Deftones Return To Chicago For An Energetic Night At United Center

Apr 01, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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By Harrison Kristoff,

​On Sunday night, Deftones took to the stage at Chicago’s massive indoor venue, United Center, for a performance that blended their rich legacy with cutting-edge stage design and jaw-dropping musical energy. The show was a pivotal stop on their 2025 North American tour, following the release of their most recent album Ohms and their steady presence in the touring scene since the late ’90s.

The stage design for Deftones’ Chicago show was a work of art in itself. As one of the largest venues on their tour, the United Center posed a unique challenge for maintaining intimacy and connection with the audience. However, Deftones handled this with a minimalist yet immersive stage setup. The backdrop featured a large, backlit screen that subtly shifted between abstract visuals and thematic imagery, setting the mood for the band’s atmospheric soundscapes. The center stage was open, allowing for fluid movement and an engaging connection between the band and the crowd. The lighting was often dynamic, shifting from dark, moody blues to blinding whites, rising red suns and flashing rays, matching the tone of each song, and elevating the emotional intensity of the performance. It was a perfect balance of simplicity and complexity, giving the music the spotlight while still visually stimulating the audience.

Deftones have long been known for their relentless touring schedule, which has only increased since they first broke into the alternative metal scene in the late ’80s. Since their formation in Sacramento, California, the band has toured the world countless times, consistently drawing large crowds and gaining a reputation for their mesmerizing live performances. Their previous tours, especially the Diamond Eyes (2010) and Gore (2016) cycles, helped solidify them as one of the most consistently innovative bands in modern rock. The 2025 North American tour is their first major headline run since 2022, and this time around, the band is playing in front of even larger audiences, including multiple sold-out shows at venues like the United Center. Deftones’ tours have always been a blend of old favorites and new material, and this show was no exception.

As expected from a band with such a vast discography, the setlist for the Chicago show was a perfect mix of their heavy, aggressive tracks and their more atmospheric, introspective moments. Opening with the classic “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” from Around the Fur, the crowd was immediately swept up in the powerful wave of sound. A mosh pit quickly grew in the center of the arena. From there, the band seamlessly transitioned through hits like “My Own Summer (Shove It)” and “Diamond Eyes,” each song receiving an ecstatic response from the crowd with most songs being sung along with.

The setlist also showcased several songs from their latest album Ohms, such as ending the main set with “Genesis” which sounded fresh and vibrant in the live setting, proving that the band’s evolution is always in motion. A few surprises were thrown in as well, with “Hole in the Earth” making a rare appearance, much to the delight of long-time fans who hadn’t heard it live in years. Other highlights included fan favorites like “Change (In the House of Flies)” and “Swerve City.”

A particularly unique moment during the show was when frontman Chino Moreno addressed the crowd between songs. As he explained, Deftones had always felt like part of the Chicago music scene since their early tours, and the city held a special place in their hearts. His words resonated with the audience, creating a feeling of shared history and nostalgia that added an emotional layer to the already powerful performance. Moreno (51) still jumps around like a wild cat, pouncing off stage monitors and rigging. Seems that his skateboarding days have help keep him agile and limber.

In a moment that left many fans in awe, during “Digital Bath,” Chino invited the crowd to sing along louder than ever before, creating a rare moment of unity between band and audience. It was a brief but poignant moment, highlighting how the band’s music continues to forge connections, both personal and collective.

The band also threw in a bit of improvisation during “Change (In the House of Flies),” extending the outro and creating a mesmerizing, ambient atmosphere before transitioning into the next song. It’s moments like these that show how Deftones aren’t just playing through a set—they’re in a constant state of exploration, feeding off the energy of their fans. They being their encore with a song that makes its tour debut, “Cherry Waves” before wrapping it up with fan favorites, “Bored” and “7 Words”. Two songs that still bring shivers down your spine with you hear them live and they get boosted even more when 20,000 other fans join in.

Deftones’ performance at the United Center was an unforgettable spectacle that combined the intensity of their music with the artistry of their stage production. It was clear from the opening notes that this band, despite over 30 years of touring and recording, has not lost an ounce of passion or energy. The setlist, the stage design, and the raw emotion of the performance all came together to create a night that was both a celebration of Deftones’ legacy and a thrilling preview of what’s to come. This show was a testament to why Deftones remain at the forefront of modern rock music—always evolving, always engaging, and never settling for less than the best.

For more on Deftones, click here

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• 2025, Chicago, Chino Moreno, concert review, Deftones, In The Loop Magazine, live on tour, Sacramento, United Center

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