Preview Super Bock Super Rock 2017

Deftones’ drummer Abe Cunningham talks us through how the band prepare to play festivals.

11th July 2017

With rock titans Red Hot Chili Peppers paired with chart-topping minimalist pop beast London Grammar - and former Prince backing band The New Power Generation all Lisbon-bound, this year’s Super Bock Super Rock looks to be a beast of a weekend.

This weekend (13th - 15th July) all manner of musicians will be heading to Portugal to get involved in this year’s edition of the festival. From Pusha T to Fatboy Slim, Kevin Morby to the mighty Deftones; we’re not lying when we say there’s something for everyone.

To get ready for Super Bock Super Rock, we spoke to Deftones’ drummer Abe Cunningham, ahead of one of their only festival spots this year.

Q&A: Abe Cunningham, Deftones

How do the Deftones prepare for festival shows?
There is no preparing for a festival, you kinda have to just jump right into it. It could be the hottest of hot, the muddiest of muddy, freezing cold, it could be the most beautiful day ever - you have to surrender yourself to it! A few drinks and lots of water

Anything new in store for us? Will the festival see you playing a variation or will it be a straight hits set?
We’re just going to go out there and throw down. I think a lot of bands try to make a festival set all bangers and we try to make it varied depending on the time constraint. We try to switch it up depending on what we played there last time. A festival setting is a wild setting and you have to design the set as such. We really just go out there and try to feel what the day has to offer and design the set around that. Not too much preparation, its more of a feeling - but good times for everyone!

Do you have any special memories of playing in Lisbon previously?
We used to go to Portugal quite a bit. Oddly enough over the last decade or so, for whatever reason, we haven’t been able to make it down as much. Returning for this festival is obviously a huge thing for us and we are really, really looking forward to it. Beyond stoked and we hope that you will come and join us!

Deftones play at Super Bock Super Rock in Lisbon this weekend. Deftones play the Super Bock stage on Saturday 15th July.

Tags: Deftones, Super Bock Super Rock, Festivals, Features