Fontaines D.C.: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Ann Powers | May 17, 2022
Filmed in Chicago’s beautiful brick Irish American Heritage Center during a recent tour, this four-song set begins with Fontaines D.C. singer Grian Chatten in the stacks at the center’s library, playing a button accordion and singing the mordant ballad “The Couple Across the Way” as cellist Maureen Dunne and violist Isaac Henry accompany him. An emotional touchstone on the band’s latest album, "Skinty Fia," it’s a taste of an unfinished Fontaines project: the Irish group originally planned to release a double set with half traditionally-styled tunes and half the searing, atmospheric post-punk that makes this third LP the band’s best.
But we won’t stay here in the quiet, unsettled heart. Chatten ambles over to the library’s open area, where the band is set up alongside members of the Northwestern University Choir to perform “In ár gCroíthe go deo.” The eerie blend of the choir’s harmonies and the band’s droning, building rhythms moves this music from storytelling to poetry. The song is a keen: an Irish lament for a dead woman whose family wanted the song’s title phrase inscribed on her grave but were thwarted when officials in their English hometown demanded a translation. “Gone is the night, gone is the day,” Chatten sings through gritted teeth as the choir and his bandmates chant those lost Irish words. Another library corner offers a dynamic shift, as Carlos O’Connell leads the tender, drifting “Big Shot” with delicate keyboard. Then it’s back to the noise with “Nabokov” - the perfect tune for tearing up an archive - and a final surprise sends the set into happy chaos.
SET LIST
“The Couple Across The Way”
“In ár gCroíthe go deo”
“Big Shot”
“Nabokov”
MUSICIANS
Grian Chatten: vocals, accordion
Carlos O'Connell: guitar, keyboard
Conor Curley: guitar, backing vocals
Conor Deegan III: bass guitar, backing vocals
Tom Coll: drums
Maureen Dunne: cello
Isaac Henry: viola
Choir:
Tom Avery
Joe Blanchard
Emily Ann Brooks
Peter Carroll
Martina Cavard Blanco
Mariana Leone
Maddie Mazzella
Emily Somé
Jackson Owen
Olivia Whitmer
CREDITS
Produced and Directed by Jamie Fleischel and Josh Modell
Cameras by Corey Lillard, Matt Carroll, John Sedivy
Recorded by Chris Butterworth
Monitors by Mat Acreman
Audio mixed by Dan and Orla Carey
String arrangements by Violeta Vicci
Vocal Consultant: Melissa Foster
Thank you to the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Kara Frame
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bobby Carter, Joshua Bryant, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
VP, NPR Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#NPRMusic #TinyDesk #FontainesDC

[@The_KlaVra]

I loved that they didnt choose the big big singles and decided to go with the deep cuts of Skinty Fia... Its truly beautiful...

[@fede7289]

Onestly these are my fav of a whole amazing album

[@GibbyBoy2831]

The singles haven’t propelled them to superstardom, it’s been the albums. And the thing with the albums are that you can’t simply listen to an individual song, they draw you into listen to the albums in their entirety.

[@evakeith9698]

@@GibbyBoy2831 absolutely, every time i want to listen to one song i somehow end up listening to the entire album, it’s insanity.

[@nicklopez7141]

I learned to appreciate that. was wanting to hear the singles but loved the deeper songs and creativeness

[@moegerms]

@@evakeith9698 - it's not insanity. It's good music.

[@michaelgibson4863]

I think Grian's going to become a truly iconic frontman.

[@GibbyBoy2831]

He already is.

[@dairebeare7839]

The depth and tone of his voice on The Couple Across The Way is so much improved from their early material. Not that he was bad then by any means, but he’s developed so much as a singer and writer.

[@kanzeon7729]

Agree. But the Band still remains is a perfect blend. Everyone's got their place and fills space in these very creative arrangements.

[@evew5]

He's gonna be big, yeah he's gonna be big.

[@camplethargic8]

*TRULY* iconic, or falsely so? If it's truly - what will he symbolize, emblematize, or represent? 😉

[@rippedupmagazine]

The power outage just shows how explosive Nabokov is!!! ❤️‍🔥💥 I was lucky to see Fontaines live in Brooklyn, and their performance was so powerful

[@cjsilvestremusic]

Amazing growth for Grian's singing! My god this performance brought me to tears. So proud and so happy for this band's success! Truly well deserved! They are one of a kind and the most special band of the decade.

[@JMWproduction]

This is the greatest music discovery I have had for the last 5-10 years. Post-punk so familiar, yet so ridiculously original. I love them

[@seattlemylove]

Jesus, that first song. I can't help but cry, it's such a haunting melody and beautiful message. That last line "maybe they look through to us and hope that's them in time". How do I do anything besides lay here and listen to this on repeat.

