Buffalo’s KeyBank Center was buzzing with anticipation on Monday, September 1 as fans filed in for the long-awaited return of Deftones. The California heavyweights have built a reputation for delivering one of the most dynamic live shows in modern rock, and their Buffalo stop was no exception. Mixing crushing heaviness with ethereal beauty. Deftones gave the packed arena a set that stretched across their career while proving that, even after decades together, they remain as vital as ever.
The lineup remains as powerful as ever: Chino Moreno on vocals and guitar, Stephen Carpenter on guitar, Sergio Vegaon bass, Frank Delgado on keyboards and samples, and Abe Cunningham on drums. Together, they created a performance in Buffalo that was as crushing as it was transcendent, proving why Deftones are one of the most enduring and important live acts in heavy music today.
The night kicked off with The Barbarians of California, a rising act whose riff heavy attack immediately grabbed attention. Their raw energy and swagger gave early arrivals a jolt, setting the tone for what was to come.
Phantogram followed with a hypnotic set that was as stylish as it was sonically mesmerizing. Their blend of electronics, beats, and airy vocals provided a striking contrast to the heaviness of the evening, drawing the crowd into a different world before Deftones took over. Lot of heavy red saturated lights and stobes made it hard to see the band at times. This writer was seeing spots well into the night.
As the lights dimmed and the opening notes of “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” echoed through the arena, the atmosphere inside KeyBank Center shifted. Frontman Chino Moreno appeared in his signature black attire, commanding the stage with his unmistakable voice. One moment whispering, the next unleashing a guttural scream. Without a pause, the band ripped into “My Own Summer (Shove It)”, sending the pit into motion and pulling the rest of the arena to its feet.
From there, the setlist unfolded like a guided tour through the Deftones’ catalog. Fans were treated to the shimmering moodiness of “Digital Bath” and “Sextape”, while the punishing grooves of “Rocket Skates” and “Swerve City” kept the energy surging. “Around the Fur” and “Headup” reminded longtime fans of the band’s aggressive roots, while “Entombed” and “Cherry Waves” showcased their ability to strip things down and create something hauntingly beautiful.
The stage design leaned into minimalism, with moody lighting and heavy use of reds, blues, and purples to amplify the shifting moods of each song. At times, the band was shrouded in haze, silhouettes against beams of light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with Abe Cunningham’s drumming. The audience was a mix of longtime fans who have followed Deftones since the late ’90s and younger newcomers eager to experience their intensity live. By the time the encore rolled out with “Engine No. 9” and the furious closer “7 Words”, the arena was a sea of movement and catharsis, with thousands screaming along word for word.
For Buffalo fans, it was a night that felt both nostalgic and fresh, a reminder of how Deftones continue to evolve while never abandoning the raw spirit that made them legends. The band delivered a set that included “Diamond Eyes”, “Tempest”, “Hole in the Earth”, “Change (In the House of Flies)”, “Genesis”, and newer cuts like “My Mind is a Mountain”, “Infinite Source”, and “Milk of the Madonna”. It was a journey through sound and emotion that left the crowd both exhausted and exhilarated.
The tour continues throughout the fall, with stops in Cleveland on September 10th, Baltimore on September 11th, and St. Louis on September 13th before heading west to Denver and Kansas City. Deftones will also hit major festivals including Shaky Knees in Atlanta on September 19th, Louder Than Life in Louisville on September 20th, and Aftershock in Sacramento on October 3rd. They’ll close the run with their signature event, Dia De Los Deftones, at Petco Park in San Diego on November 1st.
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