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Deftones reveal line-up and details for 2023 Dia De Los Deftones

Deftones have revealed the line-up for their fourth annual Dia De Los Deftones festival – find all the details below.

• READ MORE: Deftones: “Even in our worst moments, we persevere”

The 2023 edition of the event is due to take place at Petco Park in San Diego, California on Saturday, November 4.

Headlined, hosted, and curated by Deftones, the one-dayer will also include live performances from 100 Gecs, Knocked Loose, Doechii, Pinback, Pieri, Rile and Capra across two stages.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time tomorrow (Friday, August 18) – you’ll be able to buy yours here. Alternatively, you can access a pre-sale now at the same link by using the code “TRACK”.

#DiaDeLosDeftones returns to San Diego on Nov 4, 2023 for our annual celebration of music and culture. This year we’ll be joined by 100 gecs, Knocked Loose, Doechii, Pinback, Pieri, Rile, and Capra. Tickets go on sale this Friday, 8/18, at 10AM PT. Our pre-sale begins tomorrow at… pic.twitter.com/kGLnspab5j — Deftones (@deftones) August 15, 2023

“Dia De Los Deftones showcases artists across the spectrum of culture, encompassing hip-hop, electronic, indie, alternative, and metal,” a press release reads.

“Inviting complete immersion and an inimitable experience, its concourse comprises art installations, local vendors, exclusive merchandise, and more. After three prior instalments, it has emerged as a celebrated annual tradition for Deftones and the greater Southern California community.”

Check out the official announcement video in the post above.

Last year’s edition of Dia De Los Deftones saw the likes of Turnstile, Phantogram and Freddie Gibbs take to the stage.

Speaking previously about the event, Deftones lead vocalist Chino Moreno explained: “We take a ton of pride in curating it; it’s a chance for us to put forth and showcase some artists that we love and respect, and putting on an amazing day of music and culture for our fans.”

Deftones released their ninth and most recent studio album, ‘Ohms’, back in 2020.

Talking to NME at Download Festival last summer, drummer Abe Cunningham explained that the band would maybe “try and jam on some new songs” once they returned home from touring.

The Deftones

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“No, for better or worse, there are never any rules or preconceived thought put into much of what we create. It’s mostly just jamming it out and seeing what happens.”

Then, in late 2022, Moreno said in an interview that Deftones were “chipping away” at new material (via Metal Injection ).

The post Deftones reveal line-up and details for 2023 Dia De Los Deftones appeared first on NME.

Text source from: https://www.nme.com/news/music/deftones-reveal-line-up-and-details-for-2023-dia-de-los-deftones-3484680?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=deftones-reveal-line-up-and-details-for-2023-dia-de-los-deftones

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While the band is deeply rooted in metal, Deftones draws on a constantly-changing blend of influences. It draws on genres like alternative metal, post-punk, post-hardcore, alternative rock, stoner rock, hard rock, art rock, experimental rock, funk metal, and nu-metal to create a one-of-a-kind musical style.

Frontman and founding member Chino Moreno's specific and unique lyrical style is often described as ambiguous and indirect. The band's legacy is frequently compared to alternative rock group Radiohead, with some in the media dubbing Deftones "The Radiohead of metal.” Depeche Mode, Faith No More, Afrika Bambaataa, The Cure, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Duran Duran, Thompson Twins, and Hum are just a few of Moreno’s well-known influences.

Over the last 30 years, Deftones have released seven studio albums, including three platinums, and one gold certificate for its bestselling self-titled album. From humble beginnings, it’s incredible to see the journey that the band has made.

Stephen Carpenter, guitarist of the band, taught himself the instrument while confined to a wheelchair at the age of 15 after he was hit by a car while skateboarding. When his childhood friends, vocalist Chino Moreno and drummer Abe Cunningham, learned he could play, the three began jamming together, and soon formed a group.

The group featured a rotating cast of instrumentalists in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, as Cunningham temporarily departed and bassist Chi Cheng joined. With Cunningham’s return in 1993, the band finalized its lineup. Deftones signed a recording contract with Maverick Records and released the first album, Adrenaline, a few years later, in 1995.

The group’s sophomore effort, Around the Fur, dropped in 1997 and soared up the charts. The singles from the album became the band's first songs to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The band found continued success with the third album, White Pony, in 2000. White Pony marked a transition away from the band’s earlier, more traditional metal sound to a progressive, experimental style. The band enjoyed the most prominent commercial success with the lead single, "Change (In the House of Flies)."

Deftones released a self-titled album in 2003, marking the band’s fourth studio effort. Deftones was a darling of critics, but it failed to generate the same commercial success the band saw with White Pony.

Deftones' released its fifth album, Saturday Night Wrist, was released in 2006. Again, the album garnered much critical acclaim, but personal tensions and creative differences among band members impacted the production. Some of these issues inspired the songs included on the album.

In 2008, Deftones was at work on the next album, "Eros, tragedy struck. A severe traffic accident in Santa Clara, CA, left bassist Cheng comatose, leading to Cheng's eventual death in 2013. Sergio Vega replaced the bassist in 2009.

Deftones released its sixth album, Diamond Eyes, in 2010. In promotion of the new album, Deftones embarked on a triple-headline tour. Alice in Chains and Mastodon were the other headliners, and the tour encompassed many major North American cities.

Koi No Yokan, the band's seventh album, dropped in 2012, followed by Gore in 2016. Both albums highlighted the band's increasingly experimental shift in style and received high critical praise.

Deftones released its ninth album, Ohms, in September 2020. The album received significant critical acclaim for the return to the band's original sound. At the same time, the band was scheduled to begin a joint tour with Gojira, which was ultimately postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, the band announced a 20th-anniversary reissue of White Pony, scheduled for release in December of that same year. The special reissue edition was initially packaged along with Black Stallion, a companion remix album featuring guest performances by artists DJ Shadow, Mike Shinoda, and Robert Smith.

In March 2022, an official announcement was made that bassist Sergio Vega had left the band in early 2021.

As well as producing several critically acclaimed albums, the band has a Grammy Award under its belt for Best Metal Performance in 2001 for its song “Elite.” Additionally, Deftones also received Album of the Year at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards for Koi No Yokan.

Deftones has spent a large proportion of its career touring locally, internationally, and worldwide.

Live reviews

What a night! The band opened with "Headup" from their sophomore album, Around the Fur, then dove straight into "My Own Summer". These two tracks made me super happy because they were some of my absolute favorites when I was an angry teenager. LOL. (I guess I still kind of am today.)

Just after those two older songs, they floored the crowd with the opening track from Koi No Yokan - "Swerve City," followed by two more from White Pony - "Digital Bath," and "Elite." The former being a sonic landscape of pure magic and the latter being an absolute bone-crushing performance. (Although I will say the vocoder part on that track got on my nerves a bit since it sounded like it was overpowering the rest of the instruments.)

To my surprise, they only played one track from the new album, Gore, which was "The Phantom Bride," though it was hauntingly beautiful. (I was really hoping for Prayers/Triangles - but it was still great!)

This was followed by another slower song, "You've Seen the Butcher" - which is just a brutally heavy (almost jazzy) tune from the album Diamond Eyes.

Another Diamond Eyes track was next - "Rocket Skates" - which was arguably the most fun and energetic of the entire set in my opinion. The chorus, "GUNS! RAZORS! KNIVES! FUCK WITH ME!" showed on little LED panels behind the band - it was so cool to watch and sing along.

Another slow burner from Koi No Yokan, "Rosemary," followed. I love this song with its plodding intensity, soaring chorus, and absolutely devastating breakdown at the end.

A crowd favorite from White Pony (probably their most popular album) followed, which was extremely intense with the screams in the middle of the track. Man, HOW DOES CHINO DO THAT?!?! I know it was a woman on the album, but I swear I we witnessed him throw an absolutely blood-curdling shriek right toward the end of the song. WOW.

The band did something sneaky next. The played the first verse of "Rivière" from Saturday Night Wrist before stomping through the heavier part of the end of that song. Again, I was a little disappointed (Why not "Hole in the Earth"? Darn. Next time.) Still, very cool.

Two more Deftones classics followed from White Pony - "Change (In the House of Flies)" and "Back to School (Mini Maggit)". These aren't my favorites - I got really tired of "Change" when the band blew up in the early 2000s, but the still jammed hard, so nothing to complain about their performance.

