After a long wait of seven years, Linkin Park, one of the world’s most renowned bands, has finally made a much-anticipated return to the stage at The O2 Arena with fresh goals and a renewed vision for their future.
Linkin Park – Grandson
The O2 – 24 September 2024
Words: Carol Giannattasio
Photography: Luke Dyson
But let’s take it step by step because, in just three weeks, Linkin Park has managed to shake the world. It all began with the announcement of their new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, best known as the vocalist for Dead Sara. This was soon followed by the reveal of a new album, From Zero, set for release on 15 November.
Finally, they dropped the news —the From Zero World Tour—which kicked off just a week after their return.
London went above and beyond in welcoming Linkin Park back, marking their first performance in Europe in seven years since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington.
Even before entering the arena, the excitement was palpable. A massive crowd of 20,000 fans eagerly waited, ready to lose their voices, singing their hearts out. Meanwhile, long lines formed for the band’s official merchandise. But what really matters is: What happened inside?
At 8:40 PM, the lights finally dimmed, and with the opening notes of Opening and elements of Iridescent, Linkin Park were ready to give their all at The O2, gifting fans an unforgettable night.
It is hard to find the exact words to describe this evening. We witnessed a legendary band return stronger than ever, doing what they love the most. Despite the recent wave of hate they received, they took the stage with confidence, conquering every stop of their tour.
The setlist they presented was simply incredible: Somewhere I Belong, Crawling (initially sung by us fans—it was a moving moment to hear the entire arena shout every word of that song), Lying From You, Points Of Authority, New Divide, leading up to the song that now feels most connected to the band, The Emptiness Machine.
“When we put out this next song,” Mike Shinoda said with astonishment and joy in his voice, “we immediately got an email from management saying, this track is at the top of the charts, or something like that, and the response has been better than anything we’ve seen before—even bigger than some of the others.
Indeed, while Emily was incredible in performing the old songs, giving her all during the show, I found her particularly at ease with this new song of hers. Her voice was flawless, backed by the fans, and her screams were more than satisfying.
As remarkable as she was throughout the evening, I sensed a hint of hesitation in her singing. It cannot be easy for Emily to be part of one of the most commercially successful bands of the 2000s and 2010s—a band that has sold over 100 million records worldwide, including 70 million albums.
Despite all the rumours and the mixed emotions of fans ranging from anger to joy, Emily Armstrong has proven to be an outstanding choice for the future of the band.
But turning to other news about Linkin Park, Emily is not the only new addition to the group. While Rob Bourdon was formerly behind the drums, Colin Brittain is now the official drummer in this new chapter of the band’s journey.
In fact, after performing The Catalyst, Burn It Down, Waiting For The End, and Castle Of Glass, we saw him on the drums, joining Joe Hahn during his solo—another electrifying moment of the night.
Let’s take a moment to focus again on Mike Shinoda, who, midway through the evening, found himself alone on stage, accompanied only by Colin.
Unlike Emily, who is still adjusting to everything, Mike appeared to be full of life tonight. You could feel his joy at being back, making music again, and returning to the stage to experience this new journey with his fans—the same fans who stood by his side when he was with Chester, and now, as he navigates a completely new and, in some ways, uncertain chapter for the band.
I never saw him stop smiling, his eyes wide with amazement as he looked out at the crowd, almost in disbelief that so many people were once again there for Linkin Park.
As for Brad Delson, Shinoda said, “I’ve always felt deeply connected to and proud of our live performances. Over the years, I’ve realized I thrive most when I’m working behind the scenes with my bandmates—in the studio, collaborating on new music and helping to shape our live shows.”
This is why he announced that he will not be performing in this new chapter, introducing one of his friends, Alex Feder, as his replacement.
Although Linkin Park has evolved over the years—especially after the heartbreaking loss of Chester Bennington, which left every fan devastated—they are now determined to move forward, cherishing the past as an incredible memory.
Their performances of Lost, with Mike on piano and accompanied by Emily, and an acoustic version of My December were simply breathtaking. Equally powerful were the renditions of Leave Out All The Rest, Numb (featuring an intro from Numb/Encore), and, of course, the iconic In The End.
As the night drew closer to its end, you could feel the energy of the band’s unforgettable comeback reaching its peak. Papercut set the stage, followed by Heavy Is The Crown, a fresh, new track released on the same day as the concert, where Emily delivered an impressively raw and intense 16-second scream—absolutely sensational.
The night came to an explosive end with Bleed It Out, and what can I say? The crowd went wild, swept away by what these musicians have brought back to life—a future that may be challenging, but undoubtedly bright.
While I agree with Mike’s words that “the past remains in the past,” I would have appreciated a few more words about their former bandmate, who passed away seven years ago. A tribute, or even a light-hearted comment to bring a smile, would have added a special touch.
But what matters most is that despite Linkin Park’s return to the music scene with new songs—which, personally, I’ve loved so far—they will never be the same, and that’s okay.
One thing, however, is certain. Chester Bennington was with all of us that night, and especially with Emily, guiding her on this new journey in the best possible way.
Grandson
Grandson was exactly what we all needed that night—a massive surge of adrenaline before the much-anticipated arrival of Linkin Park. He opened with a standout moment, performing a cover of Mike Shinoda’s Running From My Shadow, which set the stage perfectly for the From Zero World Tour. His high-energy mix of rock, hip-hop, and socially conscious lyrics electrified the crowd. Known for his intense performances, Grandson delivered a dynamic set that hit the audience hard, featuring fan favourites like Blood//Water and Dirty, along with newer tracks that displayed his genre-bending sound.
The energy he brought was contagious, and his connection with the crowd was undeniable. Engaging in call-and-response moments, he stirred the audience to life just before Linkin Park took over the stage. His unique blend of aggression and vulnerability, paired with powerful beats and distorted guitar riffs, showcased his impressive stage presence.
This performance reinforced Grandson’s growing reputation as a powerful live performer, fully capable of standing alongside legendary bands like Linkin Park. It was a performance that left a lasting impact, complementing the emotional and nostalgic atmosphere of the night.
