2024 has been a landmark year for Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. Following their acclaimed performance at Glastonbury and a triumphant set at Reading & Leeds Festival, their fourth album, “Romance,” soared to Number 2 on the U.K. Official Album Charts, garnering widespread critical acclaim.
Now, the band has received a glowing endorsement from music legend Elton John, who expressed his admiration for the group during a recent episode of his Apple Music radio show, “Rocket Hour.”
A “Brilliant Record” That Will “Stay Around for a Long, Long Time”
In conversation with Fontaines D.C.’s frontman, Grian Chatten, Elton John held nothing back in his praise. “For me, you’re the best band out there at the moment,” he declared, setting the tone for an interview filled with enthusiastic compliments.
John, known for championing emerging artists on his show, commended the band’s evolution, stating, “Having watched you at Glastonbury, having heard the new album, you’ve just grown every album.” He went on to describe “Romance” as a “brilliant record,” adding, “I think this album takes you – and I’ve been around for a long time – to a different level, and it’s going to stay around for a long, long time.”
The music icon highlighted the exceptional nature of the band’s sound, concluding, “But what’s more important about it: the music is really, really, really special. Congratulations on everything, Grian. It’s bloody wonderful.”
Chart Success and Critical Acclaim
Fontaines D.C.’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. All four of their studio albums—”Dogrel” (2019), “A Hero’s Death” (2020), “Skinty Fia” (2022), and “Romance” (2024)—have secured top 10 positions on both the U.K. and Irish album charts. “Romance,” their first release under their new label, XL Recordings (home to Radiohead, The Prodigy, and others), signifies a pivotal moment in their career trajectory.
Overcoming Setbacks and Looking Ahead
Despite their recent success, Fontaines D.C. has faced challenges, including the postponement of several U.S. tour dates due to a vocal injury sustained by Chatten. However, the band remains determined to connect with fans, with their tour scheduled to resume shortly.
As they prepare to embark on a series of major gigs across Europe and the U.K. and Ireland in the coming months, one can’t help but wonder if a certain legendary musician might be spotted among the crowd, eager to witness the brilliance of Fontaines D.C. firsthand.