The last two songs were "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" - which is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS - and "Minerva," - from the self-titled album - which is my best friend's favorite song. Both were absolutely wonderful; the crowd was absolutely insane during the last song.

Then Chino dropped his guitar. The stage went dark and they walked off stage... the air was so thick and you could just feel something very special was about to happen.

Then we saw the bassist sneak back to his spot... it was an encore! The evening closed with "Teething" from the Crow 2 Soundtrack. Folks, let me tell you THEY. KILLED. THIS. SONG. It was amazing. I have long loved this track and it was the absolute perfect way to end the night.

Overall, I wish we'd heard more stuff from the new album, Gore, and my wife REAAAAALLLLY wanted them to play the title track "Diamond Eyes" from their sixth album.

But all-in-all I'm a huge fan and that will never change! I absolutely loved the concert. Chino, Abe, Stef and the rest of the band were all incredible and I can't wait to see them again!

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Amazing performance by Deftones. Three trapped tigers and thrice sounded great as well. Rise Against had their hands full closing out the show after deftones just killed it. I am suprised they didnt just let deftones close every night. No offense to rise against but coming after a band thats been around as long as deftones would be tough for anybody. They sounded okay, Mid Florida Ampitheatre is a tough one because its built almost in a dome atmosphere essentially making it a big as subwoofer. So bass and drums kinda carry abit over guitars and vocals. Set wise Deftones felt a little short, almost rushed mainly due to Tampa curfew. But I am a Deftones fan since the beginning so ofcourse I want to here 30 songs from their catalog everytime. Thrice really blew me away. They really havent lost any steps since being away for abit. Every song was crisp and clear. You could tell they were really enjoying themselves and trying like hell to take in all the time they were given. Three trapped tigers were also a nice treat. It makes me wonder what these guys could do if they were to add a vocalist in the mix. Being strictly instrumental is tough to do especially opening for bands like Rise Against and Deftones. But that being said those guys were juggernauts on their respective instruments so that has to be acknowledged and appreciated by fans of any genre. Overall solid show and interesting tour pairing. Both deftones and rise against probably gained some new ears for their music so it was a win win for both bands.

Seeing the one-of-a-kind band Deftones in action was an amazing sight indeed. This five-piece put on a mostly flawless show, except for having pretty bad sound quality on the first song which was fixed by the second. Their unique sound known as 'dream-metal' to some was a mixture of dream pop melodies and atmospheric vocals with heavier riffs that ranged from the soft and surreal sounds of White Pony to the nu-metal influenced aggression of their first two albums, which has since matured into the intelligent stylings of Diamond Eyes. Anyways, due to being in the seats (even though they were good seats) I couldn't get a good look at how they were playing, though at least it sounded pretty spot-on. The only thing I didn't care for was the MC who only did some live playing but used a lot of background tracks as well. Besides that, the show was perfect, especially in terms of the setlist as its been a long time I've known as much of a band's set as here. They opened with "Rocket Skates" before playing "Diamond Eyes", "Be Quiet and Drive", "Digital Bath", and "You've Seen the Butcher" all in a row, making the most perfect run of my favorite tracks. Then for the second half they covered all their older material with "Engine No. 9", "Change", "Root", and finally closing with my first favorite song "7 Words". Unfortunately they didn't play "Passenger", their cover of "Simple Man", or their song "Mein" which features Serj (perfect guest appearence opportunity) but I won't complain about their excellent show.

Deftones have been around for longer than most realise, yet one look at their mammoth crowd gathered beneath Reading's main stage would be a good indication to the reputation this alt-metal band have achieved. Masters of a difficult genre known as dream metal, the quintet kick off proceedings with a note perfect rendition of 'Diamond Eyes' and the crowd instantly begin to thrash and move along to the surrealistic rock vibes.

Lead vocalist Chino Merino is clearly enjoying himself up onstage as he dances around to the opening beats of 'My Own Summer' as his tight band play the instrumentals at blistering pace. He conducts the masses in a singalong, and it did not matter if you knew the music or not, there was a wonderful feeling of unison.

A number of the cult hits were included such as 'Be Quiet and Drive' and 'Hexagram' yet it was a sublime rendition of their very first single '7 Words' that really brought the house down. The band gave everything to this performance and for a moment Merino and co stood to soak up the Reading atmosphere and appreciate how far they had come since the first single had been released in 1997.

Deftones are a drop of much needed relief in a sea of Californian music. The band are metal heads: they specialise in alternative heavy metal, unusual for Californians. They are an incredibly talented bunch, who are unique in that they have achieved great crossovers with Rock and Metal, and even the occasional Pop. Their sound has been described as ‘Dream Metal’ by some, due to its mix of dream pop melodies with more aggressive metal and rock chords. Deftones mix atmospheric vocals with pumping, hard core instrumentals to great success. They are a force to be reckoned with on stage: the crowd was crazy for the surrealist rock vibes the band was giving off. The venue was packed and a mosh pit had soon formed, with various thrashing and jumping going on at full force. The lead vocalist was powerful and loved the audience, often getting them revved up and shouting out to us. Classics such as ‘Diamond Eyes’, ‘My Own Summer’, ‘Passenger’ and ‘Change’ were all performed and all received great crowd reactions, real highlights of the show.

I went for AFI - had seen some bad reviews of their live stuff in the past so was a little worried but they totally killed it, hope they tour UK soon.

The deftones however were a different story; my parents were there for them, however we ended up leaving early because it was 1) so obnoxiously loud that I had to wear my headphones to dull it even slightly 2) the crowd was aggressive and throwing beer everywhere 3) the songs weren't really my parents favourites and the sound wasn't great.

I can tell they're good performers, I just think a mixture of the acoustics of the room and the sheer volume ruined it a bit. The crowd also. But I guess if you like a bit of danger in a crowd then its right up your street

They skipped out on the only other show I was supposed to see them back in 2003 (Summer Sanitarium in Minneapolis). I attended this show with certain expectations and the show went pretty much exactly as I thought it might. They played a good number of hits and bunch of stuff no one but a hardcore Deftones fan would recognize. I was a little bummed they didn't play Lotion but since they played Around the Fur and My Own Summer, I was happy (my favorite album obviously being Around the Fur). One aspect that exceeded expectations was the light show...constant lights during almost all of the show. It made the mundane middle of the show interesting and decently fun to watch.

Deftones always rocks. A lot of energy and the crowd going wild.

Chino is really good front man.

On the other arena Anhembi is the worst place that I watched a concert.

The organization fail as usual in concerts at this place. I took 45,minutes in the line to check my ticket.

They implement a process to validate if the tickets are original, where every single people must present a document end a credit card. Total fail. The lines are huge and took more than 20 minutes just to check the ticket.

The sound was very low and apparently the PAs in the middle of the crowd seems to be turned off.

The concert was really great.

The show was a long journey through the band's discography except themes from their most recent album: Gore.

The set was really powerful, even though the stage sound experienced some technical issues on the first two songs.

The Full set list included.

Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)

My Own Summer (Shove It)

Around the Fur

Swerve City

Digital Bath

What Happened to You?

Hole in the Earth

Change (In the House of Flies)

Diamond Eyes

You've Seen the Butcher

Rocket Skates

Deftones were MAD! Chino owned the stage and was a really good presence up there. They sounded better live than on their albums in my opinion. The only gripe i have is that it was a SHIT venue at Metro City Perth, people were struggling to see because its a multiple story building there are pillars and columns everywhere, the staff were just plain rude and lacked any sort of personality! Would love to see Deftones again, maybe with Max Cavalera with them.

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SYSTEM OF A DOWN, KORN, DEFTONES & More Booked For Debut Sick New World Festival 2023

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About deftones.

