Live Review
5th July 2025
A crowd of 45,000 witnesses a performance that is sure to solidify the Irish band as headline acts at major festivals.
Neon flashes of green, pink, and blue fill the bottleneck leading out of Finsbury Park station in London. This vibrant, cyberpunk atmosphere belongs to ‘Romance’, last year’s bronze winner in DIY’s Albums of the Year list. This is the album that overturned everything we thought we understood about Fontaines DC, showcasing five introspective Irish musicians who had previously battled with burnout (‘A Hero’s Death’) and shifts in identity (‘Skinty Fia’) as they fully transformed their style, venturing into a dystopian realm that blends with reality. The striking announcement video for this event, filmed on a dismal day a year prior, underscored the ambition that now characterizes the band. This gig takes place just a short distance from The Finsbury, the pub where they first performed in London to a mere 30 people back in 2017. After supporting Sam Fender on this same stage in 2022, it is finally Fontaines DC’s turn before a massive audience of 45,000. Everyone gets a chance, baby. Bringing along some of guitar music's leading artists (including Cardinals and Been Stellar), DIY tunes into a beautiful snippet of Blondshell’s ‘Salad’ as we make our way through the gates, greeted by a sea of fans eagerly awaiting Kneecap. Among the largest crowd Finsbury Park has ever seen at 5:30 PM is none other than Dave Grohl, watching intently from the sound tower. “It’s nice to be back in London and not be up in court,” jokes Kneecap’s Mo Chara. Despite the recent media frenzy surrounding the band following their clear condemnation of the Israeli government for its actions in Gaza, it’s easy to overlook the hit tracks Kneecap has to offer. Tracks like the hard-hitting ‘Guilty Conscience’ and the psychedelic, high-energy ‘I’m Flush’ both ignite the mosh pits into chaos. Dressed in a shiny silver jacket and a wizard-like pointed beanie, Grian Chatten appears for ‘Better Way To Live’, teasing the audience with what lies ahead. Amidst the excitement and quips, Mo Chara takes a moment to emphasize perspective, as the crowd listens closely. “You’re in a field with people you love, who think like you… remember how fortunate we are to have this day.” Leading chants of ‘free, free, Palestine’ as the sun breaks through the clouds, a profound sense of gratitude fills Finsbury Park.
Next up is Amyl & The Sniffers, displaying a powerful performance. Since their last album ‘Cartoon Darkness’ released in October, the band’s live sound has transformed into a relentless wave of noise-rock, driven by Declan Martens’ Gibson Explorer. No words are wasted, whether it's Amy Taylor's stark reminder of ongoing issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence ("fellas, we really need you") before ‘Knifey’, or her call for active political engagement. ‘Hertz’ is chanted back like a football anthem while ‘Chewing Gum’ thunders, with Amy’s cheeky Australian accent blending seamlessly with the band's dynamic sound. It’s polished, raw, making you want to grab a ticket for their upcoming Alexandra Palace show this October.
Let’s give it up for the boys. As knee-jerk neon flashes signal Fontaines DC’s arrival, the intensely grungy opener ‘Here’s The Thing’ elevates Finsbury Park – packed to capacity – to a different plane. Remarkably, ‘Boys In The Better Land’ follows, triggering the night’s first flares as Grian edges closer to the front, clad in a checkered kilt and that same silver jacket, which he soon discards. Tonight, Fontaines DC reigns supreme on this stage. ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ brings everything back down to earth, channeling the blissful essence of being alive. Similarly, the repeated phrase "Life ain’t always empty" from ‘A Hero’s Death’ feels more urgent than ever, its consistent placement in the setlist reminding us of the foundational principles that this band stands for. ‘Bug’ becomes a fan favorite, dedicated to Grian’s partner, Georgie Jesson, creating an uplifting moment of fans on shoulders, while a rare performance of ‘Hurricane Laughter’ is accentuated by darkening clouds looming over Finsbury Park. The pitch-shifted power of ‘Desire’ evokes the sound of the Smashing Pumpkins. Grian expresses his gratitude, “Thank you so much to each and every one of you here,” before catching himself. “I’m talking too much here.”
Throughout the day, Palestinian flags flooded Finsbury
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45,000 people were present to witness an event that will undoubtedly establish the iconic Irish band as leading headliners at major festivals.