Deftones Launch Private Music Tour with Electrifying Birmingham Arena Show

Deftones Ignite Birmingham Arena with Tour Opener

Deftones launched their UK tour this week with a headline performance at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE arena, showcasing their enduring appeal across generations. The Sacramento-based band, touring behind their 10th album Private Music, delivered a set blending crushing riffs, soaring vocals, and atmospheric soundscapes.

Cross-Generational Appeal and Musical Evolution

With a career spanning three decades, Deftones have experienced multiple commercial peaks, from the breakthrough success of early albums to the critical acclaim of White Pony in 2000. Recent years have seen a resurgence, fueled by new Gen-Z fans on social media and a shoegaze revival highlighting their influence. The Birmingham audience reflected this broad appeal, featuring fans of all ages, including parents with children.

Support acts added to the diverse lineup, with Florida rapper Denzel Curry offering alternative-edged rap and New York post-hardcore band Drug Church energizing the crowd with hook-laden hardcore and crowd-surfing encouragement.

Dynamic Performance and Visual Spectacle

Deftones' 20-song set leaned heavily on Private Music, interspersed with classics. They opened with Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), exploding into life as frontman Chino Moreno leaped across the stage. The show seamlessly shifted between intense alt-metal tracks like Rocket Skates and slower, atmospheric pieces such as Digital Bath, demonstrating their mastery of loud-quiet dynamics.

On stage, the core members—Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, and keyboardist Frank Delgado—were joined by bassist Fred Sabian and additional guitarists Shaun Lopez and Lance Jackman. The visual production featured a large LED screen displaying album artwork, waves, religious imagery, and urban scenes, complemented by LED towers creating a futuristic ambiance. Moreno remained the focal point, often silhouetted and pacing, while bandmates lurked in shadows.

Highlights and Fan Interaction

Key moments included Change (In the House of Flies), with a rising sun backdrop, and an encore of My Own Summer (Shove It) and 7 Words, prompting mosh pits among fans in 'Brat Green' beanies. Moreno engaged with the crowd during pauses for medical assistance, revealing Birmingham served as their rehearsal base and expressing affection for the city.

The secret to Deftones' success, as noted by Drug Church's Patrick Kindlon, lies in their wide appeal across alternative, rock, and metal communities. This, combined with new audience discovery and stellar performances, positions them for continued arena tours and potential festival headline slots.