[@_guillermo]

This version of Big Shot is sonic gold.

[@carolineb7070]

An iconic tiny desk. So dynamic in all ways. That version of Big Shot is unreal, the whole set just left me with shivers

[@RobertSlover]

shivers? get out more Caroline.....

[@osei3598]

I listen to r&b, jazz and rap mainly but have an open mind I’m going to work on understanding this sound comments like this that express excitement and interest makes me want to go through a curious deep dive into this band and sound as a whole what is the genre called?

[@carolineb7070]

@@osei3598 people put them under a “post punk” umbrella but that in itself covers a broad sound. Some tracks from their last album could also be classified as “shoegaze” (especially Nabokov). That’s what I see most people describe their genre as

[@sangresolida]

@@osei3598 It is called post-punk, but that's a very broad term. As someone commented above, their latest album has some shoegaze elements, but it also has a song that's mostly accordion. Ultimately, the genre doesn't really matter as long as you like the band, and there's a lot to be liked in Fontaines D.C.'s music.

[@josenazarenocarral7516]

@@RobertSlover 8

[@ferguskerrigan306]

Couple across the way is easily one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and that was my opinion before watching this video... This version is perfect

[@minimajjo]

Met Carlos two days ago, such a lovely lad, he was leaning back on my car and I put the window down and chatted for a while, then took a picture. I love this band.

[@moutonvincent]

And that power outage came perfectly in the rhythm of the song. Love how they react and how Carlos seems really disappointed. Shows how into the song he was.

[@CzaarCoree]

I almost cried listening to The couple across the way, didn't know Grian play the accordion on that tune

[@marwaunordest]

Very positively surprised by Conor Deegan's vocals on Nabokov, sounds great and powerful!! Also very cool they kept in the edit the moment when the power goes off, adds to the whole thing's authenticity and spontaneousness 👌

[@blirbis]

Deego has a quite beautiful voice. Must run in the family as his sister in Pixie Rhythm Cut Orchestra is fantastic.

[@marwaunordest]

@@blirbis interesting to know, thanks mate!

[@davehurst2774]

Truely adds something beautiful to the track

[@LukasTriad]

"Nabokov" is so much a powerful sound that it shut down the building. Nice to see these alternate versions of "The Couple Across the Road" and "Big Shot". And a shout out to the choir (would be veeeery nice if they had sang the sweet "Daze ya, Phase ya, Happy daAaAaAaAaAays ya" as well). Fontaines D.C is a huge band. Skinty Fia :D

[@sagemushroom]

This has to be one of the best tiny desks to date!

[@marinava6697]

@@drubbin9967 let people enjoy things 🤠

[@sagemushroom]

@@drubbin9967I think this format is completely different to the traditional tiny desk, the location, the power outage, the different chapter/scene each song brings with it. All artists you mentioned all have phenomenal concerts. For me though it takes the cake and if you can't agree, let's agree its the best tiny desk (home) concert :)

[@alfiewright1396]

Fairly large desk tho

[@mcratsix]

The few lines from The Couple Across The Way where Grian puts more emotion in. Mental how much that got to me

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *The Couple Across The Way* (3:40 / 4:02) 4:32 - *In ár gCroíthe go deo* (10:06) 10:28 - *Big Shot* (13:55) 14:12 - *Nabokov* (17:21) [17:45 - Tiny Desk team]

[@conormyers09]

Couple Across the way will always give me goosebumps. My favorite track off the album, so many slight imperfections made it such a beautiful composition

[@patrickseary]

His singing has improved ten fold, beautiful

[@Ol_Dirty_Buzzard]

Archy ♥

[@josslawrence9852]

That version of big shot is just unbelievable. Whole things class but wow

[@cathyshuter417]

The sky is the limit with this band.

[@gordongillespie6637]

and the circuit breaker

[@therealdarkwhale7977]

Fontaines are so dynamic when they play sets like this, they just move around. There’s another one where it just stars with Grian and he wanders up some stairs jumps on the stage does his stuff and walks off again. Belter of a band and belter of a set list made even better after they blew the lights out 😂 thank you Fontaines from your no.1 super fan!

[@naomm8832]

the live choir, the acoustic version of big shot, couple across the way - the vocals ! and ending with nabokov - all hail to fontaines ! what an incredible set !

[@crazykidsforever]

This is amazing from and outstanding band that makes me proud to be Irish, the best thing in music for a long long time, here to stay for a long, quality........

[@CinhoKnows]

love the unexpected ending!!

[@fontainesdcfangroup]

hahaha, that was a great ending!

[@GT66666]

As a tiny desk' s huge fan, I feel that this is one of NPR's best.

