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Linkin Park comes roaring back with more than an echo of its past with new singer at Kia Forum

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Seven years after tragedy silenced the raging platinum-selling rock band Linkin Park , the group took a major step toward its resurrection at the Kia Forum on Wednesday night, launching a tour with new singer Emily Armstrong.

Following 17 years of radio hits and major touring success, the band’s original run ended abruptly with the 2017 suicide of singer Chester Bennington , who had long been the roaring counterpoint to Mike Shinoda’s rapped vocals. In his lyrics and performances, he was an artist adept at the extremes of fury and tenderness, and had connected deeply around the world.

A new singer who sounded too much like Bennington would only make fans miss him more. For his replacement, casting against type was the braver and more intriguing path, rebirthing Linkin Park as something more than a sad echo of its past. Armstrong, who previously sang for Los Angeles-based rock band Dead Sara, showed that potential at the Forum.

The band played in the round, on a mostly empty, high-tech stage shaped like an aircraft carrier. That meant great sight lines for more people in the arena, but muddier sound as a result.

Regardless, for two hours the band powered through 27 songs as tight as ever, beginning with two of their most popular early anthems, “Somewhere I Belong” and “Crawling.” Like most of the Linkin Park songbook, Bennington’s voice was central on the original recordings, but Armstrong dived in with confidence and appropriate angst, frequently bent over her mic, wailing at the edge of the stage.

On “Crawling,” she roared the signature anguished lyric, headbanging her blond locks: “I’ve felt this way before/So insecure!” as the crowd shouted along.

Genders aside, there are similarities between the current and former singers. Like Bennington, Armstrong is as capable with rich melodies as throat-ripping vocals, a natural fit with the established Linkin Park sound, which collides metal riffs with hip-hop, electronics and pop hooks.

“Have you met our friend Emily yet?” said a grinning Shinoda, bearded and wearing a leopard-print jacket, who did most of the talking between songs. He also noted the spontaneous, high-octane singalongs that were already filling the arena, with an affectionate nod to their late vocalist. “You already know that you guys are singing for Chester tonight, right?”

Later, he added, “We are thrilled to be back out here. It is not about erasing the past. It is about starting a new chapter into the future.”

That new chapter arrived with little warning less than a week ago, when Linkin Park announced its return, and introduced their new singer, via livestream performance from Warner Bros.’ Burbank studio and included a new song, “The Emptiness Machine.” A new album, “From Zero,” will land this November from the band’s longtime label, Warner Records.

Losing a talented, charismatic frontman is a devastating blow to any rock group, and few survive. If most Linkin Park fans were resigned to the band being over, the impulse to find a way back is in character for Shinoda, long its most driven creative force in the studio. But keeping the reunion a secret even as the group rehearsed with Armstrong, recorded an entire album and planned an arena tour was a startling feat.

“I’m sorry we had to keep this big secret from you for so long. It was very difficult for us,” Shinoda said from the Forum stage, then nodded toward Armstrong. “She had to not even hang out with her friends or tell anybody anything.”

There are other changes too. Drummer Rob Bourdon chose not to participate in the reunion and was replaced by Colin Brittain. While guitarist Brad Delson remains a full member, he will no longer tour with Linkin Park; filling in on the road is Alex Feder.

Fans were primed for this moment and roared with approval. There were many spontaneous chants of: “Linkin Park! Linkin Park! Linkin Park!” Bennington’s singular presence was irreplaceable, but Armstrong showed she had chops of her own to help the veteran act work toward something new.

Until “From Zero” is released, the band’s set list will remain almost entirely songs from the past. But Armstrong seemed up to the challenge, even on 2007’s agitated “Given Up,” originally featuring one of Bennington’s most superhuman vocals, as she paced the large stage, pumping her fist, reshaping the vocal to her voice.

At a different volume was “Lost,” as Shinoda tapped a delicate piano melody, and Armstrong added an understated vocal of regret (“I’m lost in these memories/Living behind my own illusion”). Originally recorded during sessions for 2003’s “Meteora,” the song remained unreleased until a 20th anniversary reissue of the album, but at the Forum it was rearranged to its most austere and vulnerable.

