That’s how it was with LINKIN PARK

September 22, 2024, Hamburg Barclays Arena

What has happened so far …

When Linkin Park released their debut album “Hybrid Theory” in 2000, nobody would have thought it possible that it would become the most successful band of the new millennium, and even one of the most successful bands of all time with 167 million records sold. The shockwaves were all the more tragic when Chester Bennington decided to end his life in July 2017. Since then, there have been repeated rumors about the future of Linkin Park. Mike Shinoda repeatedly expressed his intention to keep the band going, but it was never officially announced that they would continue. Conversely, the band never disbanded. When a “20th Anniversary Edition” with demos, rare B-sides and the new single “She Couldn’t” was released to mark the 20th anniversary of the debut “Hybrid Theory” and became a huge commercial success, Linkin Park began to think internally about a possible new line-up. In the late summer/autumn of 2023, two new band members were added: Colin Brittain on drums and Emily Armstrong on vocals. However, this was kept under wraps for a long time and only announced to the world public almost a year later, in September 2024. Including the announcement of a new tour!

Good choice?

Well, as with many bands that introduce a new singer, there is often a great deal of doubt as to whether the enormous footprints left behind would even suit someone new. And let’s be honest, the footprints left behind by Chester Bennington are huge. But at least they weren’t talking about a new reunion beforehand, but deliberately about a “new chapter”, a “FROM ZERO”. And with Emily Armstrong (previously with Dead Sara), an exciting blend was created that hardly anyone would have expected and therefore did not even allow for comparisons with Chester.

Great expectations

The Hamburg concert in the Barclays Arena was sold out within a few minutes and a staggering 300,000 fans put their names on the waiting list. In the afternoon, many hours before the concert started, almost all the merchandise, especially the tour shirts and hoodies, was sold out. Inside, the arena was already shaking long before the first note was played. And even though Grandson were the support act, the crowd was eagerly waiting for just one moment. – And it came: The arena and stage darkened, a green vertical laser pulsed and finally, and thought impossible by more than a few fans, Linkin Park took the stage again at 8:45 pm with an epic intro and “Somewhere I Belong”. This was located in the middle of the arena and was crowned at the top by two huge rectangular video cubes. The view was therefore excellent for all sides and all band members, especially Mike and Emily, kept changing sides.

A pleasant surprise?

When Emily grabbed the mic for “Somewhre I Belong” right after Mike’s initial rap, it really only took a few seconds for the initial doubts about the “too big shoes” to turn into absolute enthusiasm and admiration. We weren’t the only ones who felt this way, I’m sure the other 16,000 people in the hall did too. Whether well-known hits such as “Numb”, “In the End”, “Faint” and “What I’ve Done” or the two new songs “The Emptiness Machine” and “Friendly Fire” – Emily gave them all a new, personal touch with her powerful voice and a mixture of respect for the original, for Chester and her very own approach and interpretation. Her rough vocals harmonized perfectly with Mike’s rap parts.

Triumphant

She is allowed to admit to minor lyrical uncertainties. You can also forgive her, especially as a woman, for perhaps not having the power in her voice that a Chester had back then. Because nobody wanted a Chester 2.0, a 1:1 clone or a Chester in the form of a hologram (there really was this idea!). A conscious decision was made to make a fresh start in the form of a non-comparable new path. So a “FROM ZERO”! The crowd loved it and every line of the lyrics was sung along loudly by the 16,000 members of what was perhaps Germany’s largest choir on that Sunday. And, you have to admit it honestly: Musically, Linkin Park were in absolute top form. It was great cinema, no, it was a triumph!

Text & Photos: Thomas Friedel Fuhrmann

Setlist:
“Somewhere I Belong” – “Crawling” – “Lying from You” – “Points of Authority” – “New Divide” – “The Emptiness Machine” – “The Catalyst” – “Burn It Down” – “Waiting for the End” – “Castle of Glass” – “Joe Hahn Solo” – “When They Come / Remember the Name” – “Lost in the Echo – “Given Up – “One Step Closer – “Lost” – “Breaking the Habit” – “What I’ve Done” – “Leave Out All the Rest” – “My December” – “Friendly Fire” – “Numb” – “In the End” – “Faint” — “Papercut” – “Heavy Is the Crown” – “Bleed It Out”

Experience LINKIN PARK live:
November 03, 2024 FR-Paris, La Defense Arena
November 08, 2024 TX-Dallas, Globe Life Field
November 11, 2024 CO-Bogota, Coliseo Medpuls
November 15, 2024 BR-Sao Paulo, Allianz Parque
November 16, 2024 BR-Sao Paulo, Allianz Parque

Do you already have your ticket?

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