Fontaines D.C play final BBC show since Dietz’ death at Maida Vale

When a chapter closes, sometimes it’s best marked by a powerful final note. For the band Fontaines D.C., that moment arrived during their final ever BBC live session at the iconic Maida Vale Studios—a performance steeped in emotion and history.

The set was particularly poignant as it marked their first performance since the unexpected passing of manager, friend, and influential Irish music champion, Trevor Dietz. In June, the band shared news of his death, calling him the “sixth member of the band” and emphasizing how passionately he cared for them and the wider world.

Recorded at the historic London Studios on July 31, the session was broadcast on BBC 6 Music the following day. It stood as a spectacular culmination of a long tradition that spans nearly a century of British broadcasting.

Live sessions have long served as a crucible for music, offering audiences access to legendary acts like David Bowie, Nirvana, and Oasis, alongside emerging talents such as Mary In The Junkyard, Keo, Sienna Spiro, New Dad, and Nemzzz. These sessions cemented the unique bond between radio and the music scene.

As plans move forward, the BBC is transitioning to a new high-tech studio at Olympic Park in east London. While this change marks the end of an era for Maida Vale, it ensures that the legacy of these historic broadcasts will continue wherever they go.

For Fontaines D.C., the performance at Maida Vale was more than just a concert; it was a reflective moment. Rather than diving into new material, the band chose to deliver deeply tender tracks, including ‘Favourite‘, ‘It’s Amazing to Be Young‘, ‘Big Shot‘, and ‘Bug‘, alongside the early track ‘Roy’s Tune‘. These selections offered an emotive farewell in light of recent personal loss.

The studio itself is a monument to musical history. It has been a hub for BBC output since the 1930s, hosting everything from iconic music sessions and the BBC Symphony Orchestra to pioneering audio experiments during World War II. The building’s legacy as a centre for music-making remains undeniable.

The closure of this chapter brings with it shared sadness among the wider music community, with artists like Kneecap, Annie Mac, and Baxter Dury offering their tributes. It is a testament to how these spaces capture not just sound, but the very history of British culture.

While Maida Vale has been sold in 2023 by investors including Hans Zimmer and Steven Kofsky, purchasers have agreed that the building’s legacy as a centre for pioneering music-making will continue. It is set to undergo a multi-million pound refurbishment, ensuring its role as an educational facility and place of innovation remains at the heart of British arts.

Fontaines D.C. now look forward, preparing for a run of European dates and major upcoming shows, including headlining Reading & Leeds 2026. Their story, like those recorded within these historic walls, continues to inspire.