Deftones is an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, U.S. Formed in 1988, the band was founded by Chino Moreno (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Stephen Carpenter (lead guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums) and Dominic Garcia (bass). During the group's first five years, the band's lineup changed several times, but stabilized in 1993 when Cunningham rejoined the group after his departure in 1990; by this time, Chi Cheng was the band's bassist. The lineup remained stable for fifteen years, with the exception of keyboardist and turntablist Frank Delgado being added in 1999. The band is known as one of the most experimental groups to have come from the alternative metal music scene. They are sometimes dubbed "the Radiohead of metal" by critics. Deftones have released eight albums since their inception. After the lineup settled in 1993, the band secured a recording contract with Maverick Records, and subsequently released their debut album, Adrenaline, in 1995. Promoting the album by touring exhaustively with other bands in the scene, Deftones managed to gain a dedicated fan base through word of mouth. Their sophomore album, Around the Fur, was released in 1997. The album and its singles reached chart positions, and the album was the band's first to receive certification from the RIAA. The band found even further success with their third album, White Pony, in 2000. It showed a transition away from the band's earlier sound into a more experimental direction. Its lead single, "Change (In the House of Flies)", is the group's most commercially successful single, and the album track "Elite" won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. White Pony was the band's first of three albums to be certified platinum in the United States. Their self-titled fourth album was released in 2003. While the group's critical success continued, sales proved to be lackluster compared to White Pony. The follow-up, Saturday Night Wrist, was released in 2006 after a temporary falling out within the band due to creative tensions. Its completion was also delayed by personal issues within the band, some of which influenced its material. In 2008, while Deftones were working on an album tentatively titled Eros, Cheng was involved in a traffic collision. As a result, he was left in a minimally conscious state until his death in 2013 of cardiac arrest. During that time, Deftones halted production on Eros. Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega, who had filled in as a touring member to replace Cheng, later became his permanent replacement. The band released Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan in 2010 and 2012 respectively. Their latest release, titled Gore, was released in 2016.

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Deftones debut new line-up on first night of long-awaited tour with Gojira

The band have officially added former Marilyn Manson bassist Fred Sablan to their touring line-up

Deftones have officially unveiled their new touring line-up, with bassist Fred Sablan making his debut on the first night of the band’s long-awaited North American tour with Gojira .

• READ MORE: Deftones: “Even in our worst moments, we persevere”

Sablan, who is best known as the former bassist for Marilyn Manson , kicked off his tenure with Chino Moreno and co. at the band’s Portland show at the Moda Center on Thursday night (April 14).

It comes after Vega announced last month that he had officially left Deftones . The bassist had played with the iconic metal band since replacing former bassist Chi Cheng in 2009, but after rumours began to circle of Vega’s departure following a new band photo without him emerged, he confirmed the news in a video message.

Deftones’ spring North American tour with Gojira runs until the end of May, with stops scheduled in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, New York, Toronto, Chicago and more. Check out the full dates here .

“What a welcome back, Portland. Thank you. Seattle tomorrow night,” the band wrote on Instagram yesterday (April 15), sharing an image from their opening Portland show.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Deftones (@deftones)

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Check out footage from Sablan’s debut below:

Detones live, April 14th, Moda Center, Portland, OR. Great damn show… intense. #deftones #deftonesband #portland #oregon #modacenter #rosequater @deftones pic.twitter.com/VyDsgkfULm — Miguel Lugo (@luguash) April 15, 2022

Detones live, April 14th, Moda Center, Portland, OR. Great damn show… intense Deftones Setlist at Moda Center, Portland, OR, USA. @deftones #deftones #portland #oregon #chinomoreno #modacenter pic.twitter.com/M0YO1H6xKa — Miguel Lugo (@luguash) April 15, 2022

The band gave live debut’s to a number of tracks including ‘Genesis’, ‘Ohms’ and ‘Lovers’. You can check out the setlist below.

Deftones played:

‘Genesis’ ‘Rocket Skates’ ‘Prayers/Triangles’ ‘Royal’ ‘Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)’ ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ ‘Tempest’ ‘Swerve City’ ‘Digital Bath’ ‘Knife Prty’ ‘Beware’ ‘Sextape’ ‘Diamond Eyes’ ‘Rosemary’ ‘Bloody Cape’ ‘Ohms’ ‘Engine No. 9’

Encore: ‘Lovers’ ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’

Deftones released their most recent album, ‘Ohms’, back in 2020. In a five-star review , NME ‘s James McMahon called the band’s reunion with producer Terry Date “an album that’s as thrilling – and as emotional – as they have ever sounded”.

Meanwhile, Sergio Vega recently confirmed he has new projects in the works .

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• Nov 02 2024 Dia De Los Deftones 2024 San Diego, CA, USA  –  Find tickets Add time Tickets Add time Add times

Deftones at Golden Gate Park Polo Field, San Francisco, CA, USA

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Deftones Debut New Lineup as They Kick Off Long-Awaited Tour with Gojira: Recap + Photos

The post Deftones Debut New Lineup as They Kick Off Long-Awaited Tour with Gojira: Recap + Photos appeared first on Consequence .

Setting the Stage: For as long as Deftones and Gojira had to wait before they could finally tread the boards at Portland, Oregon’s Moda Center to kick off their North American tour on Thursday night (April 14th), neither band wasted any precious moments of their stage time commenting on the pandemic, the postponements, or anything concerning the strangeness of the past two years.

Despite the tour being twice-postponed (it was originally slated for summer 2020), a lot has happened for both bands leading up to this night. In addition to releasing their most recent album Ohms in 2020 and a 20th anniversary edition of White Pony , Deftones earned a couple of Grammy nominations for the songs “Ohms” and “Genesis.” There was also an air of mystery going into the show, as it was recently revealed that the band parted ways with bassist Sergio Vega, and a replacement hadn’t yet been announced.

Gojira, meanwhile, have had an eventful year since they released their seventh studio album, Fortitude . That LP scored the French metal act its highest debut on the Billboard 200 chart and netted the band a Grammy nomination. And they’ve already played headlining tours of the United States and Europe in support of the album.

Even this particular tour ( tickets available here ) has undergone some changes as planned opener Poppy dropped off after the two postponements. (She was replaced on these dates by Australian industrial duo VOWWS.) Yet outside of some stray remarks from Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and Gojira leader Joe Duplantier laughing about how fans were going to see his band shaking off some nonexistent rust, both groups wasted little time last night, opting to get right down to business of mercilessly tearing through their career-spanning sets.

Taking the Stage: For an arena rock show marked, as it should be, by its large scale and massive volume, Deftones’ headlining set was defined by its small gestures.

There were the nods to their patient fans by way of a setlist that touched on every one of the band’s nine studio albums and included three live debuts: “Genesis” and the title track from their 2020 album Ohms , and “Lovers,” a 2003 B-side from their “Hexagram” single. That last song was an especially welcome treat as proven by the wave of excitement that rippled through the crowd from the first wowing synth note and the number of folks shouting along with Moreno whenever he returned to the lyrical phrase, “I wish she’d come.”

Then there were the little moments where the members of Deftones, especially Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter, made sure that everyone in the room and on the stage were staying connected for the duration of the 75-minute performance. They were often tiny things like when Moreno wandered over to the far edge of stage left to give a quick wave to someone in the crowd (probably the tiny pre-teen sitting on her father’s shoulders) while the band barreled through the Diamond Eyes cut “Rocket Skates.” Or the devil horns Carpenter flashed to a fan between songs at the set’s midpoint.

From a practical standpoint, the show confirmed the rumor that bassist Fred Sablan (known for his work with Marilyn Manson and Chelsea Wolfe) is Deftones’ new touring bassist. The band was also joined by an as-yet-unidentified second guitarist on select tracks.

Throughout the night, the band members shared knowing looks, smiles, and nods with one another. They were expressions both of support and of sheer delight at finally being onstage together after a long break. And it felt like a gesture of solidarity for Sablan on his first night stepping into the fray of a long tour with a new band.

Catching those various gestures wasn’t easy as Deftones left little time for stage banter or goofing around. The first half of the set roared ahead with only quick pauses between songs for a quick “Thank you!” from Moreno. It wasn’t until after “Knife Prty” that the singer finally opened up a bit, noting how wild it was for the tour to finally be happening and that a packed house was there to see it. “You people stuck with us,” he said. “That shit is ill.”

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Chino Moreno on Deftones’ Return to Touring: It’s “Going to Be Cathartic” to Scream and Sing Again

Gojira took the stage prior to Deftones, and whatever rust Joe Duplantier was speaking of regarding his band’s set was relegated only to some apparent technical issues. Early on, the singer-guitarist made a couple of stops on the side of the stage, looking like he was having some trouble with either his stage monitors or the one tucked into his ears.

While the band was tight as ever, there was an audible muddiness that plagued the set, partially obscuring Joe Duplantier’s pointed lyrics and muffling the impact of his and Andreu’s guitar work. It did, however, favor the drumming, with Mario’s double kick work dominating the sound field on their especially heated performances of Magma’s “Silvera,” and the title track from L’enfant sauvage.

