One of this year's biggest news is undoubtedly the return of the band Linkin Park, now with a new singer, Emily Armstrong. This newcomer has won the hearts of some
fans, while others seem to have mixed feelings, surely due to nostalgia and fears that it will overshadow Chester Bennington, Linkin Park's iconic voice.
After getting the attention of their fans via teasers posted on the networks, the band multiplied their announcements: new titles, an upcoming album, and a world tour that took them to the Défense Arena this Sunday, November 3. The long-awaited concert sold out within 10 minutes of going on general sale.
A Taste of Celebration: Atmosphere and Anticipation at La Défense Arena
Indeed, a highly-anticipated date means fans were there well before the first rays of sunshine. In front of the Défense Arena, the atmosphere was strong and warm, with fans sharing their favorite playlists while playing Uno, while others waited at the merchandising stand to get their hands on the best merchandise before stocks ran out.
It's an atmosphere that continued once inside the concert hall, as we waited for each of the bands. Deezer karaoke was even played on the giant screens on several occasions, turning the arena into a choir of thousands of voices, a truly unique moment of communion.
Sleep Token : The Calm Before The Storm
However, the clock soon strikes 7:30 p.m., the time when the band Sleep Token takes to the stage, opening for Linkin Park, an interesting choice, bringing in a new generation of fans. After an intro lasting over 2 minutes, the band members take to the stage one by one, under dimmed lights and the shouts of the crowd, to ring out the first notes of The Offering.
The set design is simple but effective. Each member plays their own role, striding around the stage in their dedicated outfit. The lighting is fairly discreet, with colors varying according to the track, and a more or less intense glow depending on the mood of the song. As the band's lore is already very strong and elaborate, the simplicity of the lighting gives Vessel (singer) free rein to share his emotions and his universe, as if everything revolved around him.
The setlist includes The Summoning, which has become very popular on the TikTok network, Vore, not forgetting Rain, on which Vessel settles in at the synth to give us a wonderful piano-vocal performance, Alkaline and Granite, ending with Take Me Back To Eden. Most of these songs come from their latest album, eponymous of the closing track, released in May 2023 and a real turning point in the band's career.
The performance came to an end after 45 minutes, with the audience delighted, but waiting for more, for the phenomenon band that everyone had been waiting for, and for more rhythmic tracks on which to start moshing.
From Tribute to Evolution: Linkin Park set the stage alight
The impatience in the crowd is palpable. Pressure mounts and some fans are already passing out from the excitement. At 8.45pm, the lights go out, triggering an explosion of screams. A beam of light illuminates the stage and screens, which display an abstract video of particles dancing in the air. One by one, the members of the band arrive on stage to a Castle Of Glass intro, which the audience sing along to.
Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong miss out on the first notes of Somewhere I Belong, which blend in with the intro to build up not only the music but also the fans' impatience. The crowd is in suspense, until the appearance of the two vocalists marks the real start of the setlist. The screens display the artists in turn, while the crowd screams and jumps to the beat of the drums. Mike is also sure to shout a lovely 'Pariiiis!' to the cheering crowd.
The setlist is a journey through their discography, with a clear predominance of Hybrid Theory and Meteora, echoing the band's latest releases with Emily. Including the encore, Linkin Park gave us a setlist of 28 tracks, each served up by an energetic, controlled performance. Only the mix of When They Come For Me and Remember The Name saw Mike and Alex Feder (who is replacing Brad Delson on tour) alone on stage, a moment Mike made special by tossing his cap to a lucky fan.
Still focused and a little reserved due to the novelty, Emily nonetheless multiplies her interactions with the audience, notably by getting them to sing along to iconic passages like the first verse of Numb, understanding that this is not just a concert, but also a moment for everyone to pay tribute to the band's iconic singer Chester Bennington. And while some of the moments are very touching, others bring a smile to the face. When Mike introduces Mr. Hahn, Emily has fun singing “Mr. Han in da house”, triggering an enthusiastic clamor throughout the arena. This moment seems to relax Emily, who dares a few phrases in French, such as “Bonsoir” and “Comment ça va?”, although she eventually leaves her prepared speech to Mike, who humorously improvises:
"She wrote this for you. I apologize, I'm so sorry, my french is terrible. I'm such an idiot american. But this is what she said : 'Comment ça va, Paris ? Nous sommes très heureux d'être ici ce soir. Merci d'acceuillir Emily et Colin. Et merci de votre soutient pour nos nouveaux titres'. "
The band followed up with Over Each Other, released just before the Paris date, where Emily brandished her guitar to the delight of fans. Old songs, new songs... Fans howl, sing along and dance to each and every one of them. Moshpits start here and there, delighting metal fans.
Beyond the warm interactions, the stage performance is impeccable: striking lighting effects, meticulous set design, and tireless musicians. Despite the stress, Emily manages to deliver a wonderful performance, fully connected with fans and band alike.
It's a concert that could be described for hours, but if you were there, you already know that words can't describe how big this show was. With each performance, Emily Armstrong asserts herself more and more within this legendary band, not only through her vocal technique, but also through her deep understanding of the legacy she now carries and the responsibility it implies.
We can't wait for the new album, scheduled for release on November 15, 2024. And if you missed this exceptional concert, keep your eyes peeled, because there's already a rumor that Linkin Park will be back... this time at the Stade de France!
Comments