Hayley Williams and Deftones Light Up Nashville With Surprise ‘Minerva’ Collaboration
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena got a jolt on March 26, 2025, when Hayley Williams of Paramore crashed the Deftones stage for a version of ‘Minerva’ that left the crowd buzzing. The moment came during the encore, dropping jaws and sending fans scrambling to capture everything on their phones. For most in attendance, it was a once-in-a-lifetime crossover that blended early-2000s alternative powerhouses.
Hayley didn’t just lend harmony on the chorus — she stepped into the vocal space that Tool’s Maynard James Keenan once occupied in Deftones lore, owning every line with her signature energy and booming presence. The chemistry between Williams and frontman Chino Moreno was infectious, and the two traded verses and smiles as the arena got swept up in the performance. Those who remember their first joint set at Luxembourg’s Rock-A-Field Festival back in 2010 probably never imagined a reunion would take this long, but last night’s encore showed their collaborative spark never fizzled out.
The Bridgestone Arena event was part of a packed North American Tour for Deftones, featuring a loaded bill with The Mars Volta and Fleshwater as openers — both big draws for alternative and experimental rock fans. With a new Deftones album looming on the horizon (their tenth — a milestone for any band), there’s been a sense of anticipation around every stop on this run. The Nashville concert already promised sweaty riffs and deep cuts, but the Hayley Williams cameo elevated the night to epic status.
Fans React and What This Means for the Band
The crowd’s reaction in real time was deafening, with social media lighting up as soon as Williams appeared on stage. Clips spread quickly, showing her passion as she reached the song’s climax, her voice weaving into Deftones’ dense, haunting sound. Attendees who came for Paramore’s local hero or Deftones’ hard-hitting set both left satisfied — and plenty are already speculating whether this partnership might surface again.
For Deftones, this high-profile team-up puts extra eyes on their coming album. Their knack for collaboration, from “Passenger” (featuring Maynard) to last night’s one-off event, shows a band unafraid to experiment. Meanwhile, Williams reminded everyone just how versatile she is, trading her band’s pop-punk urgency for something heavier and more atmospheric, without missing a beat.
As the tour continues across North America and fans wait for fresh Deftones material, the Nashville performance will linger as one of those “were you there?” moments. Collaborations like this aren't planned — they’re rock history in real time.
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *