The recent resurgence of 00’s culture is a phenomenon worthy of study. For those of us that wore our jeans low and let our wallet cahins hang even lower, the return of Ed Hardy denim and Juicy Couture has many of us whistfully shaking our heads at the youth of today. Especially as it means Von Dutch trucker hats are surely not far behind.
What has been much easier to comprehend however, is the appeal of the music. Which, through the power of Tiktoks army of goth baddies has brought a whole new generations attention to one of the few bands from that era that never lost their relevance, the Deftones. Who have been making some seriously big steps up over the last few years. Including their last outing to the UK. When they sold out Londons Crystal Palace Park, moving 25,000 tickets in literally record time. All of which made the announcement of an arena tour in support of the bands latest album, Private Music, all the more enticing. Especially with Drug Church and Denzel Curry rounding out the bill.
When we arrive at Birminghams BP Pulse Arena, ready to check out their inaugural UK date. The first thing the strikes, apart from the sheer size of the crowd. Is the age range, which covers every part of the spectrum, from middle aged nu-metal veterans with White Pony tattoos, to tweens being being taken to their first concert. Thankfully, we don’t have too long to muse over which demographic we fit into at our age, because Drug Church (8) are just about to hit the stage!
Despite having been around for little over a decade and having five albums under their belt. We’d never had the chance to see Drug Church before and little did we know what an unexpected treat we were in for. Known for their unique blend of punk rock and alt rock riffage. The five peice from Albany New York have a very simple mission statement. Which is, to quote frontman Patrick Kindlon- To get everybody moving, moshing and as many crowd surfers over the barricade as possible.
While the stomping opening riff of Drug Church’s opening track, Fun’s Over gets the first few rows bouncing and attracts some impressed nods from the sidelines. It’s their follow up track, Demolition Man that really strikes a chord with crowd. Thanks in no small part to Klindons charisma and the way he engages with them. Ushering them through the experience of crowd surfing by delivering a brief educational PSA on the subject. Giving off a Henry Rollins-esque, rock and roll dad vibe that’s as wholesome as it is persuasive. Meaning that soon, bodies are flying towards the waiting arms of venue security with reckless abandon.
The six string duo of Nick Cogan and Cory Galusha works exceptionally well too. With Galusha’s chunky power chords providing the ideal backdrop for Cogans alt rock inspired spaced out wizardry. Particularly on tracks like Slide 2 Me and Myopic.
They may have been a bit of an unknown quantity at the start of the night. By the end of their set however, Drug Church have completely won us over. Ticking all the boxes for a great opening act. As well as endearing themselves to the capacity crowd. Who go suitably mad one last time for Drug Church’s final track of the night, Weed Pin.
Speaking of going mad. This evenings second support act, Denzel Curry (9) does nothing short of put on a masterclass on how to drive an audience absolutely insane. On paper, you’d think a solo artist would lack the stage presence of a full five piece band. Nothing could be further from the truth though.
As soon as the intro fades and Curry starts dropping the opening bars of RICKY, the electricity that surges through the entire arena is undeniable. As is Denzels lightning fast, razor sharp delivery on the mic as he bounces back and forth across the stage. Filling the cavernous space in maniacally energetic style.
Denzel isn’t on his own up there either. His back-up on the decks, DJ Poshtronaut, adds some important elements to the show too. Giving the Miami born rapper someone to bounce off. While also adding twists here and there to keep the audience on their toes throughout the set. Ranging all the way from the obvious mash-up of Disturbed into the intro to HIT THE FLOOR. Which plays to tonights crowd perfectly. To throwing more subtle adlibs down on the familiar beats to tracks like Walkin and Threatz. Giving Currys whole set a mixtape like feel.
When we mentioned Curry knows how to drive a crowd completely bonkers earlier, we really meant it too. Despite being the more left field of the two support acts on tonights bill. He hypes up everyone in the building to the point where if you didn’t know better. You’d assume he was topping it as he smashes through sixteen tracks in just over thirty minutes. Feeding off the energy in the room and turning the mosh pit into all out war.
Top it all off with a raucous cover of Rage Against the Machine’s protest anthem, Bulls on Parade and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect storm. Unlocking what’s sure to be a core memory for many in attendance as Curry drops the mic following a rendition that’s so raucous, even Zack De La Rocha would have to sit up and pay attention.
On to tonight’s main event, the Deftones (10) and we have to be honest, having missed their allegedly magnificent outing at Crystal Palace Park last summer. Our most recent memory of Chino & Co is a by the numbers mid-afternoon set at Download Festival all the way back in 2023.
As the familiar intro to Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) kicks in however, all nostalgia aside, it’s as though we’re watching a completely different band. Far from the disjointed, meandering performance we witnessed a few years ago. They’re totally on point. Sounding immense as they transition into locked club, the first of many tracks from Private Music to find its way into tonight’s set.
Founding member and axeman extraordinaire, Stephen Carpenter is unfortunately still absent from the line-up. Opting not to tour outside the US. We have to give credit where it’s due to Lance Jackman though. Who fills Carpenters shoes with aplomb alongside partner in crime Shaun Lopez, who helps share the majority of the heavy lifting on guitar. Adding an extra layer of thickness to the wall of sound.
It’s also extremely impressive just how well material from Private Music blends into Deftones setlist as the night goes on. Hidden deftly among fans favourites like Rocket Skates and Digital Bath. Tracks like ecdysis and my mind is a mountain slip so seamlessly into the mix we can see some of them becoming staple additions long after this tour has come to an end.
Even Chino’s screaming ability, which has come under fire in recent years is on top form. Bolstered by some potent backing vocals from Lance Jackman and a crowd that seems to know every word like they wrote it themselves.
Keeping the banter to a minimum, the band plough seemingly ever onwards. With the only break in momentum coming through no fault of their own. When Chino has to put a stop to proceedings during cut hands so that security can make their way to an injured fan in the pit. Which has been churning ferociously all night. To the point that we’re legitimately surprised this is the first stoppage of the evening.
After being given the green light to continue. The final third of Deftones set is near perfect. Sextape and Hole in the Earth both hit with the force of a heavyweight champion in his prime. Followed by Change (In the House of Flies) which gets even the most stubborn seated ticket holders up on their feet. Their camera phones pointed squarely at the stage to capture the magic.
All good things must come to an end though and what an end it is. With a triple encore of Cherry Waves, My Own Summer (Shove it) and 7 words landing the final knockout blow. Putting a suitably epic full stop at the end of a landmark performance. Proving that the Deftones aren’t here thanks to some viral fluke or Tiktok algorithm. They’ve earned their place in arenas and stadiums thanks to performances like this and a back catalogue filled with more hits than a contract killers resume.
We don’t know if this new found status means nu-metal is creeping one step closer to being classic rock. Frankly though, we don’t care. At the start of the evening we felt old beyond our years but tonights show has made us feel young again!
Deftones – Facebook/Instagram
Denzel Curry – Facebook/Instagram
Drug Church – Facebook/Instagram
