Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
What a brisk yet beautiful afternoon to travel to Dublin for the first of two headlining gigs for the Deftones in 2026. It does the heart good seeing bright blue skies whilst listening to the headliners as we make our way down the road.
Tonight’s show will convene in the 3Arena and the second will occur in the Irish Museum of Modern Art also in Dublin’s Fair City on 25th August. Deftones from Sacramento, California formed in 1988 by original members Chine Moreno (vocals, guitar), Stephen Carpenter (lead guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums) and the much loved and missed poet Chi Cheng (bass) who unfortunately is no longer with us. Chi’s passing was a gut wrenching loss to the lads and the fans. In addition to the original members, Frank Delgado (turntables) joined the group in 1999. Carpenter still records music with the band but for reasons explained in the Zane Lowe interview with the band in 2025, he has made the decision not to tour internationally, which may be disappointing for the fans but is to be respected all the same.
The band announced in 2022 that Fred Sablan would be the touring bassist. Sablan also co-wrote and played bass on Private Music. Touring musicians Lance Jackman (lead guitar) and Shaun Lopez (rhythm guitar) who also plays in the side project Crosses with Moreno, will be supporting the lads on stage tonight. Deftones have provided over 30 years of unswerving metal/rock experience which not only has accrued diehard fans but now also a resurgence with a new generation of younger fans who have encountered the bands music through their parents and through social media such as TikTok. How times have changed but change can be a very positive thing. The lads released their first album Adrenaline in 1995 and have gone on to release nine further albums with their latest, Private Music, arriving with a bang in 2025. Deftones are a band whom the press and fans alike have tried to pigeon hole into a category over the years however, they are a hard band to define which is evidenced in the support which they have brought to the 3arena tonight. What is obvious from arrival at the 3arena is the wide range of different ages, genders, backgrounds with such a varied group enthusiastically queuing up, it’s impossible not to get carried away in the buzz, which is attending my first ever Deftones gig. Tonight will be very special.
Drug Church
Originating from Albany, New Yorkin 2011 Drug Church have released several EP’s and five albums. This punky outfit consist of five members Patrick Kindlon (vocals), Nick Cogan (guitar), Cory Galusha (guitar), Chris Villeneuve (drums) and Pat Wynne (bass). Drug Church played in Whelan’s in Dublin and the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast in 2025 so they are no strangers to this shore. They are playing in a much bigger venue tonight and it’s a tall order opening for a band possessing as big a magnitude as Deftones. Full disclosure, I’ve never heard these lads before so I’m eager to witness them play for the first time. Kindlon welcomes Dublin saying, ‘Promise me one thing, we’ll have a great time together we are fucking Drug Church’. The lads launch into ‘Fun’s Over’ immediately letting the 3Arena know what they are in for.
These lads are chaos personified and by God does the Dublin crowd love them. The Sold Out venue was already packed with the floor covered in a sea of eager and crazed fans. The audience are jumping and chanting and Kindlon knows how to work the frenzied crowd. I can genuinely say I have never seen a crowd of this scale as hyped from the get go. Wynne’s bass is thunderous and vibrates throughout the arena during ‘Grubby’. Pockets of Mosh Pits appear and Kindlon took great pride in encouraging crowd surfing stating the rules of – ‘Put ‘em up keep ‘em up, don’t drop and look after one another‘. Kindlon reflects that they’ve played Dublin recently and it’s a lovely city, lively people and it doesn’t take much to get us excited and moving which he’s happy to witness.
The intensity of Drug Churches energy levels are certainly at 11! These lads came to have a good time and they are determined to make sure we do too. Their energy is contagious and their music is heavy and packs a mighty punch. Cogan and Galusha’s guitars are loud but melodic and harmonious for playing raw punk beats. The dedicated fans decibel levels whilst singing the lyrics along with Kindlon are deafening – Drug Church evidently have an established following in Ireland if tonight’s show is anything to go by. Last song of the night was ‘Weed Pin’ and Villeneuve plays like a demon the 3Arena floor is bouncing and a hive of activity. What an opener we are well and truly ready for the rest of tonight’s entertainment. The interval music is a variety of genres tonight which is indicative of the mix of genres we shall be entertained with.
Denzel Curry
Now I can genuinely admit that I have never attended a Rap concert. I am curious to see how this will translate with tonight’s audience. Denzel Curry hailing from Carol City, Florida his creative origins started with writing poetry and progressed with him entering battle rapping. I was informed by my brother living in Australia – Hi Micheal- that he is a fan of Denzel and in particular mentioned his song ‘Ricky’ and also told me of how Denzel covered a Rage Against The Machine track – ‘Bulls On Parade’ on an Aussie Radio station and ‘that it was sick’. I’ve always loved a good cross over so I’m intrigued with what Denzel will bring to Dublin. Denzel and his long-time touring DJ Poshtronaut take to the stage and the Dublin audience erupts with roars of welcome.
Denzel starts the set with ‘Ricky’ and the venue explodes with the crowd keeping up with Denzel’s lyrics. The Dublin crowd gladly sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Denzel after DJ Poshtronaut advises us that ‘its my dawgs birthday’. Denzel seemed genuinely humbled by the display of Birthday love from his Dublin fans. Followed up by introducing “let the bodies” ‘Hit The Floor’ the crowd are enthralled, arms raised and bouncing and the 3Arena is quaking whilst the stage is flashing red lights which cover the 3arena in a red hue. Denzel is aggressive and raw in his delivery with perfect accompaniment from DJ Poshtronaut, whois prompting the crowd and echoing Denzel’s lyrics with fierce solidarity. He bounds about the stage with sporadic swagger and rhythm in his steps.