Late in the evening, Linkin Park delivered three of the band’s most popular and explosive songs of frustration and defiance — “Numb,” “In the End” and “Faint” — as Armstrong was nearly drowned out by a crowd passionately singing every word. In those moments, it hardly mattered who held the microphone, as thousands of the band’s most devoted followers took on the lyrics as their own, and maybe saw something of themselves in this new singer.

The Forum concert was the first night of a short international tour that continues Monday in New York, followed by stops in Hamburg, Germany; London; Seoul; and Bogota, Colombia. A longer tour is promised for 2025.

After years of silence, Linkin Park once again sounds like a band with a future.

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Linkin park announces ‘from zero tour,’ barclays center show. get tickets.

Linkin Park is far from “The End.”

After a seven-year hiatus, the early aughts rockers announced they’re taking off on a six-concert tour in support of their upcoming eighth studio album, “From Zero.”

As of now, the nu-metal group only have two shows lined up in North America. First, the “Bleed It Out” band is slated to headline at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Five days later, they’ll hit Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Monday, Sept. 16.

At all shows, Dead Sara lead singer Emily Armstrong will fill in for the late Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Rock producer Colin Brittain has been tapped to replace drummer Rob Bourdon, who left Linkin Park after Bennington’s untimely passing.

They join vocalist Mike Shinoda, guitarist Bad Delson, bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and turntablist Joe Hahn.

“When I started to hear Emily’s voice on things, it was like the first time my brain would accept it as a Linkin Park song,” Shinoda told Zane Lowe in an interview .

“It was infectious and it was really, really fun,” Armstrong added. “…this could work.”

Fans can purchase tickets for all upcoming North American ‘From Zero’ shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale is Saturday, Sept. 7.

Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.

Linkin Park tour schedule 2024

A complete calendar including all ‘From Zero’ tour dates, venues and available links to buy tickets can be found below.

Linkin Park new music

Ahead of the album’s new release, Linkin Park dropped the soaring lead single “The Emptiness Machine.”

After a quiet start — by the band’s standards — Armstrong comes in and takes over vocal duties around the 1:10 mark and makes a powerful impression right away. The Dead Sara singer’s go-for-broke falsetto instantly breathes life into the band’s trademark dramatic lyrics ( Let you cut me open just to watch me bleed is as Linkin Park as it gets) and quickly establishes her as a forced to be reckoned with. In short, she’s a revelation.

The band’s surprise live-streamed Los Angeles concert can be found here .

Emily Armstrong controversy

While Armstrong may be a great fit for Linkin Park, she does have a somewhat checkered past.

The 38-year-old singer has ties to the Church of Scientology, and, although it’s unclear whether or not she’s still associated with the organization, this news has upset fans of her new band.

Armstrong also allegedly attended actor Danny Masterson’s rape trial and conviction. As of now, there is no information on her relationship with Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

Huge 2024 concert tours

Can’t make it to LA or NY to see Linkin Park?

No worries.

Here are just five groups with similar sensibilities that might be headed to a venue near you in the next few months.

•  Breaking Benjamin with Staind

•  Slipknot

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Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of the 50 biggest concert tours in 2024 to find the show for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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Linkin Park From Zero World Tour: How to Get Tickets Online

Link Park's From Zero tour launches Sept. 11 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

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After a seven-year hiatus, Linkin Park surprised fans with a new tour, a new lead singer and new music. The band — Mike Shinoda, Phoenix, Joe Hahn and new members Emily Armstrong (co-vocalist) and Colin Brittain (drummer) — will launch the first of six arena shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Wednesday (Sept. 11).

Inside Linkin Park’s Secret Comeback

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Keep reading for a deeper dive into ticket prices and how to score discounts to shows in Los Angeles and other cities on the tour.

Linkin Park Tour: When & Where to Buy Tickets Online

Hoping to see Linkin Park in Los Angeles or New York? Resale tickets are currently available on several sites including TicketMaster , StubHub , Vivid Seats , TicketNetwork and SeatGeek . Looking for tickets to international tour dates? You can find them on Viagogo in addition to the aforementioned sites.

