Fontaines DC performed an early set on Sunday afternoon in Offaly and those at the event noted that they already stood out as ones to watch for the future.
The young band members mingled with the crowd afterwards and some locals even gave them a couple of cans of beer for their journey home.
“They’ve come a long way since those Stellas we gave them in 2018,” recalled one of the punters who witnessed that early Tullamore show.
Fontaines DC already had honed their style and were shaping their stage presence through live shows like the one in the grounds of Charleville Castle.
Renowned local photogapher Paul Moore captured the young band who were already garnering interest in their distinctive sound.
The band signed to Partisan Records in the same year as the Tullamore show and released their debut album Dogrel the following year.
The headline acts for 2018 were The Rubber Bandits, and All Tvvins who have also enjoyed some success, but not the meteoric rise that Fontaines DC has.
In previews of acts at the time, Fontaines DC didn’t merit a mention due to their low key profile at the time.
Castlepalooza Festival ran from 2005 to 2018 and was billed as a boutique music festival, which gave many unknown or up and coming bands an opportunity to play before a live music audience.
It originally took a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 and failed to return after that extended break.
1. Grian Chatten, lead singer of Fontaines DC on stage at Castlepalooza.
Grian Chatten, lead singer of Fontaines DC on stage at Castlepalooza. | Paul Moore Photo: Paul Moore
2. Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza.
Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza. | Paul Moore Photo: Paul Moore
3. Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza.
Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza. | Paul Moore Photo: Paul Moore
4. Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza.
Fontaines DC at Castlepalooza in Charleville estate in 2018. | Paul Moore Photo: Paul Moore