Photos + Review: Deftones, Gojira @ Budweiser Stage

By: Curtis Sindrey –
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TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

Acclaimed alt-metal band Deftones brought their 2022 tour to Toronto’s Budweiser Stage last night (May 22nd) for what was a hard-hitting, intense, yet beautiful performance.

The band, consisting of frontman Chino Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter (who was replaced by Lance Jackman on this night), drummer Abe Cunningham, turntablist/keyboardist Frank Delgado, and touring bassist Fred Sablan, are the masters of the hard/soft dynamic where they can lull you into a mesmerizingly beautiful melody or lyric before they launch into an all-out sonic attack. And last night was no different as they crafted a set-list that spanned their 30-year career with several highlights including fan favourites “My Own Summer (Shove It)”, and “Change (In the House of Flies)”, along with some of their heaviest songs in their catalog including “Bloody Cape”, which serves as a fantastic example of their hard/soft dynamic with dreamy-sounding verses, and a hard and heavy chorus that hits you like a ton of bricks.

The stage design was really cool for this show as well with a spaceship-like lighting rig that gave the entire production a spacey vibe. The visuals used throughout the show gave off strong Suspiria vibes with an overall ’70s/’80s supernatural/horror look, which only added to the allure of the Sacramento-based group.

Moreno was the star of the show from song one until the blistering encore with “7 Words”, and “Lotion”, often running across the stage, and jumping on monitors to get the crowd hyped. During the show, he asked for a beer and was given a Molson-branded drink. He humorously quipped, “the sponsors aren’t gonna be happy with that.”

Show openers Gojira grabbed a hold of the near capacity crowd and never let go during their 12-song set. Their unique blend of death metal, prog metal, and groove metal made the crowd come alive, and even produced a circle pit early on. On Gojira, Moreno said during Deftones’ set, “they blow my mind every fucking night.” No argument here.

Deftones are at the peak of their creative powers right now with a critically acclaimed new album in the form of 2020’s Ohms, and a devastatingly good live show, this tour is not to be missed.

Deftones Set-List
Genesis
Rocket Skates
Prayers/Triangles
Royal
Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
My Own Summer (Shove It)
Tempest
Swerve City
Digital Bath
Knife Party
You’ve Seen the Butcher
Sextape
Diamond Eyes
Rosemary
Bloody Cape
Change (In the House of Flies)
Ohms

Encore:
Lotion
7 Words

Gojira Set-List
Born for One Thing
Backbone
Stranded
Flying Whales
The Cell
Love / Remembrance
Hold On
Grind
Silvera
L’enfant sauvage
Amazonia
The Gift of Guilt

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON. – May 22 – Deftones performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario on May 22, 2022. (Photo: Curtis Sindrey for Aesthetic Magazine)