Fontaines D.C. Taps Barry Keoghan for “Bug” Music Video; Andrea Arnold Joins the Ensemble
Fontaines D.C. continues to make waves with their captivating music and striking visuals. The Irish indie rock band just unveiled a new music video for their single “Bug,” featuring none other than acclaimed actor Barry Keoghan. Directed by the celebrated filmmaker Andrea Arnold, the clip offers a compelling glimpse into Arnold’s upcoming film, Bird, further entwining music and cinema.
This marks Keoghan’s second foray into the music video scene, following his debut earlier this year in Sabrina Carpenter’s viral hit “Please Please Please.” “Bug” is the fifth single released from Fontaines D.C.’s acclaimed fourth studio album, Romance, which debuted in August to widespread critical acclaim.
Arnold’s latest film, Bird, features Keoghan alongside Franz Rogowski and Carlos O’Connell, the lead singer of Fontaines D.C. The music video for “Bug” is described as a “short form reimagining” of Bird, interweaving captivating film sequences with the song’s powerful energy.
Speaking about the collaboration, Carlos O’Connell shared in a statement:
“Andrea Arnold was kind enough to cut up a sequence to our tune ‘Bug’ featuring Barry Keoghan playing the character Bug in her new movie Bird. In my eyes, the character Bug, the tattoo ‘Bug’s Life,’ Andrea’s essential and romantic worlds, and the line ‘Changed my name to “Promise you, Yea”,’ when put all together make convincing needless and conviction undeniable. Big thanks to Andrea Arnold for letting us in so close to her visionary universe. She’ll be remembered how we remember Bacon or Goya.”
Arnold herself expressed her strong admiration for Fontaines D.C.’s music in a statement, explaining her choice to incorporate their songs into Bird:
“I’ve loved the Fontaines since I first heard them. Some music just sits in your bones like it always belonged, like you know it already, like it’s part of you. It’s why I asked to use ‘Too Real’ and ‘A Hero’s Death’ for my Bird film. Their music felt like it belonged there, in my world.”
Bird marks Arnold’s fifth feature-length film and is set to premiere on November 8th. The film boasts a stellar cast, including Nykiya Adams and newcomer Jason Buda. The soundtrack will feature a curated soundtrack alongside Fontaines D.C., with tracks from Coldplay, Blur, and The Verve, creating a captivating audio-visual experience.
Fontaines D.C. is currently touring Europe in support of Romance, which achieved their fourth consecutive top 10 studio album on the UK Official Albums Chart and charted at No. 97 on the Billboard 200, their highest entry to date. In early 2025, the band will embark on a worldwide tour, taking their electrifying performances to Japan, Australia, South America, and North America.
Franz Chatten, the band’s frontman, spoke earlier this year to Billboard about the creative evolution on Romance, incorporating elements of nu-metal, pop and string-laden ballads:
“We wanted to really indulge in something new, and we didn’t want to risk it being only a half-step. We always think that we’re pushing the boat out, or taking some new turn, with each record. And I think probably the reality is that it was a lot less of a turn than we thought. But this time, I feel good about it being a full f–kin’ turn.”
Don’t miss the music video for “Bug” below: