By Thea Marsh
With Netflix’s latest hit series, House of Guinness, one might wonder whether they may have brewed up the perfect mix. Featuring rising Irish band Fontaines D.C.’s music poured over four episodes, it’s hard to tell whether it’s an Irish drama featuring Fontaines, or a Fontaines feature that just happened to be set in Ireland. One thing is clear – Netflix seems to have found its new favourite band and is hooked on branding them as the sound of modern rebellion.
The band formed in 2014, when its members met at BIMM Dublin Music College and bonded over their love of poetry. This influence remains core to their sound. Throughout their music, their melodies are consistently praised for being poetic, as well as politically charged, combining themes of capitalism, romance and rebellion. All themes that coincidentally make great cinema. Lead singer Grian Chatten’s unmistakable Irish accent captivates listeners, giving their music a raw, authentic texture that is undoubtedly recognisable. Their rhythms are punchy and upbeat, some would argue messy, but this is exactly what makes them so magnetic. Lines like “rock star, porn star, superstar – doesn’t matter what you are” from “Boys in the Better Land” capture their spirit as inclusive, defiant and iconic, all capable of ensuing rhythmic headbanging. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that we haven’t seen such a recognisable Celtic culture in music since The Pogues, with both bands fusing Irish culture with modern punk rock.
In an interview with Vogue, Chatten explained that the band’s latest album was developed while they were touring with Arctic Monkeys.
The group describes it as their most layered sound yet, blending rough electronic tones with smoother synth elements. These contrasting styles come together in a surprisingly harmonious way, giving their songs an apprehensive but satisfying energy. It works entirely in the band’s favour, showcasing their skill in balancing chaos and control. This dynamic sound is the perfect fit for Netflix’s fast-paced, high-intensity scenes.
Netflix first introduced Fontaines in the second season of their hit teen series Outer Banks in 2021.
As the stakes rise for the rebellious teens chasing the lost treasure, the band’s track “Boys in the Better Land” makes a brief appearance. Taken from their debut album, the song plays faintly on the car radio amidst the group of teens planning their next move. It almost feels like a warm-up for Netflix as they slowly introduce the band’s talent for heightening on-screen tension, but they clearly had bigger plans for Dublin’s post-punk musicians.
In 2025 alone, Fontaines became a Netflix staple. Their single “Starburster”, from their fourth album Romance, appears across four of the streaming service’s reputable series, including psychological thriller You and crime-drama Black Rabbit.
It’s a major leap from their quiet cameo in Outer Banks back in 2021. The trippy melody of “Starburster” is something of a chameleon with its suspenseful intro, being both anxiety-inducing and intoxicating, making it perfect for dramatic storytelling. It’s been used for everything from chaotic crash-outs on Outer Banks to grand entrances in House of Guinness and adrenaline-fueled escapes in Black Rabbit.
Netflix’s fascination with the band has now spread to multiple platforms. On TikTok, the trend #bruvdate recently went viral with creators clinking pints of Guinness to the lyrics “look who’s just the newest clown” from Fontaines’ “Favourite”. The trend highlights the new dating standard: low-key, hassle-free, featuring a couple of beers and a card game or two – a lifestyle the band might approve of. As fiery-haired guitarist Carlos O’Connell told Glamcult, “I want to live in the world we are creating, not just when I put my headphones on”. TikTok users seem to agree, as they turn “Favourite” into the new anthem for the modern and understated “bruv” romance.
O’Connell’s message clearly struck a chord at Netflix, which has taken their fascination to new heights with Too Much, a coming-of-age comedy about an American girl who moves to London and falls for a musician. In a clever twist, O’Connell himself makes a cameo as Eoin, the bassist in the series’ fictional band, a move that feels both self-aware and distinctly on brand. Whether this is Netflix subtly winking at its audience or simply nurturing a current trending favourite band is anyone’s guess. What’s certain is that this isn’t the first, second, or even third time the streaming service has cast Fontaines as the face of chaotic youth as a symbol of audacious spirit and creative rebellion. As Netflix continues to lace its stories with these knowing references, Fontaines’ image as the face of modern rebellion only grows stronger.