General on-sale tickets for tour stops in Los Angeles and New York reportedly sold out after they were released on Sept. 7. Another batch of tickets for the New York show went on sale at Ticketmaster on Monday. The NYC concert will take place Sept. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Linkin Park Underground members can purchase pre-sale tickets to the Bogota show as of today at 10 a.m. local time, according to the Linkin Park X account . Pre-sale tickets to the London show at O2 Arena and Barclays Arena in Hamburg will go on sale Sept. 12. General-on sale for the shows in Europe starts on Sept. 13.

Prices range from approximately $123 and up for the U.S. show. A select number of resale tickets for the concert in Bogota have apparently hit the web, and they’re priced at $101 and up .

Right now, Los Angeles and New York have the highest ticket prices at $350 on average. Use code BILLBOARD150 to save $150 off $300 at TicketNetwork and BILLBOARD300 to save $300 off $1,000.

See tour dates below.

Linkin Park Tour Dates

Sept. 11 – Kia Forum, Inglewood, Calif.

Sept. 22 – Barclays Arena, Hamburg, Germany

Sept. 24 – The O2, London, U.K.

Sept. 28 – INSPIRE Arena, Seoul, South Korea

Nov. 11 – Coliseo Medplus, Bogota, Colombia

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Linkin Park's new singer Emily Armstrong explodes in Los Angeles concert tour kickoff

LOS ANGELES − After thrashing out the first three power songs in Linkin Park 's spanking new musical chapter Wednesday night, band co-founder, rapper and producer Mike Shinoda took time for some greetings and one important introduction before the sold-out and enthusiastically rowdy crowd at Los Angeles' Kia Forum.

"It's truly so wonderful to see you again. I just want to say this is the first show of our tour," said Shinoda, officially kicking off the From Zero World Tour, the first for the Grammy-winning nu metal band since the 2017 death of powerhouse singer Chester Bennington.

"Have you met our friend, Emily, yet?" Shinoda asked.

The raucous Forum crowd had definitely met Emily Armstrong, who was announced as Linkin Park's new co-lead singer just six days earlier on Sept. 5, along with the six-date international tour (next stops in New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogota, Colombia) and the promised release of the band's eighth album, "From Zero" (out Nov. 15).

Linkin Park setlist: All songs in the From Zero World Tour kickoff with Emily Armstrong

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Armstrong, the co-founder of alternative rock band Dead Sara, made an instant impact with her raging vocals, fearless stage presence and black booted-stage strut − from the fittingly titled first song, 2003's "Somewhere I Belong," to OG Linkin Park classics "Crawling" and "Lying from You."

Still, Shinoda made it clear from his introduction that Bennington was on every audience member's mind.

"You already know that you guys are singing for Chester tonight, right?" Shinoda said before starting a "Points of Authority" crowd sing-along.

There was controversy over the reformed Linkin Park, which includes DJ Joe Hahn, bassist Phoenix and new drummer Colin Brittain. The critical responses included a viral Instagram stories post Monday from Jamie Bennington, son of the late singer, stating Armstrong's appointment "quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time. "

Linkin Park, and Armstrong, channeled any response to criticism into the tenacious, two-hour, 27-song show featuring the new vocalist owning every inch of the stage in the middle of the famed LA arena.

Revealing the band's already-released new single, "The Emptiness Machine," Armstrong held her microphone to the air to exhort the crowd to sing along with the new lyrics. In "Burn It Down," Armstrong smiled as if she had been performing the 2012 song forever.

"How you feeling, Em?" Shinoda asked after Armstrong fell to her knees singing "Waiting for the End." Her unprintable two-word response included "great." Following a spirited rendition of "Friendly Fire," Armstrong grinned and said puckishly, "That was fun."

The singer swore a little enthusiastically after the crowd roared to Linkin Park's new version of "Numb."

"Emily, there are children," Shinoda jokingly chided from the stage.

