Image via The Mars Volta’s Facebook

On Sept. 16, The Mars Volta delivered their new self-titled album, which marked the Texas ensemble’s first release of new material in 10 years. To follow up, the band began their reunion tour last night at Dallas’ The Factory in Deep Ellum. The Thursday night tour kick-off brought forth only small number of new tracks; instead, the group leaned into their early catalog with songs off De-Loused in the Comatorium, as well as Frances the Mute, Amputechture and Noctourniquet. 

Last night’s tour opener got underway with “Vicarious Atonement,” a song that initially appeared on the group’s third studio album, Amputechture, before moving into tunes from De-Loused in the Comatorium on bust outs “Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)” and “Eriatarka.” Next, they dove into a live debut of “Graveyard Love,” followed by Frances the Mute’s “L’Via L’Viaquez.”

The single-set performance continued with a song off the band’s pre-hiatus album, Noctourniquet, on “Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound,” which was accompanied by “Cygnus… Vismund Cygnus” and “Drunkship of Lanterns.” Bust-outs continued with “Viscera Eyes” and “Cicatriz ESP.” Then, the band worked through the second tune of the night off their latest release, on “Blacklight Shine.” 

The Mars Volta delivered “Televators” next before concluding their long-awaited return to the stage with “Son et Lumiere” and “Inertiatic ESP.” After the band’s Sept. 22 tour opener, they’ll follow up with a Sunday night show, on Sept. 25  at Atlanta’s the Tabernacle, before a Tuesday night gig in Philadelphia which will ultimately lead to the group’s two-night New York City stand at Terminal 5 on Sept. 29 and 30. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. 

Watch fan-shot videos of The Mars Volta performing the set opening “Vicarious Atonement” followed by “Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)” and, separately, their take on “Televators.” 

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist.

The Mars Volta 

The Factory in Deep Ellum – Dallas

Sept. 22, 2022 

Set: Vicarious Atonement*, Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)^, Eriatarka^, Graveyard Love*, L’Via L’Viaquez^, Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound, Cygnus… Vismund Cygnus%, Drunkship of Lanterns%, Viscera Eyes^, The Widow, Cicatriz ESP^, Blacklight Shine*, Televators#, Son et Lumiere, Inertiatic ESP 

Notes: 

* Debut 

^ First time played since 2010

% First time played since 2009 

# First time played since 2007 

Setlist via Setlist.FM.