There’s something so unique about watching Fontaines D.C. play at a cemetery in Hollywood, California. Palm trees swayed behind the outdoor stage under the nearly full moon, and everywhere you turned, people were wearing Fontaines jerseys, tour merch, DIY shirts, and even Romance skirts. The setting alone made the night feel different from your typical concert.
We first covered Fontaines D.C.’s live show at Primavera Sound LA in 2022, and ever since, we have seen the Irish band grow exponentially, and rightfully so. Despite their rapid fame, the band somehow manages to keep the core of their sound consistent while continuing to evolve.
Their opener, Rew, was the perfect tone setter as the sun began to set over Hollywood Forever. Rew ended his set with “Yung & Writhing,” which was one of my most-listened-to songs at one point, making it a pretty special way to close out his set.
Fontaines D.C. started their set strong with “Boys in the Better Land,” followed by “Here’s the Thing” and “Nabokov.” They also played their newly released song “Marianne” from their upcoming album Dopamine Chamber, which is set to be released next month. The new song fit naturally into their set while still feeling like a glimpse into where the band is heading next.
The band has never shied away from expressing their political views, and their fans have continued to reflect that same willingness to use their voices. Throughout the crowd, Palestinian flags were being waved as fans sang and chanted “Free, Free Palestine.” It was another reminder of how Fontaines D.C.’s influence extends beyond their music and into the community they’ve built around it.
Fontaines D.C. also gave fans a preview of two unreleased songs from the upcoming album, “Tongue” and “Happy For You.” Hearing new material alongside some of their older songs made the set feel like a look at both where Fontaines D.C. have been and where they’re going next.
And honestly, the cemetery setting made the whole thing feel even more memorable. Between the nearly full moon, palm trees, packed crowd, and Fontaines D.C. moving through a set that blended their past with what’s coming next, it felt like a very Los Angeles kind of night.
Photos by Delyla Carline
More Photos of Fontaines D.C. at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