[@melissahayes2611]

Incredible!! Can feel the power and atmosphere of the quieter songs and Grian's vocals are beautiful! Nabokov is explosive, and id argue my fav song of the album..brill!

[@davehurst2774]

The amount of emotion in this performance has me completely enthralled, to say the least!!!!! Utter poetic and gripping. Got so much time for these boys 🤌

[@schnumphstudios8334]

That Nabokov performance genuinely ascended me

[@robodonovan6330]

Goosebumps throughout this whole set, unreal ☘️

[@getwetsoon]

Word!!!

[@alliemarie8126]

The stark emotions always written on Grian’s face make him such a beautiful front man. Couple Across the Way is a heart-string tugger. ‘Deadly’

[@macska92]

Fantastic set, this made me appreciate the new record even more, I also love how they didn't play any of the singles (this version of Big Shot is absolutely beautiful)!

[@beatricegoncalves6093]

In ár gCroíthe go deo: Incroyable performance... une de mes préférées de l'album.. tellement bien construite, chaque voix, chaque instrument à sa place, au meilleur niveau... Meilleur groupe de ce siècle! Je vibrais plus comme ça depuis les Smiths ou Joy division...

[@frafrafrafrafra]

This version of Big Shot will always have a place in my heart

[@Pond-erer]

Holding the band in the heart of divine love and light. There is a beautiful message here. I love you DCF. I am with you. ❤❤ thanks to all of the musicians and beautiful people

[@cbjgrandview]

I'm sad I'll never get to hear this for the 1st time again.

[@PaulRandles-editspace201]

There are only few bands that really speak to the soul and these are one of them. Keep it coming lads, you truly are great

[@Prizzy999]

The intro of Nabokov is true doom metal with those guitar distortions. These guys are absolutely amazing!

[@cochayuyo1084]

It's more shoegaze than metal

[@cneufe]

opening this set with the couple across the way is so bold. love it

[@coribarcklay]

Just saw them live in Portland OR May 12th. Life changing experience as is this NPR set!! Can’t wait to see them live again!!

[@Kyle_etc]

Fontaines DC gets better with every new album. The Ireland/UK indie scene has had an amazing output in the last 4 years. BCNR, Black Midi, Squid, Fontaines DC, the list goes on and on

[@c.r.bouton1842]

Saw them live two weekends ago in Chicago and it was fantastic, a few hours after they filmed this, I love this band with my whole being

[@larry909]

I am so delighted that this band didn’t have an audience in the tiny desk. Great sound! A lovely gig.

[@alinaigolnicina835]

watching this is like therapy

[@willfilipski2470]

Going from the "wall of sound" to complete silence is such a jarring, perfect way to end the set. Might be my fave tiny desk yet.

[@ameliakotte4806]

The power outage couldn't have been more perfect.

[@rdbstrd1216]

filmed in Ukraine

[@JHated412]

Right?!? I need more though!

[@aidanlyons5708]

I just discovered this, Fontaines DC fan, so proud how they started, every song gets better every time you hear it. Little intricacies, I'm from Dublin so that makes feel so proud. Tom the drummer came one of the few only Gaelige speaking areas in Ireland & I love how they incorporate our Irishness in the music. Mostly there just a deadly band as Grian's tattoo says 🇮🇪🧡🤍💚🇮🇪🎵

[@iaindrennan3552]

Wow this is music start to finish…tears in my eyes happiness in my heart ..thanks Fontaine’s

[@markiep8477]

This was fantastic. Great take on the "home" concert idea to use the space. I have the other two albums, and this one looks to be their best.

[@erica2656]

This was absolutely a performance to remember. Perfect execution by everyone, especially all of the college kids. And after that amazing unbroken 18 minutes of perfection, the power goes out. It’s kismet.

[@adamb.4585]

Fantastic, rock needs some young bloods like these guys

[@DamienDalton]

Powerful performance, love Fontaines DC, Skinty Fia is brilliant album. Gas that the power went off in the end 😂. Greetings from Kerry, Ireland

[@gracie99999]

blame it on bill gates

[@AfterPartyAlex]

Man I am late to this party!! But I'm here now!!! Nabokov was my favorite.

[@cobrahead1]

I’m right there with you, just discovered them a few days ago and can’t seem to get enough. Waiting for this new album bc so far the 2 singles are dynamite 🧨

[@edfig]

Whoever put that green lamp on the keyboard is a genius.

[@mysticedge4]

Agreed

[@DooDooDaddyTV]

why

[@DubScrub]

Everything about this performance is superb - even the very special outro! 🙂

[@yannickadler9840]

Had to watch it twice to comprehend the beauty of the whole thing. What a band!!!

