Linkin Park - A New/Old Era

I saw Linkin Park perform live last Thursday, September 5th 2024.

The fact that I can write that sentence and it is true is still mind boggling to me.

Anyone who knows me or has read my writings about music in the past knows that Linkin Park has been and still is my favorite music group. I have loved them from when I discovered their music, thanks to my parents, in my early years, and I have watched every step of their career since. I’ve been there through each album release. I had the honor of seeing them live in 2008, 2011, and 2014. I was there when the world lost Chester in 2017, I was at the show done in honor of him, and I’ve been following the band in the 7 years since.

When they first started teasing something almost three weeks ago, I was surprised, to say the least. There had been rumors of a reunion, of a new vocalist and new line up, but I never let myself get too hopeful about these stories. I knew when the band was ready, they would make their announcement. It would appear that time was now.

After a bit of a fake out with the countdown/count up, clues appeared to point to something happening September 5th. Thanks to being a part of the Linkin Park Underground (their official fan club), I received an email on August 29th with the opportunity to register for the chance to get a ticket for whatever this event was. I knew I had to at least try, and I was ecstatic when I got my confirmation. The 5th couldn’t come fast enough, and I finally received my ticket and instructions for where to show up and what to expect. I arrived at the parking structure of Universal Studios and went through a security line to receive a lanyard with a plastic medallion that said the date, Linkin Park, and “From Zero”. We were loaded on shuttles and after some time navigated through and out of the Universal backlot and over to the Warner Brother’s backlot, not too far away. We exited and made our way to a soundstage where fans like us were waiting around a small stage in the center of the room. There were microphones and keyboards and a drum set ready, covered with big clear tarps. They closed the large soundstage doors, dimmed the lights, and the show began at 3pm, also being live-streamed across the world.

The moment the intro visuals and music began, I felt a wave of emotions and chills. The band members started coming out, the crowd was going wild. There were five members on stage, three that I recognized and two that I didn’t. Mike Shinoda got up to his microphone, the music quieted, and he spoke. “It’s good to see you again.” The band then launched into a brand new song, "The Emptiness Machine", which featured Mike on vocals for the first verse and chorus, and then the second verse introduces the new lead vocalist of Linkin Park, Emily Armstrong. The crowd erupted in cheers when she came on stage. The new era was here.

The rest of the show you can find on Youtube (I have watched it several times already, trying to find myself in the crowd). While it was not a perfect show, it was an excellent way to introduce the fans and the world to the next chapter for Linkin Park. When I heard the rumors that the band was looking to move forward with a female vocalist, I really liked the idea. It felt like a great way to honor Chester while having something that felt new and different. For a band that was always changing their sound and trying new things, this direction feels true to the spirit of Linkin Park. Is seeing Linkin Park with Emily as the vocalist the same as before? No. Was it great to see them up on that stage again, looking so happy and performing the songs that I love? Absolutely. It didn't feel like a tribute band or a really good cover band - this was Linkin Park, through and through. I had several moments during the show of overwhelming emotion - true tears of joy streamed down my face as I screamed along to my favorite band. I got to see not one, but two live song premiers ("The Emptiness Machine" and "Lost", the latter of which was immensely bittersweet). The setting was so small, so intimate, that I know I will never have another experience like it for a band like that, and I will cherish it for the rest of my days.

Now, the online reaction to all of this news has been mixed, to say the least. In the now time honored tradition, some of the band's "hardcore" or "og" fans have trashed the band's choices and the new sound. I've seen people say it was terrible, that this was a mistake, that the band is just looking for a cash grab and that these decisions disgrace Chester's memory. Not to mention all of the attention Emily has gotten regarding allegations of her past. By no means am I going to say that people have to like the sound or the new member choices - people are allowed to have their own opinions. I will say that if you don't like something and feel the need to speak on behalf of a man who you never met and is dead, then you need to reevaluate some things about your life. I understand that this band means so much to a lot of people, and that Chester especially was the voice for what a lot of my generation felt growing up. That does not ever give you the right to claim you know what he would have wanted or would have done. Especially to think that you know better than his bandmates, who lived every moment of life with him for nearly 20 years. I have been growing weary of the entitlement of fans as of late - not just Linkin Park, but across other genres and types of media. I know that the internet is a hot spot for negativity, but it's just been unbearable. I've stopped engaging with the communities around many series and movies I enjoy, and even with Linkin Park - I deleted and signed out of Reddit on all my devices because it was all just so toxic. It's been a bit of a stain on what should be such a joyous and exciting occasion. I had to remove myself from those communities so that I could enjoy this time. I loved the show, I love Emily as the new vocalist, I love the new song and I can't wait for the new album.

I'll be watching to see how this all unfolds - I am hopeful that people will put down their pitchforks and rely on substance for claims instead of internet rumors and allegations, but I doubt it. People love to have something to hate on. I am going to strive to enjoy the fuck out of this, because my favorite band is back and sounds great.

I made a playlist of the setlist from the show, and it's such a great choice of songs (I've included a link to my playlist on Spotify here, as well as a list below). It makes me excited for what is to come while remembering what has been. The closing of one chapter, and the starting of the next.

The Emptiness Machine

Somewhere I Belong

Crawling

Lying From You

The Catalyst

Waiting For The End

Numb (with the Numb/Encore intro)

One Step Closer

Lost (piano/vocals, just first verse and chorus)

What I've Done

In The End

Faint

(Encore)

Papercut

Bleed It Out (with a verse from A Place For My Head in the bridge)