd ablaze, while "Boys in the Better Band" incited a mosh pit frenzy that left a few bruised ribs in its wake. During the encore, they treated us to the debut of their latest track, "Favorite." Let me tell you, that guitar riff is still echoing in our minds. It's the kind of song you'd blast in your car as the sun dips below the horizon. Every soul in that venue was there for one reason and one reason only - Fontaines D.C. And let us tell you, nabbing those barricade spots? It was like winning the lottery.
Photo: Griffin Lotz for Rolling Stone
But here's where the night took an unexpected turn. As we were soaking in the post-gig euphoria, Imagine our astonishment when, out of the corner of our eyes, we spotted a figure casually leaning against a wall, engrossed in conversation as if the world around him held no sway. We felt like inadvertent stalkers, questioning the validity of what we were witnessing. Yet, it wasn't a figment of our imagination. Before us stood Alex Motherfreaking Turner.
Photo: Zachary Michael
As much as we pride ourselves on composure, I (Mishel) couldn't contain my excitement. My hands shook, and my vision tunneled as I grappled with the enormity of the moment. Approaching him felt like the most daunting task I'd ever faced. My body pulsed with nerves, but I forced myself to speak. "Hey Alex," I managed to squeak out, unsure if even a whisper escaped my lips. Miraculously, he heard me, meeting my gaze with a calm demeanor.
Summoning every ounce of courage, I requested a photo, fully prepared for rejection. To my relief, he obliged. Our conversation flowed from there, a mix of admiration and gratitude for the impact his music had on us. While we knew we'd likely fade into the sea of faces he encounters, the sincerity in his gaze left an indelible mark on us. The rest of the night passed in a blur, my mind consumed with disbelief at the encounter. Recovery seemed a distant notion. This was a moment to be cherished for a lifetime.
Interacting with Fontaines D.C post-show only heightened our admiration for them. Tom entertained our inquiries about tattoos and generously spent over an hour engaging with fans outside, fielding questions about the band and their music. We also had a moment of realization about just how intimidating Carlos can be. Despite his kindness in answering our questions, there's an undeniable coolness about him that makes it difficult to find the right words in his presence. Does that make sense? While Grian received our gushing praise for their music with grace. We couldn't shake the feeling of euphoria. Fontaines D.C had left an indelible mark on us, and we can’t wait to do it all over again in October. So, fellow groupies, buckle up because this band is about to take the U.S. by storm. And you better believe we'll be here every step of the way, bringing you all the deets. See you next Thursday!
All our love,
Your Favorite Groupies
