Widely regarded as a pioneer of alternative metal, Deftones continues to captivate audiences more than 30 years after their debut. The proof arrived on August 22nd with the release of "Private Music". Their tenth studio album, this record demonstrates that the band still has plenty of energy, delivering tracks as powerful and compelling as "My Mind Is a Mountain" and "Milk of the Madonna".
To properly promote their latest album, Deftones had the clever idea to hit the European touring circuit, kicking things off in... Paris! It’s worth noting that their last show in the French capital was back in 2017, when the American band played at the Olympia. Nearly nine years later, they’re returning to Paris and have chosen to set up shop at the Adidas Arena. Unsurprisingly, tickets sold out quickly when they went on sale. On January 29, 2026, the venue in northern Paris is already at full capacity. Fans—many of them young—wander the halls on this Thursday evening around 7:45 p.m., while others patiently queue at merchandise stands, hoping to snag one of the band’s T-shirts priced at 45 euros.
After two opening acts, it is finally at 9:42 p.m. that Deftones takes the stage. The stage design is minimalist, featuring three floor mats, a few steps between the keyboards and the drums—later used by Chino—, a large screen at the back, and an array of lights placed on the floor, on the sides, and even hanging above. The crowd, already pumped up after Denzel Curry’s set, erupts with excitement as Chino Moreno makes his entrance. Audience members in the seats quickly stand up and remain on their feet throughout the night.
Deftones kick off the show with "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)." Right from the start, the singer executes quick jumps and energetic steps. Wearing sneakers, a shirt, and cropped pants that reveal his white sports socks, Chino Moreno doesn't hesitate to climb onto the monitors. Despite being 52 years old, Deftones' frontman is a true dynamo. Armed with a wired microphone, he moves back and forth across the stage with boundless energy. The band quickly follows up with "Locked Club," as serpents—featured on the cover of their latest album—come alive on the screen. It's clear the Californian band will be blending classic hits with new tracks throughout their set.
The track "ecdysis", along with the必 incontournable and electrifying "Diamond Eyes" and "Rocket Skates", echo through the Adidas Arena. Each time, Chino Moreno exudes an overflowing energy. The singer belts out cathartic screams while doubling over in intensity. The result? The Deftones frontman captures everyone's attention. It’s tough for guitarist Stephen Carpenter or drummer Abe Cunningham to compete with the charismatic Chino.
Next up is "Digital Bath", followed by the excellent single "my mind is a mountain" from the latest album, the captivating "Rosemary", and then "infinite source", all while meticulously crafted animated visuals continue to play on the giant screen. Chino Moreno takes a brief moment to catch his breath, changing out of his soaked shirt and opting for a simple white tee, before turning to address the audience and thank them for being there. "You good? Having a good evening?", he asks, eliciting euphoric cheers from the pit and the stands. The energy ramps up even more when the opening notes of "Change (In the House of Flies)" ring out. Armed with his guitar, Chino incites some wild pogo dancing among the crowd. Behind him, on the screen, a blazing orange sun gradually rises, reaching its peak just as the song concludes.
The concert continues with the same energy as "Genesis" and "Milk of the Madonna", showcasing the incredible variety of Deftones' catalogue.
After about 1 hour and 15 minutes, Deftones takes a bow and then brings the house down with a thunderous encore. Following "Cherry Waves", the crowd erupts with cheers as the opening riffs of the explosive "My Own Summer (Shove It)" ring out. Unsurprisingly, the fans go wild, their bodies moving uncontrollably to this 1997 classic. It’s a song that still hits hard and seems timeless, as if it hasn’t aged a day. The band then wraps up their set — which has now approached 1 hour and 30 minutes — with an even older track, "7 Words" (1995). This final blow demonstrates once again that Deftones remain a cornerstone of the alternative metal scene, more than three decades after their debut. The only disappointment from our side was the absence of any songs from the self-titled "Deftones" album played this Thursday night at the Adidas Arena. We had been hoping to hear tracks like "Minerva" or "Hexagram" in the mix.
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