Deftones will play their UK and European tour dates without Stephen Carpenter

By Paul Brannigan
( Metal Hammer )
last updated

Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter pulls out of the band's overseas tours: "With everything going on in the world, I’m just not ready to leave home"

Deftones
(Image credit: Danielle Parsons/Getty Images)

Deftones will play their upcoming shows in the UK and Europe without guitarist Stephen Carpenter, as the guitarist has decided he doesn't want to travel outside the US.

Carpenter posted a video message on Twitter explaining his decision, revealing that touring guitarist Lance Jackman will take his place for the shows in the UK/Europe.

“As much as I would love to be on the road with my brothers, playing for all of our incredible international fans, I have decided to remain playing domestically for now," says Carpenter. "With everything going on in the world, I’m just not ready to leave home and leave the country yet.

“I wish I can see each and every one of you, but for now, our good friend from Sacramento, Lance, will be fulfilling my duties. Although I’m watching from afar, I’ll be there in spirit with my Deftones family.” 

Deftones recently announced their most intimate UK show in recent memory, at the 2,300-capacity Forum in Kentish Town, London, on June 13, days after they play the main stage of this year's Download Festival.

The two gigs will mark the band 's first UK shows in four years, and their first since the release of 2020's critically acclaimed Ohms, which was awarded album of the year in Metal Hammer's Critics Poll that year.

Paul Brannigan
Paul Brannigan
Contributing Editor, Louder

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne's private jet, played Angus Young's Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.