Even without their full array of visuals and pyrotechnics, Gojira played with explosive heat, particularly on the material from their most recent album. “Grind” had a demolition derby energy thanks to drummer Mario Duplantier’s punk-ish assault and the insistent squeal of the guitars, and on set closer “Amazonia,” the group was given a nice jolt by an appearance from Car Bomb guitarist Greg Kubacki, who borrowed one of Christian Andreu’s axes to play the song’s steely hook.

Gojira’s set also inadvertently provided a litmus test for the mood of the Portland audience. The energy in the Moda Center noticeably shifted when the band took on two of the slower, more textured tracks from Fortitude, “The Chant” and “Hold On.” Try as Joe Duplantier did to get folks to sing along with the wordless vocal hook of the former, few joined in. This was a crowd hungry for a cleansing assault of volume and energy from two of the best heavy rock bands in the business. Anything less than that made them visibly restless, but also made the release that followed when Gojira slammed into another brutal and technical fan favorite that much sweeter.

See our photos of Deftones, Gojira, and Vowws in the gallery below, followed by fan-filmed video and the setlists. The tour runs through a May 28th shows in Minneapolis. Pick up tickets via Ticketmaster .

Photo Gallery – Deftones, Gojira, and Vowws at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon (click to enlarge and scroll through):

All photos by Kevin Pettigrew .

Deftones Setlist: Genesis Rocket Skates Prayers/Triangles Royal Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) My Own Summer (Shove It) Tempest Swerve City Digital Bath Knife Prty Beware Sextape Diamond Eyes Rosemary Bloody Cape Ohms Engine No. 9 Encore: Lovers Change (In The House of Flies)

Gojira Setlist: Born For One Thing Backbone Stranded Flying Whales The Cell Hold On Grind Silvera Another World L’enfant sauvage The Chant Amazonia

Deftones Debut New Lineup as They Kick Off Long-Awaited Tour with Gojira: Recap + Photos Robert Ham

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8 Can't-Miss Acts At Afro Nation Detroit 2024: Shenseea, Ayra Starr, Kizz Daniel & More

After a successful first year, Afro Nation Detroit returns to Bedrock's Douglass Site on Aug. 17 and 18. Get to know some of performers who are sure to be weekend highlights, from Uncle Waffles to Scorpion Kings.

Since its inception in 2019, Afro Nation has brought together the world's best and brightest entertainers in Afrobeats, amapiano, R&B, and hip-hop to perform on stages across the world. For the second year in a row, the festival takes over Bedrock's Douglass Site in Detroit — promising to continue its tradition of highlighting the best in Black music.

With its unique Detroit location, the festival bridges the gap between African music, global Black music, and the rich musical traditions that came out of Motown. In fact, the festival's site was once home to the first federally funded housing project for Black citizens in the city; Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson were among its residents. 

Afro Nation Detroit offers as much history as it does global appeal, as its lineup is filled with buzzy rising stars and beloved veteran acts. Among those on the star-studded roster are Nigerian sensations Omah Lay , Rema and Asake , amapiano stars Kelvin Momo and TxC, and hitmakers Lil Wayne and PartyNextDoor . 

Of course, it wouldn't be a Detroit event without native rapper Kash Doll, who performs on Saturday. And she won't be the only Detroiter performing over the weekend: genre-bending soul singer Charity and DJ Donavan Glover will also be repping their city amid sounds from around the globe.

That's just a taste of the exciting performances scheduled to showcase the diversity of Black music in one of its influential cities. Below, get to know eight acts who you won't want to miss at the second edition of Afro Nation Detroit.

Sat., Aug. 17 (Lit Stage)

At the age of 22, Ayra Starr is already making history. In February, The Beninese-Nigerian singer was the youngest nominee in the inaugural Best African Music Performance Category at the 2024 GRAMMYs ; and in June, her debut album, The Year I Turned 21 helped her become the first female Nigerian artist to debut on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Just before her Afro Nation appearance, Starr added another first to her resume: she became the first Afrobeats singer to be part of Amazon Music's Breakthrough Artist program. The honor aligned with the release of her Amazon Music documentary, Dare to Dream , which chronicles her rise to global fame. There's no doubt that Ayra Starr will offer a showstopping performance that proves why she's such an acclaimed artist to watch.

Uncle Waffles

Sat., Aug. 17 (Piano People Stage)

Often regarded as the "princess of amapiano," Uncle Waffles is one of the genre's most forward-facing talents. In less than five years, the internationally recognized DJ/producer has been listed on TikTok's inaugural Visionary Voices Africa List, been nominated at the BET Awards and MOBO Awards; this year, she became the first amapiano artist to perform at Coachella.

Her talents have also earned Uncle Waffles co-sign from Beyoncé — whose Renaissance World Tour homage to Uncle Waffles' "Tanzania" nearly brought the star to tears — Drake, Ciara, and Missy Elliott. Needless to say, Uncle Waffles is an act that you won't want to miss at AfroNation Detroit.

Read More: 11 Women Pushing Amapiano To Global Heights: Uncle Waffles, Nkosazana Daughter, & More

Think Daft Punk , but amapiano. Masked South African DJ duo 2woBunnies decided on the concept of anonymity as a way to create intrigue about their unique take on the genre, and let their music do the rest.

Though it has only been two years since their debut, they have done just that, from garnering more than 1 million likes on TikTok to performing sets everywhere from Dubai to Australia. Following first-time performances in major cities like Paris and Toronto, they'll make their Detroit debut next — and you don't want to miss the excitement they'll bring to Afro Nation. 

Kizz Daniel

Since releasing his breakout single, "Woju," in 2015, Kizz Daniel has been a trailblazer in bringing Afrobeats to the world. And nearly 10 years in, he's continuing to deliver songs that resonate — including a hit remix of "Twe Twe" with fellow Nigerian star Davido .

Kizz Daniel's Afro Nation performance comes on the heels of another fiery remix, as he recently hopped on Nigerian artist Kaestyle's "My Dealer." He'll have plenty of new songs from his own catalog to bring to his set, too, including his latest single, "Double,” and EP TZA . Whether new or old, Kizz Daniel will be ready to give his crowd a lesson in Afrobeats.

Sun., Aug. 18 (Lit Stage)

In May, Shenseea released her sophomore studio album, Never Gets Late Here , which solidified the GRAMMY nominee as one of Jamaica's most promising rising stars. "Hit & Run", the album's single, was warmly received throughout the Caribbean, reaching No. 1 on several charts across Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and many other countries in the region.

Fittingly, Shenseea first brought Never Gets Late Here to life on stages across the Caribbean, where her onstage energy matched the hyped crowds. She stops by Afro Nation Detroit just after kicking off her Never Gets Late Here North American Tour in Chicago on Aug. 16, so she'll surely be ready to show festgoers why she's so beloved in her home country and beyond.

To say Amaarae is in demand would be an understatement. Sabrina Carpenter personally requested the Ghanaian American artist as an opening act for her forthcoming tour; Childish Gambino featured her on his new album, Bando Stone & the New World , and its accompanying tour; and she recently made history as the first Ghanaian artist to perform on NPR's Tiny Desk.

Her latest release, roses are red, tears are blue — A Fountain Baby Extended Play , are equal parts Afropop and alté, a fusion genre that originated in West Africa and combines hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats. Her sweet, alluring nature signifies her place as one of the most exciting new talents to take over pop. Don't miss the opportunity to see a new global pop girl take center stage. 

Scorpion Kings

Sun., Aug. 18 (Piano People Stage)

DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small — often referred to as the "godfathers" of amapiano — are the men behind Scorpion Kings. Already established in their own right and respected in South Africa's dance scene, the two have been inextricably linked to the global rise of the genre, and the celebration of South African and African music across the globe.

Last month, the pair performed alongside the who's who in amapiano — Kelvin Momo, Oskido, DJ Tunez, DJ Moma, Aquite, and the Descendants — in Central Park, making history as the first amapiano performance in the famed New York landmark. The duo is sure to keep the party going with their signature flair in Detroit.

There is a good chance that you know of DJ Moma. In addition to being one of the founding members of Everyday People, the Sudanese American DJ has been playing African music in venues throughout the country and world for over a decade.

His blend of African and Diasporic music, and incorporation of soca, amapiano, and dancehall are a celebration of everything that is global Black music. It is more than music to him, but a way to bring Diasporic musical traditions to the forefront, in an effort to connect and unify People of the African Diaspora across the globe. His mission will make for an Afro Nation Detroit moment that is as meaningful as it is joyful — a combination that's exactly what the fest is all about.

