Fans poured into PHX Arena on Saturday night, filling every last seat, ready to witness the newest chapter in Linkin Park’s story. The stop, part of the band’s From Zero World Tour, marked their first Arizona performance in a decade, a homecoming of sorts with Phoenix being the birthplace of the late Chester Bennington. With only a handful of U.S. dates left before the tour heads overseas, the energy in the room was undeniable.

For many fans, Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory album was their gateway into rock music, a band that not only defined, but also paved the way for the nu metal genre. Now, after a seven-year hiatus following Bennington’s untimely passing, the band has re-emerged. The show in Phoenix marked a year since Linkin Park unveiled their new lineup, featuring Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain, in a live-streamed debut of their single, “The Emptiness Machine.” Now, with the release of their first full album in seven years, From Zero, released November 15, the band is proving they can honor their legacy while opening a bold new chapter in their storied career.

Opening the night, Jean Dawson delivered a genre-defying set that felt like the perfect complement to Linkin Park. While considered an experimental pop artist, elements of pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and grunge were evident as they played through tracks like “SICK OF IT*,” “New Age Crisis,” and “PIRATE RADIO*.” The drummer performed with his face shrouded by a balaclava, with other members of the band’s faces hidden under a hood, adding an element of mystery to their performance. The band ended their set with “THREE HEADS*,” which had the crowd dancing and nodding their heads, elevating the energy and excitement for what was to come. This date would be Jean Dawson’s last supporting Linkin Park on tour. Jean Dawson’s new single, “Blitz,” drops September 11. Give it a listen!

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The air was thick with anticipation as fans eagerly awaited Linkin Park’s return to an Arizona stage. The crew prepared a stage setup that was unique from your typical arena show. Positioned in the center of the venue, the stage offered fans a true 360-degree experience, ensuring that no matter where you sat, you had a clear view of the performance, a design which would give the band the freedom to perform to every side of the arena, creating a more immersive experience. Above the stage, two massive rectangular cubes hung suspended, each outfitted with screens that would project video of the band as they performed, while powerful beams of light would project downward to add a moody element to the set’s production.

Michelle Branch’s “Everywhere” played as a countdown appeared on the screens, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Fans counted down as the clock struck zero and Act I began. The “Inception” intro, which included elements of “Iridescent,” began to play as members of Linkin Park entered the stage one by one, with frontman Mike Shinoda and front woman Emily Armstrong taking the stage last. They opened their set with fan favorite “Somewhere I belong,” starting the night on a high note. While it appears that the band has been consistently opening with this track, the remaining tracks in the first act change nightly. On this evening, the crowd would see “Lying From You,” “Up From the Bottom,” and “New Divide,” before closing out the first act with “The Emptiness Machine.” Before launching into the track, Shinoda took a moment to remember Chester being that they were performing in the state where he was raised. 

Act II offered moments for each member of the band to shine. Emily had a quiet opening solo on “Where’d You Go,” a cover from Mike Shinoda’s Fort Minor project which showcased her vocal ability, and Joe Hahn had a solo on turntables accompanied by Colin Brittain on drums. During Mike’s moment to shine, he took to the barricade, taking care to greet fans along the full length of the pit surrounding the stage. As he was making his rounds, he came upon a fan wearing a cap and gown, which would lead to an unexpectedly emotional moment for Shinoda and fans alike. The fan explained that he graduated today and ditched the ceremony to attend the show instead. Shinoda, moved by the act, signed the hood of his gown before gifting him with his hat which had been signed by the whole band. The fan then shared that his mother, who was also in attendance, was Chester’s high school choir teacher. Shinoda took a moment to honor the fan’s mother, hugging her, and stating that, if it weren’t for her, he very well may not have been standing where he was that day. Mike continued along the barricade, rapping verses, stating that he tries to change it up each night and that he felt a bit unprepared for that evening’s selections. He performed verses from “UNTIL IT BREAKS” before jumping into a verse from “Lift Off,” which seamlessly lead into Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name,” which had the entire screaming along with the verses. The band rejoined Shinoda on stage for the remainder of the track before closing out Act II with “Casualty” and “One Step Closer,” which saw two massive mosh pits on each end of the stage. 

In Act III, the stage setup shifted, offering an opportunity for fans on the other side of the stage a fresh perspective of Brittain and Hahn’s performance. The act was brief, just three songs, kicking off with “Lost” and closing with “What I’ve Done.” It appears that the third slot is rotated nightly, and on this evening, fans were treated to “Over Each Other.” Act IV opens each evening with “Overflow” and “Numb,” while changing up the remaining songs with every set. On this evening, the set ended with a rowdy performance of “Bleed It Out,” which even had the crew who were preparing to break down the stage, headbanging along with their hard hats. The band kicked off the encore with “Papercut.” The energy from the band and fans ramped up tenfold and continued through all three songs of the encore. Moshpits were raging and crowd surfers poured over the barricade as Linkin Park ended the night with “In The End” and “Faint.” The band, appearing moved by the deafening cheers from the crowd, expressed their gratitude as they exited the stage. Mike Shinoda took time on his way out to greet fans on the barricade, pass out guitar picks, and sign items for fans. While the entire band engaged well with the crowd throughout the night, his genuine care for and connection with fans in particular was outstanding.

When the band first announced their return, fans had mixed opinions on whether or not a new lineup could really live up to the band’s legendary legacy. While Chester Bennington will forever be irreplaceable, Emily has proven to be a thoughtful and powerful addition to the band. Her range brings new dimension to the older material, her screams and soaring vocals honoring Chester’s imprint while carving her own space in the band’s sound. 

The new songs hold their own, the performance was unforgettable, and the packed arena made it clear: Linkin Park is back and here to stay. 

Don’t miss an opportunity to catch this show live. A handful of US dates remain before the band takes the show international. Tickets can be purchased here.

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