Mike Patton Brings Tomahawk to The Warfield

Tomahawk
The Warfield
August 14, 2026

Photos by Raymond Ahner

Playing in San Francisco for the first time since 2013, Tomahawk returned to the city by the bay last week, delivering a performance that made the wait feel more than worthwhile. Fronted by the incomparable Mike Patton, the band delivered a set to the near sold-out crowd that was dark, strange, heavy and just as quirky as one would expect.

Opening their set at the legendary Warfield Theater with “Flashback,” the always difficult to categorize band had the crowd totally enthralled with their metal meets experimental meets country meets surf sound. Guitarist Duane Denison provided a steady stream of sharp riffs, with his usual nonchalant intricate textures and atmospheric flourishes, while drummer John Stanier pounded and attacked the kit with precision and power. Trevor Dunn’s bass anchored the free for all, giving the songs a steady groove that kept everything moving forward.

Then there was the frontman. Mike Patton’s voice remains one of the most versatile and distinctive of all time, always ready to move from a low, menacing growl to an almost operatic wail within seconds. He also continued to bring his theatricality to the stage, moving between vocals, keyboards and his electro gear while maintaining an unmistakable smirk, like he was getting one over and every single person in the venue, and he probably was.

The set for the evening balanced between older material with songs from Tonic Immobility, giving the fans plenty to lose their minds to, while showing that Tomahawk’s more recent material fits naturally alongside the classics. Rather than feeling like a nostalgia trip, the performance sounded totally fresh and new. Highlights included “Predators and Scavengers,” “Doomsday Fatigue,” and “God Hates a Coward.”

Supporting Tomahawk on the tour was the Melvins, who, as always, just come out and pummel the crowd with their no nonsense brutality. If the band weren’t all friends it would almost feel like they were trying to upstage the headliners, but they just come out to do their job, without fail every sing time.

Here’s more photos of the performers by Raymond Ahner