"I'm so sorry," Armstrong responded, adding, "Not sorry."

Shinoda did apologize to the crowd for the late Armstrong introduction; the singer has been discreetly working and recording with the band. "Sorry to keep this secret," he said.

"It was hard," added Armstrong of the time when her presence was kept under wraps. "That was the hardest thing."

"But we are so (expletive) back," Shinoda said.

Linkin Park's explosively renewed sound revealed points that will need to be ironed out. Shinoda ran into a mic stand in one solo vocal spree during the medley "When They Come for Me/Remember The Name." The performer took his own energy as a positive.

"That was my favorite part of the night," Shinoda said, smiling.

Before the third and final encore song. "Bleed It Out," Shinoda paid respect to the band's new addition. "How about Emily?" he asked the crowd, prompting another undisputed roar of approval.

Shinoda took a quick crowd poll. To his delight, roughly half of the audience signaled through a "show of hands" that the concert had been their first Linkin Park concert experience.

"That's incredible. That's part of why we're back out here," Shinoda said. "It's not about erasing the past. It's about starting this new chapter into the future. We love playing for you guys and are very excited about our new record."

Linkin Park Unveil Emily Armstrong as New Co-Vocalist, Announce 2024 World Tour and Album

By Larisha Paul

Larisha Paul

A new chapter in the story of Linkin Park is among us. On Thursday, the band announced plans to embark on a headlining tour beginning kicking off Sept. 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, marking their first run of live performances since the death of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017. Moving forward on the road without him also brings in the addition of a new co-vocalist, for which Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, and Dave Farrell have selected Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara. Colin Brittain, songwriter and producer for G Flip, was also announced as the band’s new drummer.

Linkin Park also shared their first new music in seven years, “The Emptiness Machine,” which premiered alongside a livestream performance to announce their new album, From Zero , slated for release on Nov. 15.

Linkin Park first began teasing the announcement last week. On Instagram, the official band account shared a video of a countdown that starts at 100 hours and begins ticking away. They followed it up with another countdown, this one starting at zero seconds, increasing to nine, and immediately jumping back down to five before the video completely distorts. “It’s only a matter of time …” the caption read, along with a link to their website.

The site’s landing page hosted a message of its own: “Be part of something. Tune in.” The next teaser used the same statement in its caption, this time with an accompanying image that seemed to feature the logo Linkin Park began using in 2007.

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Even around that time, the band was thinking about how to move forward. “[Chester] had such a specific tone and range – an incredible range. He could sing almost any style you wanted him to. That led to conversations about what to do next,” Shinoda said. “It became obvious that you can’t just hire some schmuck to get up there and sing with us, ’cause they won’t be able to hit half the stuff.”

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Linkin Park Is Bringing the Heat for Their Comeback Tour

Babe, wake up and put on your eyeliner. Linkin Park is back! For the first time in seven years, Linkin Park has made some big announcements. Firstly, they are introducing two new members into the band: Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong as co-vocalist and Colin Brittain as drummer (who’s worked with G Flip, Illenium, and One OK Rock as a songwriter and producer.) In a statement shared with the press, Mike Shinoda elaborated on the band’s new era, seven years after the death of their lead singer Chester Bennington, “The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created. We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together. We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones.” They’ll be debuting their new sound with their upcoming album From Zero , out on November 15.

Their first single together, “The Emptiness Machine,” is streaming now.

If the news of the new Linkin Park has already calmed your little emo heart, giving you a sense of peace and tranquility, I’m so sorry to be the one to break this to you— the band is going on tour starting next week, and tickets go on sale this weekend. Has someone warned Ticketmaster yet?

September 11, 2024 | Kia Forum - Los Angeles, CA September 16, 2024 | Barclays Center - New York, NY September 22, 2024 | Barclays Arena - Hamburg, Germany September 24, 2024 | The O2 - London, UK September 28, 2024 | INSPIRE Arena - Seoul, South Korea November 11, 2024 | Coliseo Medplus - Bogota, Colombia

• linkin park
• colin brittain
• emily armstrong
• the emptiness machine
• breaking the habit

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