Serj Tankian recently opened up about System of a Down’s unconventional approach to touring. He explained why the band has moved away from traditional tour schedules in a new interview with Kerrang.
The frontman discussed how the band now prioritizes friendship and artistic integrity over conventional touring practices.
“We don’t play that many shows. We pick and choose what we want to do, and we actually talk about what we want to do,” Tankian said. “We don’t do tours, we just go, ‘Hey, where do you want to go?’”
He shared a specific example of this collaborative decision-making process.
“For example, we’re starting in Stockholm, and that wasn’t something that we were going to do originally, but Daron [Malakian] recommended it because he wanted to go there,” he explained. “And I’m like, ‘Bro, you want to go there? Let’s start there!’ He was like, ‘Really?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah! Because my friend wants to go there!’ That’s been our attitude, and it’s been amazing.”
Tankian emphasized that this shift reflects a deeper change in the band’s philosophy.
“It’s more caring about what we each think as friends, rather than what a professional band is supposed to do, which was very much a turn off when we took our hiatus,” he continued. “Definitely for me, but I also want to say for the rest of the guys, because they’ve also admitted to that. We’re not selling widgets. We’re artists, and we want to remain that way. We want to remain careful and not over-expose ourselves so we’re picky. We play 10 to 15 shows a year now and we’re doing stadiums instead of arenas, which is mind-blowing to us. We never even thought that that would happen in our careers.”
This selective touring philosophy has proven successful for the band. It allows them to maintain their artistic integrity while reaching larger audiences than ever before.
Loudwire reported that System of a Down’s 2025 touring schedule exemplifies this approach. The band will headline just three major stadium shows in North America during the summer. The band has scaled back their touring significantly in recent years, preferring one-off special events over long tours. Each stadium show features a different notable co-headliner: Korn at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on August 27 and 28; Avenged Sevenfold at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, on August 31 and September 1; and Deftones at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, ON, on September 3 and 5.
The band’s rationale behind this strategy extends beyond simple preference. Tankian has expressed that long tours can be both physically exhausting and artistically redundant, as Loudwire noted. This selective approach allows the band to maintain their creative energy and enjoy performing without the burnout associated with extensive touring. By focusing on special events, Tankian has noted that performing becomes enjoyable again, reigniting his enthusiasm for live shows.
In addition to their North American appearances, The Fox 96.7 revealed that System of a Down will embark on a seven-date “Wake Up South America” stadium tour, starting on April 24, 2025, in Bogota, Colombia. This marks their first trip to South America since 2015. It demonstrates the band’s commitment to carefully selecting meaningful destinations rather than following conventional touring circuits.
The band’s evolution from extensive touring to selective stadium performances represents a significant shift in how major rock acts can approach their careers. System of a Down has announced participation in future festivals and concerts, including Sick New World 2026 in Las Vegas and shows in Europe. However, these plans do not indicate a return to extensive touring. Instead, the band continues to prioritize quality over quantity, maintaining their relevance while preserving their artistic vision and personal relationships.
