Fontaines D.C. have unveiled a poignant new performance of their latest single, 'Marianne', captured during their final appearance at the legendary BBC Maida Vale studios. The band, who recently announced their upcoming album Dopamine Chamber, shared the footage alongside a heartfelt tribute to their late manager, Trevor Dietz, crediting him with salvaging the track from being left off the record.
The cinematic single, which was officially released on August 18, marks a significant moment for the Irish indie outfit. Produced by James Ford, Dopamine Chamber is scheduled for release on October 16 via XL Recordings. The project carries deep personal weight for the band, as it serves as their first full-length release following the passing of Dietz, whom the group described as the "sixth member of the band" and a foundational figure in their career.
A Song Saved by Vision
The band took to social media to explain the origins of 'Marianne', revealing that the song was nearly discarded during the album's development. Bassist Conor "Deego" Deegan III shared on Instagram that the track was among 40 songs written for the project but was initially left on the cutting room floor. It was only after playing the demo for Dietz at his home in Brighton that the band reconsidered its potential.
"'Marianne' is a song that never would have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for Trev," Deegan wrote. "We were at his in Brighton one evening showing him all the songs, and he said 'yere absolute lunatics' for wanting to leave this song off the album."
Deegan added that the album now feels more resonant than they ever anticipated, noting, "This album is dedicated to Trev, all he gave us, all he taught us. Love you forever."
Maida Vale Farewell
The performance of 'Marianne' was recorded on July 31 during the final BBC Maida Vale session before the historic venue's closure. While other tracks from the set, such as 'Roy’s Tune' and 'It’s Amazing To Be Young', were featured in the initial BBC 6 Music broadcast, the band chose to share the 'Marianne' footage today to celebrate the single's release.
Inspired by the 2024 thriller series Ripley, 'Marianne' explores themes of escapism and surrender. The track has already garnered critical acclaim, with NME praising its "surreal dream" quality and lush, cinematic arrangement. As Fontaines D.C. prepare for their upcoming headline shows at Reading & Leeds and a subsequent North American tour, the band continues to evolve, promising a darker and more synthetic sound on their highly anticipated new record.