The Irish band Fontaines D.C. play the BBC's last live session at Maida Vale

Fontaines D.C. played the final BBC live session recorded at Maida Vale Studios, NME reported on August 4, in the Irish band's first performance since the unexpected death of their manager, Trevor Dietz. The session was taped on July 31 and broadcast on BBC 6 Music two days later.

For the tender set, the band skipped new material and instead played older songs including "Favourite," "It's Amazing to Be Young," "Big Shot" and "Bug," along with the early track "Roy's Tune," which they had not played live since 2024. Fontaines D.C. announced Dietz's death in June, writing that he "was beside us from the beginning of our journey as a band" and calling 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," the band wrote. "We will miss him always." Further tributes came from Kneecap, Annie Mac and Baxter Dury.

BBC 6 Music host Steve Lamacq introduced the set by marking the end of an era for Maida Vale, a former ice rink that has hosted BBC sessions since the 1930s and once housed the BBC Symphony Orchestra. "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, recalling that the street had been unchanged since 1994, when he first visited. The space had hosted sessions from David Bowie, Nirvana and Oasis over the decades, alongside rising acts including Mary In The Junkyard and Nemzzz.

The BBC sold Maida Vale to Hans Zimmer and Steven Kofsky in a deal reported in 2023 at around 10.5 million pounds, and is relocating its session recordings to a new studio at Olympic Park in east London. The purchasers said in a statement that "Maida Vale's legacy as a centre for pioneering music-making will continue," with plans to keep the building's original exterior and add a not-for-profit educational facility as part of a multi-million pound refurbishment. Pixies' Black Francis also marked the closure, writing online that he "almost was choked up" the last time he played there.

The band's live year has continued since: Fontaines D.C. later brought out Kurt Vile as a guest during a set at La Route du Rock, ahead of shows including a headline slot at Reading & Leeds 2026. The band has also recently contributed music to the Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man soundtrack and the War Child Help(2) charity album. It's filed under our rock coverage.