Linkin Park performed the first show of their highly anticipated reunion tour last night (September 11) at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The concert featured a 26-track set that showcased beloved classics such as 'Crawling', 'One Step Closer', 'Numb', and 'What I've Done'. This marks the band's return after a period of controversy surrounding the addition of new lead singer Emily Armstrong (formerly of Dead Sara), who steps in to replace the late Chester Bennington.
The band's comeback was initially announced during a live-streamed event last week, where Mike Shinoda introduced Armstrong and revealed their upcoming album, 'From Zero', set to release on November 15. Shinoda has emphasized that their reformation is not about erasing the legacy of the past, stating, "this is not about erasing the past, it is about starting this new chapter into the future."
Shinoda also addressed the audience by expressing his excitement to play for new fans and those who might not have experienced their live shows before. The concert also featured the live debut of 'Friendly Fire', a track recorded during sessions for their 2017 album 'One More Light', and the first performance of 'Keys To The Kingdom' from their 2014 release 'The Hunting Party'.
Notably, founding drummer Rob Bourdon is not participating in the tour, and founding guitarist Brad Delson is absent for live shows but remains involved in the writing process.
Upcoming tour dates for Linkin Park include stops at the Barclays Center in New York, Barclays Arena in Hamburg, The O2 in London, and INSPIRE Arena in Seoul. Despite some fan backlash regarding Armstrong's involvement, the overall response to the new lineup has been positive. Shinoda and Armstrong both conveyed their eagerness for the band's new direction and future projects, reflecting a commitment to honoring their past while forging new paths.
Check out the full setlist from the concert below:
- 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 for Me / Remember The Name (Mike Shinoda solo)
- Lost In The Echo
- Given Up (first time live since 2015)
- One Step Closer
- Lost (duet piano version with Emily Armstrong)
- Breaking The Habit
- What I've Done
- Leave Out All The Rest
- My December (first time live since 2008)
- Friendly Fire (live debut)
- Numb
- In The End
- Faint
ENCORE: - Papercut
- Keys To The Kingdom (live debut)
- Bleed It Out
For more on Linkin Park's reunion, including future tour dates, visit NME.