Linkin Park performed their second comeback show on the Barclays Middle in New York Metropolis on September 17. Heavy New York‘s Alexander Haber was in attendance and recollects the magic of that night time.
Linkin Park’s Epic Efficiency at Barclays: A Evening of Nostalgia and Transformation
For a lot of, Linkin Park served as a gateway into heavy music, however for me, they had been my introduction to music as an entire. Their iconic albums, Hybrid Principle and Meteora, mix rock, steel, hip-hop and epic soundtracks, completely encapsulating every little thing I like about music. From Chester Bennington’s highly effective voice to Mike Shinoda’s sharp raps, Brad Delson’s guitar work and Mr. Hahn’s distinctive sound results, the band’s chemistry is unforgettable.
Once I heard about this new incarnation of Linkin Park acting at Barclays Middle, I knew it was one thing I needed to witness. My solely prior expertise seeing them dwell was a shock present at Grand Central simply two months earlier than the tragic lack of Chester Bennington. So, in some ways, this felt like my first actual Linkin Park live performance.
A Cinematic Introduction
The present started with a cinematic entrance, setting the stage for an evening full of emotional highs and lows. Opening with “Someplace I Belong” and “Crawling” shocked me. Whereas each songs are legendary, they’re slower and extra melancholic. It jogged my memory of how Metallica may open with “One” — emotionally charged however not the standard opener for an lively night time. Nonetheless, when the band shifted into “Mendacity from You” and “Factors of Authority,” the power exploded, and the group immediately got here alive.
Mike Shinoda’s rap verses had been as sharp as ever, and watching Joe Hahn behind the samples, together with Dave Farrell on bass, was a nostalgic thrill. Half of the unique lineup might have been lacking, however these three held the efficiency along with immense talent and keenness.
Emily Armstrong’s Vocal Presence
Emily Armstrong, the brand new voice standing in for Chester, had large sneakers to fill. Whereas the group usually sang alongside, permitting her to focus extra on her stage presence, she actually shined throughout their new observe, “The Vacancy Machine.” It felt just like the tune she related with most, and Mike’s efficiency alongside her elevated it additional.
The set then transitioned into songs from later albums like A Thousand Suns and Dwelling Issues. Although not as memorable for me personally, they had been nonetheless strong performances. However the actual shock got here once they introduced out “A Place for My Head” from Hybrid Principle. The heavy riffs, mixed with Mike’s rapping and Emily’s spectacular screaming, made it the standout second of the night time. “One Step Nearer” adopted, and Emily delivered one other strong efficiency on that.
Ballads and Reflection
The present’s softer moments, with ballads like “Go away Out All of the Relaxation,” “My December,” and “Breaking the Behavior,” gave Emily the possibility to actually showcase her vocal expertise. At this level, it was clear she had the technical abilities to sing Chester‘s components, and whereas nobody may totally change him, she held her personal admirably.
A Combined Bag of Feelings
Watching this new model of Linkin Park was each joyful and unusual. The absence of Chester, together with Brad and Rob, was palpable. Solely half of the unique lineup was there, and it left me questioning how a lot of that traditional Linkin Park magic I missed. The manufacturing was incredible, and Mike, Dave, and Joe gave a stellar efficiency, but it surely was nonetheless a bittersweet expertise.
Linkin Park’s Legacy and Future
Linkin Park was by no means simply Chester Bennington. His voice and presence had been important, however Mike Shinoda’s rapping, Mr. Hahn’s samples, and the general instrumentation had been simply as important to the band’s identification. Watching Mike rap beside Joe Hahn gave me a glimpse of the band’s essence.
Ultimately (pun meant), Linkin Park ought to proceed shifting ahead. There are many examples of bands shifting ahead after struggling a tragic loss, a few of them working higher than others. This efficiency was each epic and emotional, reminding me of the complexity of their music — from the very best moments of triumph to the deepest emotions of loss. Their journey represents an unchangeable fact: change is inevitable, and it’s usually laborious to simply accept.
Leaving the present, I noticed that whereas I had witnessed an unforgettable efficiency, I additionally missed out on the traditional period of Linkin Park that formed my era. Their music has all the time been about embracing each emotion, and this live performance was a mirrored image of that — an evening of nostalgia, change, and uncooked energy whereas additionally coping with the disappointment and anxiousness that comes with inevitable change. The times of Linkin Park from the Hybrid Principle and Meteora period are simply recollections, and to cite Mike Shinoda, “The reminiscence now could be like the image was then, when the paper is crumbled up it will probably’t be excellent once more”.
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