System of a Down Return to Europe in Spectacular Style at a Sold-Out Stade de France

Some shows are memorable. Others remind you exactly why live music is unlike anything else on earth.

This week we headed to Paris for two completely sold-out nights at the iconic Stade de France, where System of a Down kicked off their long-awaited European run alongside the incredible Queens of the Stone Age and the legendary Acid Bath.

Our mission was simple: catch up with the band and crew, make sure Shavo Odadjian's Ashdown rig was performing exactly as it should, and spend some time documenting one of the biggest touring productions in the world.

As expected, everything was running like clockwork.

A Rig Built for Stadiums

Waiting for us on stage were four of Shavo's custom-built Ashdown SO-1200 Artist Edition heads.

Designed specifically for Shavo, the SO-1200 is based on our legendary ABM platform but developed with even more power on tap to comfortably drive his three custom-loaded ABM-810 cabinets featuring bespoke Ashdown grilles.

Despite playing to audiences of this scale, Shavo's tone remains wonderfully uncomplicated.

There's no elaborate signal chain, no endless rack of effects or hidden digital processing.

Just a bass, a wireless system, an Ashdown amplifier and a wall of 8x10 cabinets.

Sometimes the simplest approach really is the best.

The first note during our on-stage soundcheck literally shook us to our core. It was everything you want from a bass guitar—massive, clear, aggressive and full of character. Hearing that sound echo around one of Europe's biggest stadiums was something we'll never forget.

Behind the Scenes with Tone Factory

Before the first show we met up with the fantastic team from Tone Factory France, who joined us to film an exclusive interview and rig walkthrough.

Shavo's long-time bass technician Takumi welcomed us onto the stage and generously talked us through every aspect of the touring setup. Having worked with countless world-class artists over the years, his knowledge is incredible, but even more impressive is what a genuinely kind and humble person he is.

Everyone involved made us feel completely at home, and we're incredibly excited for everyone to see the finished interview once Tone Factory releases it.

Ten Dates. Nearly One Million Fans.

To put the scale of this tour into perspective...

The Stade de France welcomed around 100,000 fans across the two nights, and every ticket was sold.

These Paris shows are just the beginning of a ten-date European tour, with similarly huge crowds expected throughout the run.

What makes that achievement even more remarkable is that System of a Down haven't released a full studio album since 2005, aside from a pair of singles in 2020.

Very few bands in modern music could command audiences of this size without a new album to promote.

System of a Down aren't simply touring—they're proving that timeless music, incredible performances and a loyal fanbase can transcend decades.

Catching Up with Shavo

Before the show we spent some time backstage with Shavo and his family.

Seeing his entire family travelling together on tour was genuinely heartwarming and a lovely reminder that, behind the stadiums and sold-out crowds, these are still real people sharing extraordinary experiences together.

We spoke about music, his current projects, bass guitars, his signature sound and, of course, his relationship with Ashdown.

It's hard to believe that we first met Shavo back in 2002.

More than two decades later, he's still one of the most recognisable bass players in rock, and we're incredibly proud that Ashdown continues to be such an important part of his sound.

A Masterclass in Live Performance

When the lights finally went down, the band delivered an astonishing 29-song set spanning every era of their career.

Watching them perform together felt like stepping back into 2005, yet at the same time there was a maturity and confidence that only years of experience can bring. The energy never dropped.

Every member of the band attacked the stage with the enthusiasm of musicians half their age, commanding one of Europe's largest stadiums from the very first note to the last.

Standing side-stage with friends, family and crew was one of those moments that reminds you why live music is so special.

Then came something none of us will ever forget.

Listening to nearly 100,000 people singing every word back to the band, there were moments when the audience seemed louder than the PA itself.

You didn't just hear it. You felt it.

A Birthday to Remember

One particularly touching moment came when the band paused to celebrate John Dolmayan's daughter Emma's 10th birthday.

With the entire stadium joining together to sing *Happy Birthday*, it became one of those wonderfully human moments that simply can't be planned.

Just imagine being ten years old and having one hundred thousand people singing Happy Birthday to you.

An unforgettable memory for everyone lucky enough to witness it.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Shavo, Takumi, Chace, the entire System of a Down camp and everyone who made us feel so welcome throughout our visit.

It's always a privilege to see Ashdown equipment being trusted on stages of this scale, but it's the people behind the music who make experiences like these truly special.

We can't wait to share the full interview and behind-the-scenes footage with you soon.

Until then... enjoy a look at one of the biggest rock shows on the planet.

System of a Down – Stade de France Set List

1. X

2. Prison Song

3. Violent Pornography

4. Mr. Jack

5. I-E-A-I-A-I-O

6. Soldier Side (Intro)

7. B.Y.O.B.

8. Soil

9. Deer Dance

10. Know

11. Radio/Video

12. Bubbles

13. Dreaming

14. Hypnotize

15. Needles

16. Bounce

17. Suggestions

18. Psycho

19. Chop Suey!

20. Lonely Day

21. Lost in Hollywood

22. Tentative

23. Aerials

24. Roulette

25. My C*ck

26. Cigaro

27. Suite-Pee

(Happy Birthday to Emma)

28. Toxicity

29. Sugar