The return of Dia De Los Deftones set records in San Diego and saw the Sacramento unit shine as one of rock music’s most forward-thinking practitioners.
In what has become a tradition since it’s inaugural gathering in 2018, the Deftones-helmed Dia De Los Deftones festival that coincides with the Day of the Dead festivities continued to secure it’s roots in San Diego, CA. over the weekend. Assembling a roster of musical diversity, the performances, all curated by Deftones, underscored the continued versatility of the band that has enlisted the likes of Future, Doja Cat, Gojira, Youth Code and Brutus in previous years.
Follow a pause in programming due to the pandemic, the congregation’s resurfacing tradition reconvened at Gallagher Square at Petco Park with Deftones sit atop a line up that included hardcore standouts Turnstile, electro pop juggernaut Phantogram, hip hop outlier Freddie Gibbs, as well as Audrey Nuna, Destroy Boys, Provoker, and Cold Gawd.
Ahead of the Southern California showcase, Deftones’ frontman Chino Moreno expressed the kind of pride the band takes in spearheading the creative direction of the event. “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.”
While Deftones continue to trek in support of their lauded 2020 effort Ohms, including the live debut of tracks like “Error” and “Ceremony” during their stage time, the band’s Dia De Los… setlist included a few surprises with the band’s most devoted followers in mind. Deftones performed beloved b-sides like “976-Evil” from the band’s Diamond Eyes record – a track not performed in more than a decade. Going back to their celebrated debut in Adrenaline, the band played “Minus Blindfold” for the first time in years and gems like “Needles and Pins” from their 2003 self-titled album, ensuring a set that resonated with recent converts and core fans alike.
Check the complete gallery of images from the record-breaking Dia De Los Deftones 2022 edition below with images from Knotfest contributors Maurice Nunez and Shaun Vaughn.
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