I Won't Stop Following You

There’s a moment in every teenager’s life when music stops being background noise and starts becoming a lifeline. When lyrics seem to echo your inner monologue, and a guitar riff mirrors the angst humming just under your skin (looking back now, I ask myself what I was so angry about lol). That moment arrived the first time I heard music from bands like Korn, Slipknot, and of course, Deftones. When White Pony dropped in 2000, it wasn’t just an album but a revelation. I was deep in my nu metal phase. Although it wasn't really a phase. I’m still listening to the same bands 25 years later lol. Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot—they were all in heavy rotation. But Deftones were different. They weren’t just aggressive; they were atmospheric. There was something sensual and ethereal in their chaos, especially on White Pony.

You’d get lost in Chino Moreno’s vocals. His voice drifting in and out of my headphones, seducing, whispering, intensifying with Stephen Carpenter’s down-tuned guitars and Abe Cunningham’s fluid drumming. Songs like “Change (In the House of Flies)” and “Teenager” didn’t just speak to what I was feeling—they gave it shape. That nuance helped shape how I understood emotional expression—not just in music, but in myself. Looking back, it’s wild to think how much a band can embed itself into your identity. Deftones weren’t just part of my teenage years—they were those years. They were the soundtrack to that unshakable sense of feeling out of place. And even now, when I listen to White Pony, I’m instantly transported. The album still sounds fresh, still hits hard, and somehow, still feels like home.

The last time I saw Deftones live was at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing in Philly back in 2016. It was one of those perfect summer nights—cool breeze rolling off the river and the electric buzz of the crowd. They were touring with Refused, and the moment Chino stepped on stage and the band launched into their set, it felt like time folded in on itself. It’s wild to think that was nearly a decade ago. Since then, catching them live has felt like chasing a ghost. I had tickets for The Met Philadelphia in 2020, but then the pandemic hit, and it was postponed like so many other plans. The rescheduled show in Philly came and went, but life happened, and I couldn’t make it. When I looked into NYC tickets, Pier 17 was sold out. There’s a strange ache that comes with missing one of your favorite bands live. And maybe that’s what makes those old shows so special in hindsight. Festival Pier isn’t even there anymore, but that night is burned into me. But I still wouldn’t be satisfied until I was standing among the crowd, feeling the bass in my chest and whispering Deftones lyrics to myself into the night yet again.

The band finally announced a North American tour last fall for 2025 with a rumored new album possibly in the works. I was elated as I’ve been waiting and dying for a Deftones tour (as you just read lol). Unfortunately, the tour dates fell on one of my busiest weeks at work. It always seems to be that way—there can’t be joy without a little pain. I had to wake up at 7am every day that week, juggling work deadlines with both Poppy and Deftones concerts on the calendar. Although 7am isn’t too bad, it feels terrible for me. On the concert day, I met my final deadline by noon and snuck in a nap to recharge. Thankfully, I could log off at 5pm since my other commitments depended on others completing their tasks first. I only took an hour to prepare before we left for Madison Square Garden, arriving much earlier than anticipated. We caught the tail end of Fleshwater. I don't know much about them, but their sound was quite chaotic. Next up was Mars Volta, who sounded very different from what I expected—a blend of experimental progressive rock, and world music influences with complex instrumentatial and high-pitched vocals. Honestly, they weren’t really my vibe. 

Finally, Deftones! I’m super proud of how far they’ve come in their music journey. It was my first time seeing them perform at a prominent place like Madison Square Garden since they usually play more mid-size venues. And it was sold out! The band sounded amazing, with every note hitting hard, and Chino Moreno brought so much high energy that the crowd was buzzing. His charisma and stage presence made the show unforgettable. I really love this band and how they’ve evolved over the years. But I do wish they had played some of my favorite Deftones tracks, the songs I listen to obsessively on repeat. Am I just into the more niche Deftones songs?

It’s been over 25 years since White Pony dropped, and somehow, Deftones still feel ahead of their time. The album’s raw aggression, dreamy textures, and emotional nuance has aged like wine. What’s wild is watching younger generations rediscover the band, not through burned CDs or late-night MTV videos like old ass did, but on TikTok. Apparently the kids are really into Saturday Night Wrist, which seems to surprise some older fans. I'm not though because the album gave us “Beware,” “Cherry Waves,” “Kimdracula,” and “Xerces.” These are the songs I'm talking about when I say I want to hear my favorite tracks live. More iconic Deftones songs like “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” and “Change (In the House of Flies)” are gaining new life. Their influence is everywhere. You can hear their fingerprints in newer bands like Loathe and Sleep Token. These days, it seems that many bands have at least one song that resembles the sound of Deftones.

For all the years gone by since I first heard them as a teenager, and all the shows I’ve attended, one thing hasn’t changed: they're still one of my favorite bands. I still lay in bed and attach myself to a Deftones song, floating off to the ether. And now seeing a new generation discover them, fall in love, and carry that torch forward—it makes the wait for the next live show a little more bearable because the band still lives on and is as relevant as they were when they began all those decades ago. Deftones is forever.

Setlist:
1. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
2. My Own Summer (Shove It)
3. Diamond Eyes
4. Tempest
5. Swerve City
6. Feiticeira
7. Digital Bath
8. Prayers/Triangles
9. You’ve Seen the Butcher
10. Rocket Skates
11. Sextape
12. Around the Fur
13. Headup
14. Rosemary
15. Hole in the Earth
16. Change (In the House of Flies)
17. Genesis

Encore:
18. Minerva
19. Bored
20. 7 Words