Danny Elfman Taps Nine Inch Nails and Dethklok Members for Fall Tour

Danny Elfman is gearing up for a fall 2026 tour, and the band he's assembled reads like a who's who of heavy music's most accomplished players. We're talking Nine Inch Nails, Dethklok, A Perfect Circle. Yeah, this one's going to be something.

The 11-date run kicks off September 7 in Chicago and wraps October 4 at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento. Elfman has also confirmed a new rock album is on the way, his first since 2021's Big Mess. Further details on the record are expected soon, but the tour will feature new material alongside cuts from Big Mess, his Oingo Boingo catalog, and his broader solo work.

The All-Star Backing Band

Let's talk about this lineup. On guitar, Elfman has Robin Finck, the longest-serving touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails who also spent over a decade in Guns N' Roses. Finck was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of NIN, and he's no stranger to Elfman's world. He appeared on Big Mess and has been part of Elfman's touring band since 2023.

Joining him on guitar is Nili Brosh, known for her work with Dethklok and another Big Mess alum. On bass is Matt McJunkins of A Perfect Circle and Eagles of Death Metal. And behind the kit? Josh Freese, one of the most prolific drummers in rock. The guy has appeared on over 400 albums and has played with Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Devo, Weezer, and plenty more. He's also been a member of A Perfect Circle since 2024.

I'll be real, this is an absurd amount of talent on one stage. The chemistry between Finck, Freese, and Elfman is already proven from Big Mess and previous tours, so adding Brosh and McJunkins to that equation makes this one of the most stacked backing bands you'll see this year.

What to Expect from the Shows

These won't just be straight rock shows. The indoor dates will be all rock, pulling from Elfman's new material, Big Mess, Oingo Boingo classics, and his solo catalog. But the outdoor dates are a different beast entirely. Those shows will feature an orchestra and choir performing selections from Elfman's legendary film and television scores.

If you're not familiar with Elfman's scoring work, just know the man has composed over 100 film scores, earned four Academy Award nominations, a Grammy, and two Emmys. His decades-long collaboration with Tim Burton alone is the stuff of legend. Recent projects include scoring Luc Besson's Dracula: A Love Tale and Sam Raimi's Send Help. So yeah, hearing that material performed live with a full orchestra? That's a whole different experience.

It's also worth noting that Elfman has been having a bit of a moment lately. He made his Saturday Night Live debut in January 2025, performing drums with A$AP Rocky on the song Punk Rocky, and he contributed string arrangements to Rocky's chart-topping album Don't Be Dumb. The guy is 73 and somehow busier than ever.

Tour Dates

Sept. 7 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom

Sept. 9 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

Tickets and On-Sale Info

Presales begin Wednesday, July 8 at 10 AM local time, with general on-sale following on Friday, July 10 at 10 AM local. Head to dannyelfman.com for tickets and more info.

Honestly, if you've been sleeping on Elfman's rock era, this is the one to catch. A new album, a band this stacked, and the possibility of hearing film scores performed with a full orchestra at the outdoor dates? Don't sit on this.

Cover photo courtesy of Ticketmaster