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Photo: Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

In the 1990s, artists and producers from Accra merged the sound and aesthetic of American hip-hop with their Ghanaian sounds and culture. The resulting genre, hiplife, significantly influenced the music coming from Ghana and the African continent.

Ghana has been home to some of the most recognizable musical exports from the African continent, contributing heavily to the globalization and development of the continent's sound. While highlife is regarded as the country’s biggest sonic export, the introduction of hiplife some 30 years ago invigorated the Ghanaian music scene and birthed some of the country's most important artists. 

Hiplife music blends hip-hop from the West with Ghanaian highlife sounds like Jama and Kpanlogo — a sound and dance by the Ga people, who make use of nono (metal bell), fao (gourd rattle), and local drums to play beats. These elements were fused with funk, bass, and boom-bap to create hiplife. Hiplife and hip-hop have aural similarities and both use rapping; both genres also reflect a larger culture. 

While Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is considered one of the earliest rappers, as demonstrated on his 1973 song "Simigwa-Do," the term "hiplife" was only coined in the late 1990s by genre pioneer Reggie Rockstone. Still, American hip-hop had arrived in the Ghanaian capital of Accra by the early '90s and local rappers began to release their own music soon after. Duo Talking Drum were among this early cohort, and their single " Aden" was an underground hit in 1993.

As a movement and culture, hiplife is also an identity,  created to encourage people to be daring in their exploration of sound. Pioneering hiplife artists like Root Eye Samini and Shatta Wale (then known as Bandana) fused dancehall and highlife in the early '90s to make music which could connect with local audiences.  

Collaborations between artists and producers have been crucial in defining the sound, evolution, and amplification of hiplife. Just as hip-hop has developed a plethora of subgenres , hiplife has birthed other sounds such as azonto and asakaa . An offshoot of asakaa, Ghanaian drill, was among the elements in the new Best African Music Performance Category at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

The story of hiplife includes many important producers, artists and labels, including Kassa Records, DJ Rab, Zap Mallet, Akyeame, Panji Anoff, JayQ, Hammer,   Ex Doe, Chicago, and Okomfour Kwadee . Going forward, the mantle will fall on artists like TicTac, Abrewa Nana, Appietus, and much later a younger generation including  Asem, Richie Mensah , and Beeztrap KOTM continue to amplify hiplife. Afrobeats artists have also taken notice; Tic Tac and Tony Tetuila’s "Fefe Ne Fe " was sampled on the 2019 song "Gbese" by DJ Tunez feat. Wizkid and Blaqjerzee. 

With African music continuing to gain global recognition, the rich sounds emanating from the African continent are ripe for exploration.  Read on for 10 artists who have been essential to the story of hiplife music.

Reggie Rockstone

Reggie Rockstone is regarded by many Ghanaians as the godfather of hiplife, having paved the path for many to pursue rapping as a career. Working with producers like the late Rab Bakari (DJ Rab Bakari), Reggie set the ball rolling for hiplife through songs like "Tsooboi." 

His 1997 album Makaa Maka offered an early template for the sound, fusing Western-influenced hip-hop with traditional Ghanaian highlife sounds. The linguistically adept Reggie Rockstone — a Ghanaian boy who was raised in the UK and New York — rapped in both English and impeccable Ghanaian Twi to the shock and admiration of many. By this singular act, he proved that it was cool to rap in your own dialect and not necessarily in English, like American rappers of the '90s.

Reggie's will to make Ghanaian rap music stand out via releases like Me Na Me Kae , and Me Ka did not go unrewarded. He also scored hits with his singles "Keep Your Eyes on the Road," "Plan Ben," and "AH." He has also collaborated with dancehall giant Beenie Man and Nigerian legend 2Face .

Lord Kenya rose to fame when he joined Slip Music, one of Ghana’s celebrated music labels of the late '90s and mid-2000s. His musicality was undeniable, and his hardcore rap style was adored by many for its energetic flow and delivery.  Likened to Tupac Shakur , Kenya was very direct whenever he was on the mic. He never shied away from any lyrical battle thus earning him the title "rap heavyweight." His swagger on and off the mic made him a star, with many eager to catch him anytime he performed.  

Lord Kenya's street affinity, coupled with great stage performances, left a mark on Ghanaian audiences. His albums — including 1998's Sika Card, Yesom Sika, and Sika Baa — solidified his position as one of hiplife’s most important artists. Kenya's hit singles " Enyomo ," "Medo" and "Sika Mpo Mfa Neho" as well as his verse on the late Daseebre Dwamena’s song, " Kookoo " ushered in a street approach to the rap scene, as seen in the careers of rappers like Kwaw Kese and Kweku Smoke in later years.

Revered, celebrated, and crowned by music rap purists in Ghana as "Rap Sofo" (high priest of rap), Obrafour influenced multiple generations of rappers in Ghana. The artist first gained popularity in the late '90s with his cadence and mastery over his mother tongue, Twi, as well as his storytelling, lyricism, and wisdom.

Obrafour’s flow complemented the work of legendary producer Hammer, who brought hard-hitting drums, horns, and legendary sharp chords to Obrafour’s 1999 album Pae Mu Ka . The album is regarded as the bridge that connected older audiences who dismissed hiplife as a passing fad and the youth, who regarded hiplife as the future of Ghanaian music. Today, Pae Mu Ka is as important to hiplife as Nas’ Illmatic is to hip-hop.

Pae Mu Ka was the first of several collaborations between Obrafour and Hammer. Together, they created a sound that would influence generations of rappers. Obrafour is held in high regard by rappers such as M.anifest , Guru, Ko-Jo Cue , and Pappy Kojo.

Established in Nima, a suburb of Accra, VIP underwent significant personnel changes but never let their commitment to hiplife music falter. Original member Friction later onboarded Promzy, Prodigal, and Lazzy (who later changed his name to Zeal), and Bone championed the vision of the group for over a decade (as well as the departure of  Friction, Bone and Promzy).

Backed by the group's diverse personalities, VIP quickly became one of the biggest music exports of the country, winning six awards at the Ghana Music Awards in (2004), including Song Of The Year for the 2003 hit title track "Ahomka Wo Mu." Over a two-decade period, the group released albums and scored several hits and collaborated with some of the continent's finest, including   2Face , Patoranking and a host of others. Vision in Progress (VIP) epitomized the cultural ethos of hiplife: raw energy, passion and talent.

When Reggie Rockstone, a longtime admirer of the group, arrived in 2014, the group became  VVIP. The group’s success would be further cemented as they crossed over into Nigeria and other parts of the world. "Ahomka Wo Mu" has been sampled and interpolated by various musicians, including songs by   MUT4Y & Wizkid   and Kida Kudz.

While Twi rapping artists dominated the hiplife music industry, very few artists were successfully making music in other local dialects. Tinny — a rapper who raps in Ga, a language spoken by the people of Accra —  rose to the occasion with both rap and fashion. Another product of Hammer’s Last Two record label, Tinny had an unmatched aura that earned him the moniker "Sexy Man Tinny." Early aughts albums such as Makola Kwakwe, Aletse (Akwe Polo), and Kaa Bu Ame still echo in today’s industry. His later works with record producer Richie Mensah on singles like "Ringtone" and "Now I Know" further entrenched his name in Ghana’s hiplife history.

Tinny’s will to pursue rap music in Ga laid the foundation for artists such as Edem , who raps predominantly in Ewe and to a degree music duo Blackstone who performed in Dagbani. Tinny also featured in the BET Hiphop Awards International Cypher (Ghana) alongside Reggie Rockstone, Sarkodie, D Black, Edem, Kwaku-T and Baby G (2010).

In a male-dominated industry, Mzbel created change that still reverberates today through the careers of women like Amaarae , Wendy Shay, Sister Afia and Gyakie . Following in the footsteps of those before her, like Abrewa Nana (a household name in the early 2000s for her role as one of the leading female artists in hiplife), Mzbel's singing and rap skills were not just catchy, but thought-provoking with themes of love, sex, body positivity, and addressing abuse.

Mzbel's non-conformity made her a target by some aspects of the industry . The general public who felt she was a bad influence on younger girls, due to the sensuality in her lyrics and imagery. Yet she was unphased. Mzbel scored national hits with her albums Awosome, and 2005's 16 Years , and touched on issues many regarded as controversial. The rapper stood up for women’s rights and encouraged women to be vocal about things society heavily criticizes women for. She ensured that women were not bullied into silence but instead express themselves fully through art. Her hit single "16 Years" with the late Castro touched on the issue of sexual harassment and abuse young girls face at the hands of older men and, as such, became a national topic.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2008, Sarkodie has churned out multiple hits year after year with a unique flow and delivery. His records touch on multiple subjects, including friendship, family, love, heartbreak, and bad governance. His hold over rap in Ghana has been extended across the continent, making him one of the most influential rappers in Africa.

