SXSW 2019: Steve Lamacq On Why He Loves Fontaines DC

The veteran Journalist and DJ, Steve Lamacq, was at South By Southwest to watch the best emerging live acts. Lamacq has always championed new talent and the latest artist he is pushing on his BBC 6Music show is the Irish group Fontaines DC.

After a dominant performance from the quintet for the DIY Magazine showcase, the legendary DJ graciously spared at few minutes to talk to Hot Press about why he’s enamoured with the Dublin-based band.

“I am always lyrically led,” explains Lamacq. “The really interesting thing about Fontaines DC is, in an era when rock and roll sometimes runs out of ideas, they win on two counts. One, the music has a visceral energy about it, but secondly, the lyrics, and the economy of the lyrics, and how they use two words where other bands would use nine. There is something very succinct and moving and picturesque about Fontaines DC, and that’s why I like them.”

Lamacq then dived deeper into why the group affects him.

“The lyrical content of the songs is really interesting, admits Lamacq. “In the same way Idles were interesting because they managed to vocalize an anger which I had in my head, there’s something that gets into your mind about Fontaines DC.
It’s like an ear worm that gets into your head and works its way around to your mind. It makes you question things you’re worrying or thinking about. They’re one of those bands that are provocative enough in their lyrics and not in an aggressive way. There are a band that gives you something to think about. That’s all I want from rock and roll, a band to excite you, but you go home thinking about this and that. A band to ask you questions.”

Lamacq then talked about FDC as a live force.

“As a live band they’re fantastic, gushes Lamacq. “The only thing is in my ideal fantasy world, half-way through the set, Grian would recite a poem of his choosing. That’s the only thing that’d make it better. Apart from that, it’s brilliant.”

Fontaines DC’s debut LP ‘Dogrel’ drops April 12.