As the music festival market grows exponentially, many artists have ventured into it, from Tyler the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw to Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner’s Eaux Claires. Hell, Lollapalooza was initially Perry Farrell’s departure tour for Jane’s Addiction. Among these many super-sized side hustles, Deftones’s Dia De Los Deftones stands out for being more than an exercise in artistic taste, it’s one of the United States largest celebrations of the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos.
As lead vocalist Chino Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter are both half Mexican, a contrast to often all-white metal bands, Dia De Los Deftones salutes their cultural heritage as well as to the band’s musical history. It is embodied in all of the details of the weekend. From the location of San Diego, the California city with closest to the Mexican border, to Deftones-painted lowriders and Dia de Los Muertos altars. Stalls serve up fruit filled paletas, tacos, and Micheladas, and attendees dance with sugar skulls, or calavera, painted across their faces as Deftones, one of the most successful Hispanic bands, headlines their hand picked show.
Deftones as a band has been lauded historically for a refusal to adhere to strict genre rules, often mixing metal with alternative, pop and rap music in a way that differentiated them from their nu-metal peers. Dia De Los Deftones lineups have the same energy. Their first playbill had names from Doja Cat and Future to Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, and this year’s ranges from up and coming rapper Doechii to the electronic wizards of 100 Gecs. Headlining the festival, as every year, is none other than Deftones.
The grounds will also have local vendors, exclusive Deftones merchandise, and art installations. In previous years, this has included various thematic walls as well as the sale of the Deftones IPA, the band’s collaboration with San Diego brewery Belching Beaver.
The Specs
- The capacity of Petco Park is 42,000.
- General admission for the one day festival costs $84.50. Verified resale tickets are available.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to San Diego here.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to Dia de Los Deftones?
San Diego International Airport is just 4 miles from Petco Park.
Where is the festival held?
The festival is held in Petco Park in San Diego, California.
What kind of bag can I bring into the festival?
Petco Park bag policy states that only bags smaller than 7” x 10” are permitted (fanny packs and other small bags)
Which artists are on the lineup?
Deftones, 100 Gecs, Knocked Loose, Doechii, Pinback, Pieri, Rile, and Capra.
2023 Poster
Videos
