When tickets went on sale for System of Down and Deftones’ one-off co-headlining show at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the event sold out within an hour. Another Planet Entertainment, the event’s promoter, announced that 90% of the over 50,000 tickets sold came from people traveling to San Francisco to see not only the two headliners, but also The Mars Volta, Viagra Boys and VOWWS.
On Saturday (August 17th) the time had finally come and fans crowded into the west end of the park to experience the outstanding lineup of bands on a typically grey and foggy summer day in San Francisco.
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The show kicked off with LA-based death pop band VOWWS, who, despite only playing a 30-minute set, made the most of their time and brought the fans, who were still trickling 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 fill the gap for the next three bands.
The Mars Volta took the stage at 5:15 p.m. and put on a 50-minute set that really got the fans going. Frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala was full of energy as always, throwing his microphone in the air several times. Although the band’s set lasted almost an hour, it only consisted of four long songs, the highlight of which was “Drunkship of Lanterns.”
Deftones were clearly aware of their co-headliner status and delivered a jam-packed 15-song set. Singer Chino Moreno filled every inch of the stage, using the two platforms in the middle to sing to the 50,000 people in front of him. The band’s setlist was a mix of old and new, with highlights including “Digital Bath,” “Cherry Waves,” and “Change (In the House of Flies).” As the band closed their set with “7 Words,” the now-huge crowd was more than ready for System of a Down, who clearly had their hands full.
System of a Down mixed things up by opening their set with “Genocidal Humanoidz,” one of two new songs they released in 2020. The band’s performances are few and far between these days, but System made sure fans got their money’s worth. Singer Serj Tankian and his band played a 25-song setlist, including “BYOB,” “ATWA,” “Chop Suey!”, “Lost in Hollywood,” and “Aerials,” among other favorites. They also brought out a few rarities, including “Mr. Jack” for the first time since 2019 and “PLUCK” and “Know” for the first time since 2018.
When System of a Down ended the evening with “Sugar,” the major event was over and nothing less than a complete success.
Below you’ll find photos by Heavy Consequence photographer Raymond Ahner, 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 2 (tickets available here).
Photo Gallery – System of a Down, Deftones, The Mars Volta, Viagra Boys and VOWWS in Golden Gate Park (click to enlarge and browse):
System of a down setlist:
Genocidal Humanoidz (first time as opener)
Suite Pee
Prison Song
Mr. Jack (first time since 2019; with “Hezze” interlude)
Soldiers’ Page – Introduction
Your own drinks
Science
Deer Dance
Radio/Video
ATWA
Hypnotize
Needles
Bounce
Suggestions
PLUCK (for the first time since 2018)
Psycho
Chop Suey!
Lonely day
Kill Rock’n’Roll
Lost in Hollywood
Antennas
DAM
Knowledge (for the first time since 2018)
toxicity
Sugar
Deftones setlist:
Be calm and drive (far away)
My Own Summer (Push It)
Storm
Alternative city
Diamond Eyes
Digital bathroom
Needles and pins
Cherry waves
Feiticeira
lotion
rosemary
Rocket Skates
Change (In the House of Flies)
genesis
7 words