In 2012, Sarkodie played a pivotal role in the amplification of azonto music (an offshoot of hiplife that melds dance music genre from the early 2010s with upbeat fast-paced sounds and witty comical lyrics) with his song " U Go Kill Me " with fellow rapper E.L. Winning "Artist Of The Decade at the" Ghana Music Awards (2019 ), cemented his influence and status.

Rapping predominantly in Twi, Sarkodie’s ability to find pockets on the beat has made him a frequent featured artist by the likes of Mr. Eazi , Ice Prince, Flavour, Victoria Kimani, Patoranking and a host of other important artists in Africa. Sarkodie won Best International Act: Africa (2012) and the inaugural Best International Flow at the BET Hiphop Awards in 2019.  

Asakaa Boys

In a time when hiplife had taken a back seat to Afrobeats and amapiano on the Ghanaian market, a group of artists from Kumasi (Kumerica) — a slang used to describe people of Kumasi who enthusiasts of American music and culture — burst onto the scene via asakaa, or Ghanaian drill. Inspired by Pop Smoke’s drill music, the sound reflects their lifestyle on the streets of Kumasi, hiplife elements, and American hip-hop culture such as fashion.

The name asakaa originates from the word saka , a flipped slang of the Twi word kasa , which means to speak. Saka , a style of speaking where words are pronounced backwards, was heard in the songs that were released by the Asakaa Boys. The asakaa sound is credited to the Kumasi-based Life Living Records, and signees Jay Bahd, Kawabanga, O’Kenneth, City Boy, Kwaku DMC, Reggie, Sean Lifer, Braa Benk and Skyface SDW under the moniker The Asakaa Boys .

With songs like " Akatafoc ", " Sore ," and "Agyeiwaa," and leading the charge, Asakaa (Ghanaian Drill) has gained recognition locally and internationally in the 2020s.

Black Sherif

Black Sherif may be young, but he has already charted a path of success for himself in Ghana’s music industry which many are yet to match. Black Sherif’s sound, writing, fashion, and mannerisms have earned him admiration. He first tasted popularity when his song "Money" went viral in 2019; two years later he regained public attention in 2021 with his First and Second Sermon songs and after a Burna Boy cosign on " Second Sermon Remix, " Black Sherif's popularity soared.

The artist has gone on to deliver multiple hit songs such as "Kweku The Traveller," "Soja," and a monstrous guest verse on Odumodu Blvck’s "Wotowoto Seasoning." In 2023 he won Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards and a BET Awards Best International Award . Additionally, he has performed on global stages at MOBO Awards , Wireless Festival, and 2023's AfroNation.

King Paluta

With a charisma like that of Lord Kenya, King Paluta is an energetic rapper with some "thugness" in his delivery influenced by life on the streets of Kumasi. As a young man, he often slept in the studio, where he learned how to operate the equipment in the studio and dropped his first official single in 2015. 

Despite releasing music and being popular in Kumasi, he would only gain national attention in 2023 for " Yahitte ," which earned him the award as the Best New Artist at The Ghana Music Awards in 2024 . In the 2024 alone, he has scored two charting-topping singles, " Aseda " and "Makoma," making him arguably the hottest artist in Ghana.

As a student of hiplife, King Paluta has fully embodied the genre as evident in his music. He has positioned himself to carry on the legacy of those before him as far as hiplife is concerned, and he is on track thus far.

Photo:   Getty Images/John Atashian

On This Day In Music: Woodstock '94 Begins In Upstate New York

Held 30 years ago Aug. 12-14, Woodstock '94 featured an eclectic (and muddy) lineup that launched Nine Inch Nails, Green Day and others into the limelight.

Woodstock '94 is no middle child music festival. While not as groundbreaking as Woodstock '69 or as infamous as Woodstock '99, Woodstock '94 boasts a unique legacy that deserves recognition.

Held Aug. 12-14 in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties, New York, Woodstock '94 was set to commemorate the silver anniversary of the original Woodstock festival in 1969. Nodding to its origins in '69, Woodstock '94 was billed as "2 More Days of Peace and Music" (a third day of the festival was eventually added).  

Woodstock '94 featured a wide range of acts that both reflected the nostalgia of Woodstock '69 and highlighted a myriad of new groups. Original Woodstock performers such as Crosby, Stills & Nash (minus Neil Young) and Santana topped the bill, and now-household names including Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers performed some of their earliest festival sets.

Even Bob Dylan , who initially declined an appearance at Woodstock '69 despite living near the festival at the time, had a change of heart and agreed to play at Woodstock '94.

It seemed that everyone wanted to capture a sliver of the magic from the original Woodstock. Although roughly 164,000 tickets were sold, the actual number of attendees exceeded 350,000 (surpassing even Coachella 2024's attendance rates).  

Spirits were high as the festival opened on Friday with dry, sunny skies highlighting performances from Sheryl Crow , Collective Soul, and others. By the weekend, the weather took a turn and transformed the festival grounds at Winston Farm in Saugerties into a giant muddy puddle. Although Woodstock '69 was also rainy and mud-filled, the madness that ensued at Woodstock '94 led it to be dubbed " Mudstock ."

As Primus performed "My Name Is Mud" on Saturday, festival-goers seized the opportunity to fling the wet dirt at the band on stage.  

"Once I started singing the words to "My Name Is Mud," all of a sudden huge chunks of sod started flying my way and it was pretty frightening," Primus' lead singer told Billboard 20 years later. "I still have those [speaker] cabinets to this day, and those cabinets still have mud in them."

With high energy from Friday's acts and some mud-induced chaos, attendees were buzzing with anticipation and excitement for the rest of the weekend. The party atmosphere continued throughout day two — and not solely because Blind Melon lead vocalist Shannon Hoon strolled on stage tripping on acid, wearing his girlfriend's dress.

Aerosmith may have been day two headliners, but Nine Inch Nails ' 15-song set remains a highlight of Woodstock '94. The band drew the biggest crowd of the festival, and were catapulted into wider mainstream visibility. Taking advantage of the unpredictable weather, then-bassist Danny Lohner pushed lead vocalist Trent Reznor into the mud, prompting Reznor to retaliate. The other members of the band soon joined in on the fun, strutting onto the stage covered in mud.  

Opening with Pretty Hate Machine 's "Terrible Lie," NIN turned the massive audience into a giant mosh pit and maintained that high energy until the end of the set. While the band faced technological difficulties onstage, it only seemed to enhance their raw, gritty image.

The set was so celebrated that it is forever memorialized in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame , with art installations featuring a life-sized mannequin replica of Reznor singing into the microphone and his keyboard, both covered in mud.

By day three, Woodstock '94 was clearly becoming an iconic music festival that would be discussed for years to come. If Saturday's mud-slinging electric performances weren't enough, the final day of the festival featured performances from Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, Santana, and others.  

When Green Day — fresh off the success of their third studio album Dookie — took the stage, all hell broke loose. While the band was and continues to be known for their rowdy live sets, their performance at Woodstock '94 remains unmatched.  

By the time Green Day started performing, the fairgrounds had turned into a full-blown mud fight. The band tried to push through the performance and embrace the chaos, but the set came to an abrupt stop when lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong told the crowd, "Everybody say shut the f— up and we’ll stop playing." When the crowd shouted the phrase back, Armstrong said goodbye on behalf of the band, and the rest of the group fled the stage.

By the end of the performance, lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong had lost his pants and the band had to be escorted out of the festival grounds by a helicopter. On their way off the stage, security confused mud-covered bassist Mike Dirnt for a crazed fan and tackled him, leaving him with five fewer teeth than he started the set with.  

"He actually sheared my teeth, and I blew like five teeth. Only one of them died. I fixed the rest of them, but he all sheared up the back of my teeth," Dirnt confessed to The Aquarian in 2013. "It was horrible. But the great thing about it is that I was able to get out of there, and I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to."  

Peter Gabriel closed out the weekend by remaining true to the original mission of the festival, offering fans peace filled with good vibes. Gabriel's music, though deeply contrasting with the hard rock and punk acts that dominated the festival, provided a flawless end to the chaos that had unfolded over the past three days.

