Fontaines D.C. have paid loving tribute after the tragic death of their manager and “the sixth member of the band” Trevor Dietz, age 54.
News of the celebrated manager and promoter’s passing was shared by the band themselves on social media today (Tuesday June 9), who said that he “cared passionately for us and for what was fair and right in the wider world”.
“We are utterly heartbroken to let you know that on Sunday June 7, we lost our dear friend and manager Trevor,” the band wrote. “Trevor was beside us from the beginning of our journey as a band, we have never known Fontaines D.C. without 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.
“We ask that you kindly respect our privacy and that of his family at this terribly difficult time. RIP Trev.”
Friends and collaborators shared their wishes in the comments, with Kneecap‘s Moglai Bap writing “uaimhneas síoraí Trev” (“rest in peace, Trev”) and DJ Annie Mac adding: “Sending all my love to you lads and to Trevor’s loved ones”.
Baxter Dury wrote “heartbreaking , all my love to all of you,” while Irish artist, producer and DJ Krystal Klear added: “One of the all time greats. The reasons hundreds of us in Dublin had a place to listen to the music that carved our entire future. I still can’t believe it. RIP Trev Radiator.”
Love Music Hate Racism added: “There are people on here who knew him much better than we did, but Trevor was a good friend of Love Music Hate Racism and always very willing to help out in anyway he could with what we do. He talked things through with us many times and recognised the role music and bands can play in bringing people together against the evils in our society.”
In NME‘s encounters with Dietz, we met a passionate and dedicated music-lover, professional and gentleman.
He signed Fontaines D.C. in 2016 ahead of their breakthrough debut album ‘Dogrel’. Aside from his work with Fontaines, seeing them through from grassroots venues and students at BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) to festival headliners, NME Award winners, Mercury nominees and one of the most popular and influential bands on the planet, Dietz was also a key figure in the live music and nightlife scene in Dublin through his work at The Workman’s Club, providing a showcase for countless new acts.
Dietz began working with Workman’s in 2010. While the members of Fontaines D.C. were still students, he booked them to play on multiple occasions before becoming their manager.
As as being an avid football fan, he was also a vocal supporter of Palestine.
Fontaines D.C. at the NME Awards 2022. Credit: Zoe McConnell for NME
As Hot Press reports, Dietz Trevor discussed the rise of Fontaines in a 2019 talk as part of Hot Press MIX (Music Industry Xplained) Course Wrap Night.
“I spotted them and put them on three or four times at the Workman’s and then we decided to take the relationship from promoter to manager,” said Dietz. “I’d been putting on bands for 20 years, and had my plan of attack ready for when one jumped out at me.
“I’d watched and studied the managers who came into the venue; people like Frank Murray, God rest his soul, who looked after The Pogues. He called me just before he passed away – Frank was looking after the Mighty Stef at the time – and said, ‘Have you found a band yet? No? Well, just go out and find them!’ Lo and behold, these guys came along pretty soon after.”
Fontaines D.C. live at Reading 2024. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Dietz continued: “At the start, when we decided to work together, it was really just one question. I went for a coffee with the boys in William Street and asked if they’d set their goals and their endgame. I wouldn’t have worked with the band if they hadn’t had huge expectations and huge dreams. If other people had heard the conversation that day they would have gone, ‘Jesus, these guys are nuts, it’s not going to happen’, but I knew we could go well beyond Ireland with this.
“So, first and foremost, you need a band that shares your vision and who are reliable, accountable and honest.”
Writing on social media around the time of their Mercury nomination for ‘Romance’, he said: “Even after 10 years of working with Fontaines DC across five album releases and hundreds of gigs, their songwriting genius, incredible live performances and sheer strength to take on and absolutely smash every single night of such extensive tours, never ceases to blow my mind. Best band in the world.”
He added: “Against a backdrop of a world sickened by Israeli barbarism and heartbroken by Palestinian suffering, Fontaines D.C. used their platform to rally support for the people of Palestine. Across the world, at every one of their 162 live performances, their message was heard loud and clear while through projects such as the Carlos designed Bohemian’s jersey and the ‘Ceasefire EP‘, over half a million Euro has been raised for the incredible work being carried out by Medical Aid For Palestine (MAP) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) throughout history’s most documented genocide, hopefully influencing other artists to utilise their platform in a similar way.”
No cause of death for Dietz has yet been shared.
Fontaines D.C. are set to return to the stage in August 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.