Linkin Park played their second comeback show at the Barclays Center in New York City on September 17. Heavy New York's Alexander Haber was in attendance and recalls the magic of that night.
Linkin Park's Epic Performance at Barclays: A Night of Nostalgia and Transformation
For many, Linkin Park served as a gateway into heavy music, but for me, they were my introduction to music as a whole. Their iconic albums, Hybrid Theory and Meteora, blend rock, metal, hip-hop and epic soundtracks, perfectly encapsulating everything I love about music. From Chester Bennington's powerful voice to Mike Shinoda's sharp raps, Brad Delson's guitar work and Mr. Hahn's unique sound effects, the band’s chemistry is unforgettable.
When I heard about this new incarnation of Linkin Park performing at Barclays Center, I knew it was something I had to witness. My only prior experience seeing them live was a surprise show at Grand Central just two months before the tragic loss of Chester Bennington. So, in many ways, this felt like my first real Linkin Park concert.
A Cinematic Introduction
The show began with a cinematic entrance, setting the stage for a night filled with emotional highs and lows. Opening with "Somewhere I Belong" and "Crawling" surprised me. While both songs are legendary, they’re slower and more melancholic. It reminded me of how Metallica might open with "One" — emotionally charged but not the typical opener for an energetic night. However, when the band shifted into "Lying from You" and "Points of Authority," the energy exploded, and the crowd instantly came alive.
Mike Shinoda’s rap verses were as sharp as ever, and watching Joe Hahn behind the samples, along with Dave Farrell on bass, was a nostalgic thrill. Half of the original lineup may have been missing, but those three held the performance together with immense skill and passion.
Emily Armstrong's Vocal Presence
Emily Armstrong, the new voice standing in for Chester, had big shoes to fill. While the crowd often sang along, allowing her to focus more on her stage presence, she really shined during their new track, "The Emptiness Machine." It felt like the song she connected with most, and Mike’s performance alongside her elevated it further.
The set then transitioned into songs from later albums like A Thousand Suns and Living Things. Though not as memorable for me personally, they were still solid performances. But the real surprise came when they brought out "A Place for My Head" from Hybrid Theory. The heavy riffs, combined with Mike’s rapping and Emily’s impressive screaming, made it the standout moment of the night. "One Step Closer" followed, and Emily delivered another solid performance on that.
Ballads and Reflection
The show’s softer moments, with ballads like "Leave Out All the Rest," "My December," and "Breaking the Habit," gave Emily the chance to really showcase her vocal talent. At this point, it was clear she had the technical skills to sing Chester's parts, and while no one could fully replace him, she held her own admirably.
A Mixed Bag of Emotions
Watching this new version of Linkin Park was both joyful and strange. The absence of Chester, along with Brad and Rob, was palpable. Only half of the original lineup was there, and it left me wondering how much of that classic Linkin Park magic I missed. The production was fantastic, and Mike, Dave, and Joe gave a stellar performance, but it was still a bittersweet experience.
Linkin Park’s Legacy and Future
Linkin Park was never just Chester Bennington. His voice and presence were vital, but Mike Shinoda’s rapping, Mr. Hahn’s samples, and the overall instrumentation were just as essential to the band's identity. Watching Mike rap beside Joe Hahn gave me a glimpse of the band’s essence.
In the end (pun intended), Linkin Park should continue moving forward. There are plenty of examples of bands moving forward after suffering a tragic loss, some of them working better than others. This performance was both epic and emotional, reminding me of the complexity of their music — from the highest moments of triumph to the deepest feelings of loss. Their journey represents an unchangeable truth: change is inevitable, and it’s often hard to accept.
Leaving the show, I realized that while I had witnessed an unforgettable performance, I also missed out on the classic era of Linkin Park that shaped my generation. Their music has always been about embracing every emotion, and this concert was a reflection of that — a night of nostalgia, change, and raw power while also dealing with the sadness and anxiety that comes with inevitable change. The days of Linkin Park from the Hybrid Theory and Meteora era are just memories, and to quote Mike Shinoda, “The memory now is like the picture was then, when the paper is crumbled up it can't be perfect again”.