Denzel asks Dublin is it hot in there? To which the crowd scream – DJ Poshtronaut comments “that’s a damn shame – we are gonna make it hotter in this mutherfucker” as the duo unveils ‘Walkin’ the crowd go wild arms waving in the air. Denzel is high octane throughout the set and it’s an amazing experience observing such a diverse crowd chanting to punk songs one minute and then rapping along with Denzel the next. Giving the current state of world affairs at present it’s heart-warming to see genres mix and blend and have a bloody great time. ‘GOATED’ a cover of the Armani White track which featured Denzel has the roof lifting off the 3Arena with a deep bass vibration. Denzel tells Dublin ‘I am having a muthafucking great mutha time’ and asked for the ‘God damn circle pits’ and of course Dublin were happy to oblige waiting for Denzel’s cue to kick into motion before ‘SUMO/ZUMO’ blasts off.
Denzel has the crowd crouching to the floor – getting low during ‘Ultimate’ and then jumping in the air at his command. Before introducing the final song of the set, Denzel reflects on a layover in Amsterdam and he heard a voice say “You’re the man D” when he looked up it was Zach de la Rocha from Rage Against The Machine – the crowd went wild. The RATM singer said that he wanted to answer back to Denzel by remixing the cover because the rappers version ‘turned everything back up’, in reference to his high intensity adaption of ‘Bulls on Parade’ on Triple J’s Like A Version Radio Show in 2019. Denzel delivered a ferocious and passionate cover of the much loved track with Dublin singing, jumping and moshing in harmony. Denzel has demonstrated tonight his versatility, his insane talent and his ability to work such a diverse audience and have one hell of a time whilst doing it.
Deftones
As the crew prepare the stage for the headliners the anticipation is palpable, the crowd are simmering and ready for the arrival of the majestic Deftones. The stage is enveloped in darkness and we hear Cunningham beat the drums and Jackman plays the opening riff to ‘Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), the screams of the Dublin audience are ear shattering. The lights illuminate the stage, the eye catching visuals of swirls and birds flying immerse the impressive screen to the back of the stage. Moreno skips and runs across the stage and he descends the steps of the stage set up and the decibels from the Dublin fans are at an all-time high. ‘locked club’ the first song from ‘Private Music’ evidences the Deftones honed skill at contrasting the mood from deep and intense to dreamy and melancholic.
The iconic snake from the newest album cover hypnotically slithers around on the screen. Sablan’s bass is thick and reverberates through not only the 3Arena but also our chests. This is no longer a concert this is a dreamy and atmospheric experience I buckle myself in for a trippy and high intensity ride. Next up‘Rocket Skates’ and ‘Diamond Eyes’ the title track from the sixth studio album, the strobe lights flicker and flash as a perfect accompaniment to the dynamic heavy riffs and beats. Moreno screams whilst standing on a speaker as the crowd sways and jumps to the powerful melodies, from the balcony the crowd appear like a choppy sea. The futuristic and industrial sounding intro, courtesy of Delgado’s turntable of ‘ecdysis’ kicks in. Sablan’s bass is chunky whilst Jackman’s guitar is choppy. A volcano erupts on screen and the 3Arena is covered in a red hue I suspect that this would be akin to the temperature of the standing area currently.
‘Digital Bath’ from the White Pony album see’s Moreno taking a guitar for the first time in tonight’s performance. This sensual yet sinister sounding song is melodically vulnerable yet contains an overwhelming sonic weight in places. The band continue with a mix of classic and newer treats such as ‘my mind is a mountain’, ‘souvenir’, and ‘Swerve City’ sees the crowd bouncing ecstatically. “Let me see you .. beautiful …and it’s fucking Monday” reveals Moreno who says very little but delivers in song. The next track is a good mate’s favourite Deftones tune and the first I ever heard, so it was fantastic to hear the ethereal ‘Rosemary’ live at last. Moreno’s voice was sublime his guitar sounded surreal and psychedelic. The melody and tone perfectly matches the emotionally intelligent lyrics – simply exquisite. ‘Cut Hands’ and ‘Infinite Source’, were the precursor to the wistful ‘Sextape’ – echoes of “tonight…tonight” filled the 3Arena followed by cries of “Chino…Chino”.
‘Hole In The Earth’ sees a chaotic tempo change – Cunningham is an absolute animal on the drum kit and mesmerising to watch. ‘Change (In The House of Flies)’ is a visual delight to watch and absorb – a real sensory treat watching a searing sunrise as the band deliver yet another otherworldly melody which sweeps us up in pleasurable bliss. ‘Genesis’ sees a return to a more raw and frenzied composition. The band depart the stage for a brief interval which the stage becomes engulfed in smaller bright beams with stars shining in the background. The band then return for the obligatory encore, the lights change to a dusky pink which can only mean one thing!! ‘Cherry Waves’ commences and we can just about make out Moreno over the elated song of the Dublin crowd. The hairs stand up on my neck witnessing such a highly emotive spectacle – plus it’s my favourite Deftones tune. Moreno addresses the crowd “thank you all so fucking very much, it’s been eight years since we’ve been here, many more faces, beautiful faces thank you guys”. The lads round off the night with the deep and crushing riffs of ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ and the visceral ‘7 words’. The 3Arena is trembling not only with the sound but with the movement of the audience, including the brave on the balcony who are stomping and rocking out to the final two songs. I empathise with the cautious staff who are trying their best to dissuade such activity but it falls on deaf ears as everyone is carried away with overwhelming emotion. What a night, what scorching yet gorgeous melodies, what a fusion of different genres under one roof, everything just encapsulates the Deftones experience. If you made the mistake of missing this Deftones gig do not make the mistake of missing out this summer, head to the IMMA and get swept away!