[@williamTA5]

It's nice to know that you're still caring well enough to raise your voice

[@aRevoulutionNeeded]

I love this band so much! well done boys you rocked the lights out!

[@vasilshkutov2890]

Honestly, the performance of The Couple Across the Way brings me to tears each time.

[@stephfoley7636]

Beautiful rendition of big shot. So raw!! Great live performance

[@mahoneydn]

Truly blowing the lid off this one in every aspect!

[@errolfellows409]

Well, that was COOOOL! Interesting presentation, grand performance!

[@katyar20]

In ár gCroíthe go deo is by far my favourite song from skinty fia, always gives me goosebumps! Can't wait to see these guys.

[@MrMertakhai]

That was wonderful, time to check out their whole discography

[@NYCelticSoul]

Music range and talent of Fontaines DC is first class. I have been a fan since seeing them live in 2019 and now travel to see them in many cities. They are that good.

[@brettgoff3548]

Saw them in Kansas City in 2019 open for Idles. Flew to Detroit in September of that year to see them again. I live in Las Vegas. They are that good.

[@WWarped1]

Such a great band. The energy is lyrics are wonderful.

[@erickelias6560]

Can’t describe the beauty of this performance, 1000/10 🤌🏻

[@waynedexter]

These guys are so electric they popped a circuit breaker ⚡️ ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@ht557]

These guys are amazing !!! The ending is perfect haha.

[@joelizquierdo8624]

This was awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Fontaines D.C. is one of my favorite rock bands in modern time.

[@DubScrub]

There are so many FDC live performances that should get a streaming/download release. This set for sure - and their cover of The Pogues' I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day springs to mind. Make it happen, lads!

[@LunarSpellbook]

I just heard that cover for the first time because of this comment, thank you very much!

[@DubScrub]

@@LunarSpellbook It’s great, isn’t it? And sounds like there’s a few decent vocalists in the band.

[@LunarSpellbook]

@@DubScrub makes me wonder if they stay away from songs like this, because they dont want to come off like they are unspired pouges clones... idk. Regardless, it was an amazing cover and id like to see mroe like it. They all sing the background vocals to the intro track on skinty fia, I didnt realize that until I saw them live.

[@CameraNostalgiaClub]

Love it! one of the most original bands I have heard in a while and the ending was pretty cool tbh 😂🎸

[@mavictoriagz]

Sooo good ✨ I'm happy to be contemporary to Fontaines D.C.

[@Ess_b]

I could cry that is how good they are. Incredible

[@williamfinch1548]

Possibly the best npr tiny desk I’ve seen

[@jobinmcgooch]

Seriously? These guys deserve an actual Tiny Desk Concert 🤘🏽

[@belandi800]

Amazing band amazing show super final surprise

[@stellaandlily4ever]

Just absolutely love this version of big shot 😍❤️

[@Raul-cu9vo]

This is a very beautiful and wonderful tiny desk.

[@poptemporanea]

Wow, Just wow. So beautiful. Love from Argentina.

[@raahrocha]

I needed that… i just needed that. Thank you

[@Craftine86]

Best thing to come from Dublin since Guinness...

[@aNgElandPaRaMoReRoX]

This tiny desk and the Turnstile one are the best ones I've seen!!! Happy I saw you lads in LA❤️

[@RussisSkuxx]

IDLES is up there too.

[@ymer199]

Long time waiting for this 🙌

[@user-yf9lh7xq7n]

Love them, so sad I couldn't make it to the Chicago show, they deserve all the praise!

[@steverobinson7040]

Spine tingling !!!

[@dumbldawg744]

mate i was stoked to see these guys on tiny!!!

[@karenalvarado4453]

I love them! They are so talented and unique!

[@esmebessor-foreman4043]

i've watched this upwards of 5 times so good!!!

[@jamieford3870]

The transition from Big shot to Nabokov is a thing of beauty.

[@robertjaen949]

wow, wow, wow. That was just beautiful. Thank You

[@harlo8581]

Tiny Desk best set so far.

[@chivasluis1]

Was hoping for this to happen soon… then randomly watching Fontaines music vids and I see this!! Can’t wait for their concert tomorrow!!

[@fedsmokersnotdead1847]

Beautiful music .

[@stevemcdonagh137]

That bass drop at 7.50 on the 2nd track gets me every time, genius.

[@luisdamas7746]

Just speechless....❤️❤️❤️

[@deborapedrosa5322]

tears in my eyes with this. i love this guys!

[@Pond-erer]

This is the essence of the present I love you DC F I seek the same So much love and light

[@caina_aveiga]

npr forgot to pay the energy bill?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH LOVE YA FONTAINES 😍😍😍