Deftones / System of a Down, photos by Raymond Ahner
When tickets went on sale for System of Down and Deftones ’ one-off co-headlining show at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, the event sold out within an hour. Another Planet Entertainment, which promoted the event, announced that 90% of the 50,000-plus tickets sold came from people who were traveling into San Francisco to watch not only the two headliners, but also The Mars Volta, Viagra Boys, and VOWWS.
On Saturday (August 17th), the big day finally came, and fans packed the west end of the park to witness the stellar lineup of bands on a typical gray and foggy San Francisco summer day.
Opening the show were VOWWS, the L.A. based “death pop” band who, despite only having a 30-minute set, made the most of their time and brought the fans who were still filing in to the front of the stage.
Next up were Swedish satirical punks Viagra Boys, who put on one of the most entertaining sets of the day. Every fan in the front row had a smile on their face, as frontman Sebastian Murphy led the band through songs like “Slow Learner,” “Punk Rock Loser,” and “Research Chemicals.” They were the perfect act to bridge the gap for the next three bands.
The Mars Volta took the stage at 5:15 p.m., and blasted their way through a 50-minute set that really got the fans moving. Frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala was his usual energetic self, tossing his microphone into the air on several occasions. Despite being nearly an hour long, the band’s set only consisted of four lengthy songs, highlighted by “Drunkship of Lanterns.”
Deftones clearly embraced their co-headliner status, delivering a jam-packed 15-song set. Vocalist Chino Moreno covered every inch of the stage, while making the most of the two risers dead center to sing to the 50,000 people in front of him. The band’s setlist was a mix of old and new, highlighted by “Digital Bath,” “Cherry Waves,” and “Change (In the House of Flies).” By the time the band wrapped up its set with “7 Words,” the now massive crowd was more than ready for System of a Down, who clearly had their work cut out for them.
System of a Down mixed things up by opening their set with “Genocidal Humanoidz,” one of the two new songs they released in 2020. The band’s shows are few and far between these days, but System made sure to give fans their money’s worth. Singer Serj Tankian and company tore through a 25-song setlist that included “B.Y.O.B.,” “ATWA” “Chop Suey!,” “Lost in Hollywood,” and “Aerials,” among other favorites. They broke out a few rarities, as well, including “Mr. Jack” for the first time since 2019, and “P.L.U.C.K.” and “Know” for the first time since 2018.
By the time System of a Down wrapped up the evening with “Sugar,” the massive event was over, and was nothing short of a total success.
See photos from Heavy Consequence photographer Raymond Ahner below, as well as a news report and fan-filmed video footage and the setlists for System of a Down and Deftones. Catch Deftones at their own Dia De Los Deftones festival in San Diego on November 2nd ( tickets available here ).
Photo Gallery – System of a Down, Deftones, The Mars Volta, Viagra Boys, and VOWWS at Golden Gate Park (scroll through):
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System of a Down Setlist: Genocidal Humanoidz (first time as an opener) Suite-Pee Prison Song Mr. Jack (first time since 2019; with “Hezze” interlude) Soldier Side – Intro B.Y.O.B. Science Deer Dance Radio/Video ATWA Hypnotize Needles Bounce Suggestions P.L.U.C.K. (first time since 2018) Psycho Chop Suey! Lonely Day Kill Rock ‘n Roll Lost in Hollywood Aerials DAM Know (first time since 2018) Toxicity Sugar
Deftones Setlist: Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) My Own Summer (Shove It) Tempest Swerve City Diamond Eyes Digital Bath Needles and Pins Cherry Waves Feiticeira Lotion Rosemary Rocket Skates Change (In the House of Flies) Genesis 7 Words
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