With a new voice echoing a fresh sound, Linkin Park returns to touring some of the world’s biggest stages with their highly-anticipated “From Zero World Tour.” Their seismic return reminds everyone why they are a resurgent force in rock
After Bennington’s tragic death in 2017, the band went on hiatus, leaving fans uncertain about their future. However, in 2024, Linkin Park announced their comeback and the addition of Emily Armstrong as the new co-vocalist and drummer Colin Brittain.
The band’s core members, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, and Joe Hahn, also returned to the band, although Delson had stepped back from touring. The band released their eighth album, “From Zero,” and the “From Zero World Tour” announcement followed, marking a new chapter for the band.
Their return has sparked global excitement; this article will discuss the band’s comeback from grief, their recent album, and an overview of their ongoing tour.
Success story
Linkin Park was formed in 1996 and was initially named “Xero” before the band evolved into Linkin Park with the addition of vocalist Chester Bennington, whose emotive voice paired perfectly with Mike Shinoda’s raps. Alongside Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, who played bass; Joe Hahn on turntables; Rob Bourdon on drums; and Brad Delson on guitar, they created a sound, a fusion of genres, blending nu-metal, alt-rock, and electronic elements. With this new sound, they dominated rock charts and became one of the best-selling artists of the 21st century, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.
The Californian outfit released their debut album, “Hybrid Theory,” on October 24, 2000. It is the best-selling debut album of the 21st century. The album peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was the best-selling album of 2001 in the U.S., with over 12 million units sold. “Hybrid Theory’s” genre-blending sound, merging nu-metal, rap, and electronica, was a work of art. The theme of the album revolved around Chester Bennington’s troubled childhood, his parents’ divorce, and the excessive drug and alcohol abuse he witnessed. The X12-platinum-certified album provided an escape for many who felt almost nothing towards everything.
The band’s redefined sound earned them a place among the kings of rock. Hit singles from the album, like “In the End,” debuted atop the Billboard Alternative Airplay; “Crawling” won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, and “Hybrid Theory” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album and dominated the charts. The band went on tour supporting the album and received numerous invitations to join tours, including headlining Ozzfest.
“Meteora” was Linkin Park’s second studio album, released in 2003. The album fed off the hype and glory of “Hybrid Theory,” debuting at no. 1 on the Billboard 200 and selling 8x Platinum in the U.S. Over 16 million copies were sold worldwide. The album is similar to their debut album, featuring emotionally charged songs that balance aggression with melody. Singles like “Numb,” “Somewhere I Belong,” and “From the End” all became anthems. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album, and its supporting tour, “Projekt Revolution,” grossed over $30 million. “Meteora20” was released in 2023 to celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary. The album showcased the band’s creativity, crafting emotionally charged songs that balanced aggression with melody.
The band released “Minutes to Midnight” in 2007, which leaned more towards alternative rock than the rest. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, and its world tour grossed over $50 million and drew a record 2 million attendees. The band’s foundation was rocking solid, as many fans were attracted by its heavy riffs, which sounded great with Bennington’s melodic voice.
Linkin Park went on to release four more albums, each laced with innovative production changes that showcased the band’s willingness to adapt to new trends while maintaining that aggressive melody that brought them to the limelight.
Fame
Linkin Park are popularly known for their creative blend of nu-metal aggression, hip-hop rhythm, and electronic textures, producing a universally accepted sound. This tricky step earned the band a devoted fan base and awards that are a testament to their growth.
Their lyrics are meaningful, tackling universal issues like pain, identity, and redemption. Linkin Park incorporated these into their songs, and it connected deeply with listeners, especially youths trying to move on after the 9/11 angst.
The seamless flow between Chester Bennington and Shinoda was also another factor that made the band popular. Chester’s intense and versatile vocals complemented the hard raps of Shinoda, creating a dynamic emotional range that caused arenas to sell out quickly.
