Fontaines D.C. Close Maida Vale With “Marianne” and “It’s Amazing to Be Young”
Come Thru Vocals: Fontaines D.C. are in full-blown promo mode, but this particular live session carries a little more weight than your standard stop on the circuit.
The Dublin band stepped into London’s legendary Maida Vale Studios to record what became the BBC’s final-ever live session from the building. Recorded on July 31 and first broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music on August 3, the set gave the historic studios one last proper blast of guitars before the broadcaster’s move to new facilities in Stratford.
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Maida Vale’s history stretches back well before rock ’n’ roll. The building originally opened as a roller-skating venue in 1909, was purchased by the BBC in 1933 and began housing BBC Symphony Orchestra activity the following year. Across the decades, its studios became synonymous with landmark BBC sessions from artists including Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana.
Fontaines D.C. were a fitting choice for the send-off. Their Maida Vale set reached across the catalog, including “Favourite,” “Big Shot,” “Roy’s Tune” and “Bug,” while also making space for the 2025 single “It’s Amazing to Be Young.” The track was recorded during the broader Romance period and later appeared on the deluxe edition of the band’s 2024 album.
But the session suddenly feels even more timely now. On August 18, Fontaines D.C. officially released “Marianne” and announced their fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, due October 16 via XL Recordings. So, nope — “Marianne” is not a Romance cut. It is the first proper doorway into whatever the band has cooked up next.
There is a poignant story behind the song too. Bassist Conor Deegan revealed that “Marianne” nearly stayed on the cutting-room floor until the band played it for their late manager Trevor Dietz. Dietz pushed back hard on the idea of leaving it behind, helping turn the once-shelved track into the lead single for the new album.
That makes the Maida Vale performance feel like a bridge in more ways than one: an iconic BBC studio closing its doors on one chapter while Fontaines D.C. quietly open another.
Inside Fontaines D.C.’s Final Maida Vale Session
Take in more scenes from the historic BBC Radio 6 Music performance before watching two standouts from the session below.
Fontaines D.C. Perform “It’s Amazing to Be Young”
The band revisit the euphoric 2025 single during the historic final BBC session at Maida Vale.
Fontaines D.C. Perform New Single “Marianne”
Now hear the first taste of Dopamine Chamber take shape inside the very same room.
Sources: BBC Music / BBC Radio 6 Music for “It’s Amazing to Be Young”; BBC Music / BBC Radio 6 Music for “Marianne”; Official Charts for the August 18 “Marianne” release, Dopamine Chamber announcement and Romance deluxe context; Far Out for the July 31 recording, August 3 broadcast and Maida Vale history; Far Out for Trevor Dietz’s role in keeping “Marianne” in the band’s plans.
