It’s probably safe to say more than a handful of people heading to the Qudos Bank Arena last night, might have been feeling curious, maybe even sceptical about the gig they were heading to. You can almost hear the conversations playing out. “So, if there is a new lead singer, is it like a tribute band now?” or “Will it still sound the same?” and “Will I still feel the same?”
For many, Linkin Park isn’t just a band they had on rotation on the 6 CD shuffler in the Camry, it was THE band. Bad day? Turn it up! Break-up? Crank it higher! Heading out on the town? Those subwoofers better be ready!
So how would the band that played such a quintessential part of many a millennials life, fare?
Spoiler alert. They fared really well and are still the real deal.
Fans set the tone
Whether intended or not, there were several ways the band let the fans set the tone. And this clearly did the trick because the arena was full to the brim. Touring with new album, From Zero indicated both the new start and a way to introduce new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain. Unsurprisingly all eyes were on Armstrong when the intros to their biggest commercial hits “Numb” and “In the End” began. For both songs, the crowd seemed to take a natural lead singing, which in some ways made it a fan moment and not a Bennington v Armstrong moment. Opening with “Somewhere I Belong” also felt like a poignant message and one apparently shared as the song has just reportedly reached one billion streams in the last few days.
Importantly though, the sound of Linkin Park is still there and by the reaction of Sydney night one fans, the feeling was too. Founding members Shinoda and Delson, along with Hahn and Farrell bringing those rap, scratch, and metal 2000’s mems back to the future.
New music hits hard
Alongside those memories is new music including “Overflow” played with a dash of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” and fan fave, circle pit maker “Two Faced”. It feels like the band had fun when they wrote these. They have that classic Linkin Park anthemic vibe, but they feel and sound fresh.. and already well loved by the sound of the words being sung back.
According to Mike Shinoda, Australia has always been very kind to them and this tour was no different. After the disappointment of not being able to reschedule their Adelaide show, Sydney felt extra urgent. The band spent time connecting with fans along the rail, sharing signed merch and plunging into the crowd to sing. Along with great energy, supported by great visuals, lazers and ticker tape cannons, the set was a success. Closing with “Papercut”, “In the End” and “Faint”, there was very little left in the tank to make the trek home.
Opening the evening were Linkin Park fans, Aussie metalcore heads, Polaris. Playing at what was their largest venue to date, it was great to see this local Sydney band get this opportunity and thrive in the space. Well, actually the crowd was a bit tough at first. Maybe they were gasbagging about Fridays Deus x LP merch pop-up or the traffic getting to Olympic Park. Luckily, that was nothing vocalists Jamie Hails and Jake Steinhauser’s vocals couldn’t turn around. The 40 min set was full of energy and good vibes, and Polaris were looking and sounding every inch an arena band.
Linkin Park finishes the Australian leg of their tour with their second night in Sydney (15/03) before heading to New Zealand.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
All photos from Pete Dovgan – you can view more shots from the night HERE
Reviewer attended 14.03.26