Their music videos, like “In the End” and “Numb,” were MTV staples, and albums like “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora” offered solace and empowerment. Their relentless touring, from clubs to stadiums, helped them build a loyal global fanbase, the Linkin Park Underground (LPU).
They offered members of LPU exclusive content and personal interactions long before social media. With the help of this community, the band addressed mental health issues openly and donated to several charities, including Music for Relief, raising millions for disaster relief.
From Zero World Tour
In 2024, the two-time Grammy-winning band stunned the world by announcing their reunion seven years after Chester Bennington died. The September 5, 2024, announcement also introduced co-vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain as new band members. Their latest album, “From Zero,” released November 15, 2024, marks a new chapter in the band’s career. The album’s lead single, “The Emptiness Machine,” topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Alternative Airplay charts, becoming 2024’s biggest rock song. The album’s second single, “Heavy Is the Crown,” was the anthem for the League of Legends World Championship held in September 2024.
Despite controversy, including protests from Bennington’s family and scrutiny over Armstrong’s past ties to the Church of Scientology and her initial support for a controversial figure, criticism was sparked. However, the band’s comeback has been met with overwhelming fan support, evidenced by Linkin Park tickets selling out and praise from critics.
Linkin Park’s first major tour in seven years, the “From Zero World Tour”, was announced on September 5, 2024. It began on September 11, 2024, in Inglewood, California, at the Kia Forum and is set to conclude on November 15, 2025, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The tour spans North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with over 50 dates added due to demand, including stadium shows in Paris, Dallas, São Paulo, and Tokyo. The band sold out shows in 2024, including gigs in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, London, and Seoul, with over 100,000 attendees across six dates. The Los Angeles and Brooklyn shows sold out within minutes, with the band’s community, Linkin Park Underground, securing most of the presale tickets.
Special guests like Queens of the Stone Age, Spiritbox, AFI, and PVRIS have each opened for the band on selected days, adding a fresh variety to each show. The band’s 2024 performance at The O2 Arena was hailed as a “triumphant return,” with Shinoda and Armstrong sharing the band’s struggles to get there. Another tour highlight is the São Paulo show on November 15, 2024, where the band livestreamed its first six songs with over 500,000 online viewers.
The setlist features tracks from their “From Zero” album, like “The Emptiness Machine” and “Heavy Is the Crown”, and classics like “Numb,” “In the End,” and “Faint.” The Californian band’s setlist for their show in Mexico City in January this year included 28 old and new songs and Chester’s pre-recorded vocals for “New Divide,” the 2014 version. Emily Armstrong’s vocals have received praise from fans, though some have noted that she lacks the range Bennington possessed.
The tour has also seen its share of challenges, including the cancellation of two shows in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre, both in Brazil. In addition, there was a controversial venue downgrade for their Los Angeles homecoming concert. It was initially planned for Dodger Stadium’s 56,000-capacity but was later moved to the 18,000-seat Intuit Dome because ticket sales were slower than expected. The band offered a discount of $39.50 per ticket for their North American dates, a move that sparked online debate, but the seats were filled in the end.
The “From Zero World Tour” will hit iconic venues in the United States from April 26 to May 17. The European leg of the tour will kick off in Austria’s Pannonia Fields on June 12 while fans can buy Linkin Park Hannover tickets for the show in Germany on June 16th. London’s Wembley Stadium will be the band’s next stop before the European run resumes in Germany. Other key stops include more dates in North and South America, with the tour set to conclude with three shows in Brazil.
The band’s reunion tour grossed an estimated $15 million across six arena shows in 2024, with over 100,000 tickets sold. The 2025 leg has over 50 dates and is projected to gross over $100 million due to sold-out stadiums like Wembley Stadium. The European shows, including five German dates, sold out within minutes, with 200,000 tickets sold in the UK and Germany alone. North American presales for 2025 saw similar demand, with Ticketmaster reporting record-breaking sales for Austin’s Moody Center and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
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