Last night, Linkin Park officially began their highly anticipated global comeback mini-tour at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. This performance marked the band’s first since their surprise return on September 5, where they introduced new vocalist Emily Armstrong and debuted a new song titled "The Emptiness Machine". The 26-song setlist included fan favorites spanning their seven albums, alongside several rarities.
The show opened with the track "Somewhere I Belong" from Meteora, making it the first time the band ever initiated a concert with that song. The concert also featured notable performances of "My December" from Hybrid Theory, played live for the first time since 2008, and "Keys To The Kingdom" from The Hunting Party, which had never been performed live before. You can find the entire setlist here.
Linkin Park's performance style involved a unique staging, as they played ‘in the round’; musicians were stationed across a rectangular stage surrounded by fans. Despite the excitement surrounding their return, Armstrong faced online criticism linked to her past affiliations and associations. In response to backlash regarding her previous support of convicted actor Danny Masterson, she clarified her stance on social media, emphasizing her disapproval of violence against women.
Drummer Colin Brittain filled in for original member Rob Bourdon, who opted out of the reunion. Meanwhile, guitarist Brad Delson is absent from the tour roster, with Alex Feder stepping in. Linkin Park's tour continues with shows scheduled in New York, Hamburg, London, and Seoul, concluding in Bogota this November. Their upcoming album, From Zero, is set to release on November 15 via Warner.