While the 1994 installment of Woodstock hasn't basked in the same spotlight as its 1969 and 1999 siblings — the latter of which has been the subject of two documentaries in as many years — it remains far from forgotten.

Woodstock '94 stands as one of the legendary music festivals of all time. Although the rain may have soaked the grounds, turning it into a muddy catastrophe, it also nourished the roots of some of the most iconic musical acts and sent them into the mainstream media. The festival was more than just a series of performances, but rather a unique cultural event.

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7 Stellar Sets From Lollapalooza 2024: Megan Thee Stallion, Future x Metro Boomin & More

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10 Must-See Acts At Lollapalooza 2024: Tyla, SiR, Stray Kids, Dominic Fike & More

Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage

While Chappell Roan may have made headlines with her massive audiences, Lollapalooza 2024 was a bevy of artistic excellence. From Benson Boone's backflips to a cameo from Carmen DeLeon's dad, read on for memorable moments from the annual Chicago fest.

This year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago may have been a particularly humid one, but that didn’t deter perspiring attendees from making the most of the four-day event. Held Aug. 1-4, the international festival’s flagship midwest iteration showcased a variety of talent — both revered and rising.

Among Lolla 2024's highlights, Chappell Roan drew an expectedly enormous crowd to Grant Park on Thursday, while GRAMMY winner Tyla captivated audiences with a lighthearted and entertaining anglicism. Friday offered a diversity of artists, from K-pop boy group Stray Kids, to electronic vet Zedd and GRAMMY-winning Icelandic jazz singer Laufey , who performed with the Chicago Philharmonic. J-pop stars YOASOBI and the Killers closed the festival on Saturday, and Blink-182 brought their ‘90s humor and hits to the main stage on Sunday.

Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell was onhand in a rare sighting to partake in the weekend’s festivities, which in addition to various stages featured Toyota Music Den’s retro summer camp vibes, Coke Studio’s roller rink, House of Dunkin’s newly renovated setup and Kidzapalooza for the festival’s youngest attendees.

Though thunderstorms threatened throughout the weekend, it only materialized as light rain and was a welcome reprieve from the balmy temperatures. As Lollapalooza attendees recuperate from one of the summer's biggest parties, relive seven of the most exhilarating sets from Lollapalooza 2024.

Kesha Boldly Embraces Theatrics & Politics

Kesha has never been someone to shy away from controversy, and the GRAMMY-nominated singer made some interesting choices during her Lolla set on Thursday . The singer delivered some of her biggest hits — from "Cannibal" and "Die Young," to "Take It Off," and "Your Love Is My Drug" — in front of her most loyal fans at Lolla. While performing "Backstabber" from 2010's Animal , Kesha and her scantily-clad male dancers doused themselves in fake blood while the star herself brandished a knife as a prop. Kesha later revealed on X that the knife shockingly turned out to be real.

In addition to her theatrical dramatics, Kesha also played a clip of Vice President Kamala Harris saying "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?" as she began "Blow" (Kesha brought out a marching band for the song as well).   "Women do run this country," Kesha told the crowd, proudly standing in her power.

When she wasn’t waving pride flags and encouraging onlookers to "support local drag , Kesha paused to thank her fans for "standing by me through the hardest time of my entire life."

Read more: Kesha Reveals The 10 Most Important Songs Of Her Career, From "Tik Tok" To "Eat The Acid"

Megan Thee Stallion Got The Hotties In Formation

Three-time GRAMMY winner Megan Thee Stallion was tapped by the festival as one of the headliner’s after Tyler, The Creator pulled out of his slot earlier this year. The rapper, however, proved she was no "second best."

Fresh off of her performance at Vice President Kamala Harris’ Atlanta campaign rally, Megan Thee Stallion feverishly got her fans in formation with a spectacular performance. Donning a sexy, sequined pink ensemble, the Houston rapper plowed through a bevy of hits including: "Freak Nasty," "Cobra," "Big Ole Freak," " Mamushi " and "WAP."

She also addressed haters who were upset about her supporting Harris last month. "They was fake mad that I was popping it for Kamala. I don’t think they heard what she said," Meg explained . "Kamala said she wants a ceasefire. Kamala said she supports women’s rights. Kamala said y’all tired of high gas prices. Kamala said ‘I’m for the people.’" She shouted out "Hotties for Harris" before being surprised by Chicago Sky star Angel Reese onstage who took a selfie with the "Savage" artist.

Read more: 6 Takeaways From Megan Thee Stallion's 'Megan': Snakes, Shots & Self-Assurance

Deftones Appeased Every Metalhead In Attendance

Deftones — the GRAMMY-winning rock facet from Sacramento, California — have For spent three decades perfecting their gnarly guitar riffs, airy vocals and thunderous percussion. Their most recent project, 2020's Ohms , served as a sauntering exploration of frontman Chino Moreno ’s inner workings. This energy was on full display at Lollapalooza 2024.

The band’s electrifying energy was gleefully absorbed by the crowd, who moshed through heavier tracks such as "Lotion" and " My Own Summer (Shove It)." The audience was slightly more still but visibly bubbling over for slower, more sensual tunes like "Digital Bath" and "Change (In The House of Flies)."

Moreno — who said onstage he chipped his tooth during "Needles and Pins," from the band's self-titled 2003 LP — proved his performer prowess again and again. Even beyond the T-Mobile, Lolla attendees could feel the infectiousness of Deftones’ stellar set.

Learn more: 5 Essential Nu-Metal Albums: How Slipknot, Korn, Deftones & Others Showcased Adolescent Rage With A Dramatic Flair

Future x Metro Boomin Injected More Energy Into An Already Lively Crowd

Despite being 45 minutes late to their headlining set on Saturday, Future and Metro Boomin delivered a vigorous performance that celebrated their collaborative albums We Don’t Trust You (released in March) and We Still Don’t Trust You (which dropped a month later).

The pair ferociously fed off of each other’s energy, while simultaneously injecting that same enthusiasm into the crowd. From "Luv Bad Bitches" to "Type S—," "F— Up Some Commas" to "Low Life," there were no shortage of hits to feed the insatiable musical appetite of the packed crowd at the Bud Light stage.

Fans eagerly threw up two fingers in honor of Future's Dirty Sprite 2 , per instructions from the duo, and Future x Metro Boomin Young Thug when "Relationship" played. "Like That" lost its potency when it was started for a second time as an attempt to reinvigorate the audience — but remained a thrilling track from beginning to end. The chemistry between Future x Metro Boomin was off the charts and seamlessly translated onstage.

Read more: Metro Boomin's Essential Songs: 10 Must-Know Tracks, From "Creepin" To "Like That"

SiR Savors "Summer" With Sensual R&B Set

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The Inglewood, California-based R&B singer used his time at Lollapalooza to reconnect with a city he hasn't performed in for nearly five years. On Sunday, the R&B crooner glided through his discography, performing "Karma" (from his March 2024 album Heavy ) to "John Redcorn" — a track from his 2020 release Chasing Summer.

SiR , who was dripping in sweat from the intense Chicago heat, slowed things down a bit to celebrate his collaborators. First, he gleefully welcomed singer Zacari for "Mood" followed by his brother Davion Farris for "The Recipe." SiR’s bravado shined brightly on "Hair Down" where he felt his most confident, his most rambunctious, his most seen. He appeased fans’ requests for " D’Evils " and got emotional when reflecting on his struggles.

SiR has been candid about his journey to sobriety — a major theme on Heavy — and thanked his fans for their support throughout his set. When SiR performed "Life Is Good," he reminded attendees that nothing is sweeter than a well-earned victory lap.

Read more: On 'Heavy,' SiR Wants People To See The Weight Of His Humanity

Carmen DeLeon Basked In Being A Total Ray Of Sunshine

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The 23-year-old Venezuelan singer smiled from ear to ear as she enthusiastically gave her all during a short but powerful performance on Sunday at the BMI stage. She kicked off things with two of her most notable tracks: 2022’s "Mala Memoria" and "Mariposas" (which was released the year prior).  DeLeon was effervescent during "Wonderful," with its catchy chorus being as bright and brilliant as she was.

DeLeon became visibly emotional while paying  homage to Lady Gaga and her BMI stage legacy by covering "Always Remember Us This Way" from the A Star is Born soundtrack. She attached her native flag to the mic stand and emphasized the importance of speaking up against injustice, which hit especially close to home for her given the unrest following recent elections in Venezuela.

