Current:Home > InvestLinkin Park's new singer Emily Armstrong explodes in Los Angeles concert tour kickoff -Aspire Money Growth
Linkin Park's new singer Emily Armstrong explodes in Los Angeles concert tour kickoff
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:14:02
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) 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
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
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 Sept. 9 Instagram stories post from Jamie Bennington, the 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 centered 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. During "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, as 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," said Shinoda.
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," said Shinoda. "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."
veryGood! (5789)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- 25 Rare October Prime Day 2024 Deals You Don’t Want to Miss—Save Big on Dyson, Ninja, Too Faced & More
- Prosecutor says Omaha officer was justified in fatally shooting fleeing man
- A driver’s test for autonomous vehicles? A leading expert says US should have one
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Is this the Krusty Krab? No, this is Wendy's: New Krabby Patty collab debuts this week
- Florida Panthers Stanley Cup championship rings feature diamonds, rubies and a rat
- Taylor Swift Celebrates Chiefs’ “Perfect” Win While Supporting Travis Kelce During Game
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- How many points did Zach Edey score tonight? Grizzlies-Mavericks preseason box score
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- From prepped to panicked: How different generations feel about retirement
- From prepped to panicked: How different generations feel about retirement
- When and where to watch the peak of the Draconid meteor shower
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Cissy Houston, gospel singer and mother of pop icon Whitney Houston, dies at 91
- Texas edges Ohio State at top of in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 as Alabama tumbles
- A$AP Rocky Reveals When He Knew Rihanna Fell in Love With Him
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
'Time is running out': Florida braces for monster Hurricane Milton. Live updates
Toyota pushes back EV production plans in America
Is this the Krusty Krab? No, this is Wendy's: New Krabby Patty collab debuts this week
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Why Billie Eilish Will Never Discuss Her Sexuality Again
25 Best October Prime Day 2024 Fall Fashion Deals: Doc Martens for $100 Off, Sweaters for $19 & More
Man injured after explosion at Southern California home; blast cause unknown