Fontaines DC Bologna June 7 2022

                                   - Bologna (Locomotiv) June 7 2022 -  

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After a few days i want to put into words my feelings on the FDC concerts. Maybe so I don't forget (i'm not getting any younger), and maybe to share my experience.

DAY 1 — Bologna June 7 2022

After having seen them in March at Milan's Alcatraz, while the pandemic was still very much present and Skinty Fia had yet to be dropped, i was looking forward to seeing them in more normal circumstances.

I was hoping to get there for 4pm but the heavens opened right on cue over the skies of Bologna. I decide to play for time, my pre-concert nerves rising with each minute that passed.

Then at 6pm the skies miraculously began to clear. Gates opened at 7pm with the concert starting at 9:30. I was a bit worried about getting there only an hour before but luckily there were only a few people in front of me.

I spot the Fontaines tour bus and Curley, who's making his way to it, and I summon up the courage to ask for a photo. He agrees and is really kind about it.

Only after do i remember that i've made a leather Fontaines wristband and brought along a white pen especially to get it signed with. Luckily Deego then appears so I ask him for a photo and an autograph. 

It must be my lucky day because I also see Carlos and Tom.

I ask Carlos for a pic and he signs my wristband; I only ask Tom for an autograph since I already got a pic with him in Milan (i don't want to look like a stalker 😀 ). There's no sign of Grian.

The gates open at 7:15 and I manage to get a place at the barrier. It's the second time I find myself in front of Carlos but that's absolutely fine, i'm just glad to be at the front since i'm not the tallest person in the world.

I love going to gigs because the others around you are there because they share the same passion for that particular group and above all for that genre (luckily still quite a niche market in Italy). Time flies and before i know it the boys take to the stage at 9:30 on the dot.

Right away i see that the stage set has changed. In March 'Fontaines DC' was lit up in yellow on a red backdrop.

Now red roses adorn a huge metal grid with the band's name lit up in the colours of the Irish flag. Grian appears wearing his habitual Scarface tee and Adidas tracksuit bottoms over (and sometimes tucked in to) black boots.

I admit tracky bottoms and boots aren't an obvious pairing but of course Grian pulls it off effortlessly. Carlos, whose once flame-red hair has now taken on a faded pink tinge, is wearing a white vest with 60's style light grey trousers and a pair of mocassins with chain detail.

Deego is wearing jeans with mocassins and a white polo shirt with stripes of varying blue.

Curley seems to be on the same page as Carlos fashion-wise, sporting a lilac vest with 60's style trousers and boots that have the same vibe. I personally love the way Tom dresses.

He's wearing a tee with “Last gasp” on it - who i've discovered are a hardcore punk band from Cleveland - camoflage combat trousers and a pair of black Adidas.

They open with “A Lucid Dream” from the album A Hero's Death.

Though they've completed a gruelling European tour, Grian and the boys give it their all from the off. Next up come "Hurricane Laughter” and “Sha Sha Sha”, from debut album Dogrel which seem to get the crowd of the Arena Puccini going.

“Roman Holiday”, from latest record Skinty Fia, gives us a taste of their new sound which never ceases to amaze. The setlist is varied and gives them a chance to exhibit their body of work.

“I Don't Belong” takes us back to A Hero's Death before they dip into Dogrel with “Chequeless Reckless”.

Their second album is again represented this time with the mesmerising “Televised Mind”. “Nabokov” and “Big Shot” (written by Carlos), bring us back to Skinty Fia and then, jumping back in time three years to my first love, Dogrel, they blast out "Too Real”.

They continue with “How cold love is” and “I love you”…it would seem there's a lot of love in the new album…actually it's not that simple but here is not the place to explain the meaning of the songs. “A Hero's Death”, the eponymous single of the album , concludes the first part of the gig as Grian reminds us that “..Life ain't always empty".

Grian and the boys played for an hour without uttering a word to the crowd.

During this time Carlos climbed down from the stage with his guitar and wandered about in front of us.

Grian only slammed his mic down a few times at the beginning; i think he gave up after seeing that the stand wouldn't hold out, so to make up for it he tugged away frantically at his t-shirt.

I thought the crowd would call for an encore so I started a tentative "Fontaines" chant but to no avail..

Luckily they reappeared on stage for another 3 songs starting with "Skinty fia” and “Jackie down the line” from the latest record.

The songs are already great but sound even better live!! As soon as i hear the first bars of “Boys in the Better Land” i'm on cloud nine, so pleased they concluded the show with a banger from Dogrel....because…"Oh, that's the spirit…” I leave happy, safe in the knowledge i have seen something really special and make my way home to prepare for next evening's show and the road to Milan.

Can't wait to do it all over again!!!