DeLeon quickly switched gears and tackled the complex nature of love with "El Vecino." Though the singer is longing to be noticed on the track, its live rendition feels more empowering than dejected. One of the show’s most heartwarming moments came when the singer brought her clearly proud dad onstage.

Benson Boone Backflipped His Way Into The Hearts Of Fans

Moments after viral TikTok sensation Benson Boone took the stage at Lolla, he shared that this was the first U.S. music festival he has ever performed at. The former "American Idol" contestant used his performance on the IHG Resorts & Resorts stage to sing — and backflip — his way into the hearts of fans.

Boone's performance ranged in both sound and emotion. The singer basked in the sweetness of " Coffee Cake" from his 2023 album PULSE , then dug deeper with a formidable performance of "What Was." Before going into "My Greatest Fear," the singer shared that he is terrified of being alone and was devastated by the passing of his grandmother.

He used "Friend" as a springboard to talk about the importance of camaraderie and, before launching into "Beautiful Things," shared amazement at how one song dramatically changed his life.

Read more: Benson Boone Declares "Beautiful Things" Is No Fluke: "I've Tapped Into How I'll Write For The Rest Of My Life"

Photo: Shoakland

Victony's debut album, 'Stubborn,' is just months old, but the young Afrobeats star is rising fast. Ahead of his first headlining U.S. tour, Victony detailed the creative process behind his new album and his predictions for the next year in Afrobeats.

To say that the past year has been an eventful one in the dynamic world of Afrobeats would be, at best, a gross understatement. The genre's list of global accolades has continued to swell in size, including multiple nominations at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards , expansive cross-border collaborations, and inaugural appearances on some of the world’s most coveted stages.

Simultaneously, Afrobeats has been undergoing something of an identity crisis, in which listeners have criticized sonic monotony and Western pandering of some artists. In the immediate wake of this criticism, as though on cue, came a slew of forward-thinking projects from the genre’s biggest stars, igniting the mainstream scene’s creative progression. Among these stars is 23-year-old Afrobeats sensation Anthony Ebuka Victor, known widely as Victony .

His debut album, Stubborn , is barely two months old yet has already received high acclaim from top Afrobeats pundits and laymen alike. Therein, Victony tells his life story for the first time, complete with vivid songwriting that delves into themes of childhood, romance, and dogged resilience. With features from Nigeria’s Asake and Shallipopi , as well as American acts Teezo Touchdown and Saint JHN, Stubborn 's sonic meter explores Afrobeats with unending - and unmatched - innovation.

Victony , however, is no novice when it comes to putting out pristine bodies of work. His 2020 EP Saturn sounded nothing like a 19-year-old’s debut; singles “Jo Riddim” and “Space and Time” revealed serious sonic maturity. His subsequent EP Outlaw, which followed his breakout as the feature on Mayorkun’s “Holy Father,” included addictive hits “Apollo,” “Jolene,” and “Soweto.” The latter, of course, took the world by storm and led to a remix featuring Don Toliver and Rema, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Afrobeats chart.

Between this, his debut on the ColorsxStudios platform, his assist on Burna Boy ’s “Different Size,” and his record deal with the L.A.-based Encore Records, it is difficult to tell just when this young boy from Ojo, Lagos became a continental and global star. What’s more, he’s soon to push his story outside of Nigerian borders, kicking off his Stubborn North American tour on Aug. 6.  

Ahead of this tour, Victony sat down with GRAMMY.com to discuss his creative process, the importance of telling his story, and all things Stubborn .

'Stubborn' features excellent songwriting about your life experiences, though it's not the first time you've done so. What makes 'Stubborn' different from the other work in your discography?

Stubborn has my story; it’s where I get to properly introduce myself. The [ Outlaw ] EP is like Yeah, this guy can sing, he knows all this Afrobeats stuff. Let’s put a good body of work together for people to enjoy . The Stubborn album is saying, This is Victony . This is where he’s from. This is what he’s about .

You’ve mentioned before that veteran Nigerian rapper Olamide encouraged you to make 'Stubborn' a full-length album as opposed to an EP. Had you been ready for an era shift at the time that you spoke to him?

I was prepared for an era shift, but my mind was just stuck on an EP because that was the plan since last year. Sometimes, you can’t even see what everything looks like when you’re really in it. You have to extract yourself from the situation and really look at it. But speaking to Olamide, once he mentioned the album, it felt possible. I was like, Why am I not even thinking about an album?  

'Stubborn' is an incredible testament to resilience, but you also explore other themes like love and betrayal. What is the overarching message that you wanted the project to convey?

Resilience is the boldest statement that the project has. But within all that, there are other things that I’ve been through, like the stuff that you mentioned, that didn’t change me as a person.

I still have the ability to love, and I still have the ability to receive love. So obviously, that reflected in a few songs on the project because I still go through those emotions. I’m still human regardless of everything I've been through.

Your feature list is quite expansive — we have Shorae Moore, Shallipoppi , Saint JHN, Teezo Touchdown, and Asake . Did you have an idea of who you wanted on the project beforehand, or was your feature selection process more organic?

I’m always curious to see what this and this will sound like, or what doing this and this will look like. So I just make songs and think about who will be perfect on those songs. I didn’t think of it as, I want an album, who are the guest features?  

One thing that the features all have is authenticity. These people have a voice, they have a style, they have something that they stand for. And that is something that Stubborn is also preaching — authenticity. So collaborating with these people helped to bring very interesting ideas to life. Because one wouldn’t ordinarily imagine a Victony and Asake feature, or a Victony and Teezo feature. But when somebody who is authentic collaborates with somebody who is authentic, something has to happen. We were just trying to create something, and I love creating.  

Learn more: Meet The Latest Wave Of Rising Afrobeats Stars: AMAARAE, BNXN, Oladapo & More

You have a U.S. tour coming up which is extremely exciting. You’ve toured with Rema before, but this will be your first-ever solo tour. How are you feeling?  

I’m actually very excited. We’ve been planning what we want the tour to feel like, because it’s important to think about the feeling that you want to leave people with. I think that this tour is the biggest opportunity to showcase what the album is really about. Having to go on stage, perform for an hour plus. I don’t think I've ever done that nine times in a row in nine cities. So we’re planning everything to make that all come to life.

What do you want your U.S. audience to take away from your tour?

I want my U.S. audience to feel the essence of my journey and connect with my music. This tour is a journey through my experiences and my evolution as an artist. You'll get the party anthems as well as the soul-stirring ballads. I want them to leave each show thinking, This is what that Victony guy is about: raw talent, authenticity, and a sound that resonates deeply .

Give us your Afrobeats predictions for the year — what should we expect from the scene?

I just feel like it’s about to be a madhouse. Tems just dropped, Ayra Starr just dropped, Ruger & BNXN just dropped. And Wizkid is yet to drop, Davido is yet to drop, Fireboy DML is yet to drop. I don’t think we’ve had a year like this. Ever. It’s like everybody is dropping a project this year.

Read more: Tems On How 'Born In The Wild' Represents Her Story Of "Survival" & Embracing Every Part Of Herself

My prediction is that this is the start of something for Afrobeats . Before now, what people would tell you is that Afrobeats artists all share one fanbase. But everything is about to change because of the volume of music coming out. It’s going to really push structure with the fans.

Looking back from your debut EP to the present day, what comes to mind? Did you foresee yourself becoming what you are now?

I always knew that everything that’s currently happening would happen. I just didn’t know what was going to make it happen. I didn’t know that this was the direction. It’s been interesting because at one point, you just have life experiences that influence your art, and then the direction changes. That’s what it’s been for me because I like my art to reflect who I am at any given time.

So, who knows what’s going to happen next? After Saturn , I didn't foresee my story changing. And now new experiences have come, and those have also changed me. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but one thing’s for sure, the journey is just beginning. I’m excited to see where this path leads and to continue sharing my story with the world.

• 1 8 Can't-Miss Acts At Afro Nation Detroit 2024: Shenseea, Ayra Starr, Kizz Daniel & More
• 2 10 Artists Essential To Ghanaian Hiplife: Reggie Rockstone, Sarkodie, Mzbel & More
• 3 On This Day In Music: Woodstock '94 Begins In Upstate New York
• 4 7 Stellar Sets From Lollapalooza 2024: Megan Thee Stallion, Future x Metro Boomin & More
• 5 Meet Victony: The Afrobeats Sensation Sharing Importance Of Being 'Stubborn'