Fontaines D.C. have played their first show since the unexpected passing of manager Trevor Dietz, as part of the final ever BBC live session at Maida Vale.
The session was held last Friday (July 31) at the iconic London Studios, and marked the final BBC Live Session to be held at the space.
For decades now, live sessions have been recorded and broadcast across BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 Music. Notable guests have included legendary artists like David Bowie, Nirvana and Oasis, as well as rising talent including Mary In The Junkyard, Keo, Sienna Spiro, New Dad and Nemzzz.
The chapter is coming to an end now as the BBC finalises its plans to relocate to east London, where it will be holding sessions at a new high-tech studio at Olympic Park – a plan that has been in place since 2018.
For the final session at Maida Vale, Fontaines D.C. played their first set since the death of manager and friend Trevor Dietz. The band shared news of his passing in June, writing that he “was beside us from the beginning of our journey as a band” and called him “the sixth member of the band”.
“He cared passionately for us and for what was fair and right in the wider world. He was fearless in his beliefs. We will miss him always,” they added, with further tributes coming from Kneecap, Annie Mac, Baxter Dury and more.
For their emotive session at Maida Vale, the band didn’t play any new material, but instead broke out the huge hit ‘Favourite’, as well as ‘It’s Amazing to Be Young’, ‘Big Shot’ and ‘Bug’. They also played early track ‘Roy’s Tune’, which they haven’t included in a setlist since 2024 – all five songs on the setlist were more tender tracks, in light of Dietz’ passing.
In Steve Lamacq’s Radio 6 broadcast, he shared what it was like to say farewell to the Maida Vale sessions before introducing the Fontaine’s set.
“I didn’t think I’d feel as emotional about this as I do. It’s just a building but it is a legendary building,” he said. “This street hasn’t changed at all since 1994, when I first came here… I was thinking about all the hundreds and hundreds of sessions that have been recorded on the other side of these doors.
“All the sessions I first heard myself of late-night Radio 1 from ’93 onwards, all the evening sessions. They have often led to bands doing bigger and better things, which is why I thought I’d come here one last time and say goodbye to Maida Vale, because it has been such a big part of my life.”
He also talked about the images in the studio, showing the space in the ‘50s, and how he “still gets a tingle of excitement when I go through these doors” because it feels like “history wherever you look”.
Introducing the Fontaine’s D.C. set, Lamacq said that the Irish icons had “recorded some songs for us, including some of their most tender work”. He also added that it was almost like a “final goodbye to a landmark of the British music scene”.
Tune in to the full episode here.
When it was confirmed that Fontaines would be playing the final ever Maida Vale BBC session, the broadcaster shared: “From pioneering radio broadcasts in the 1930s to iconic music sessions – for nearly a century, the Maida Vale studios have been a cornerstone of British broadcasting history.
“This former ice rink in West London has been a hub for the BBC’s musical output for nearly a century, and was a permanent home for the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The site has also been the home for BBC news output during World War 2, pioneered stereophonic broadcasting, made experimental audio through its Radiophonic Workshop and hosted hundreds of iconic music sessions…..the last of which will be this career spanning session from Fontaines D.C.”
Pixies‘ Black Francis also shared his sadness at the chapter coming to an end, writing: “All good things come to an end… I almost was choked up when we did something there recently. Love that place”.
The news that Maida Vale Studios had been sold by the BBC was revealed in 2023, in a partnership between Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and Hans Zimmer and Steven Kofsky. News of the sale first emerged in the summer of that year, with reports suggesting that Zimmer bought the BBC‘s iconic studio for £10.5million.
As per a press release, purchasers have agreed that “Maida Vale’s legacy as a centre for pioneering music-making will continue”, and plan to keep the original exterior of the building to “preserve the ethos of Maida Vale”.
The building will remain a studio space, but there are plans for a multi-million pound refurbishment including the creation of a not-for-profit educational facility along with a “long-term commitment to providing local jobs, innovation and investment”.
For Fontaines, the session comes ahead of their return to the stage this month for a run of European dates as part of the follow-up to the ‘Romance’ era, before massive shows including headlining Reading & Leeds 2026.
They’ve also been working on new material, having recently contributed music to the Peaky Blinders Immortal Man soundtrack and the War Child ‘Help(2)’ album.
