Linkin Park in concert at Paris La Défense Arena: we were there, we tell you all about it

On September 5, Linkin Park surprised everyone by announcing its return with a new opus and an international tour. A comeback that caused quite a stir. There are those who applaud and rejoice at the reformation of this great American alternative rock and nu metal band, with Emily Armstrong on vocals and Colin Brittain on drums. And the others, for whom Linkin Park cannot continue without Chester Bennington, who tragically passed away in 2017.

But one thing's for sure: Linkin Park is a surprise hit after another. The first single,"The Emptiness Machine", quickly topped the charts. The second single,"Heavy Is The Crown", also chosen as the 2024 anthem for League Of Legends, is a similar success. Since its release on September 24, the track has broken records, becoming the most listened-to anthem in video game history, with over 270 million streams and 57 million views on YouTube!

Tickets for Linkin Park concerts are also snapped up in a matter of minutes. And Paris is no exception. Despite their tenacity, many fans found themselves out of pocket, unable to get their tickets when the box office opened. For other fans, lucky enough to hold the precious sesame, they didn't have to wait long before attending this highly-anticipated show at the Paris La Défense Arena. On Sunday November 3, at around 6.30pm, the public gathered en masse around the Parisian venue to experience this reunion with Linkin Park.

At 7pm, we enter the venue, which is already packed to the rafters. On this Sunday evening, the concert is sold out and 45,000 spectators are expected. We were surprised to discover a front stage with an overhang. For their first 5 shows (Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London and Seoul), the band had opted for a more atypical configuration, with a central stage.

Although the band isn't due on stage until 8.45pm, the crowd is already well represented in the pit, divided into two sections for the occasion, with a gold pit and a classic pit. It goes without saying that many of the spectators are eager to discover the Sleep Token phenomenon live.

Chosen to support Linkin Paris in Paris, the enigmatic band is due to perform at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines on November 7. Just prior to this, Sleep Token were invited to take to the stage of Europe's largest indoor venue to kick off the festivities. Relying on an ultra-worked aesthetic, with careful lighting, black make-up and masks, Sleep Token mixes genres, between atmospheric and dark pop, alternative rock and progressive metal. It's an interesting mix, but at times we found it too confusing.

For his part, the British band's leader and vocalist, Vessel, took advantage of the 45-minute set to show the Parisian audience the full range of his vocal technique, from fragile to much more powerful.

Announced at 8.45pm, Linkin Park finally took to the stage at the Paris La Défense Arena at 9pm, surrounded by two screens on the side and two suspended screens. Unsurprisingly, Mike Shinoda, Phoenix and Joe Hahn, joined by new co-singer Emily Armstrong, drummer Colin Brittain and guitarist Alex Feder, are greeted by thunderous applause.

And the American band kicks things off with a bang, performing the unmissable " Somewhere I Belong " followed by the heady " Crawling ". The audience quickly gets into the swing of things, and the band find their feet on the large, uncluttered stage. Mike Shinoda makes no secret of the fact that he's delighted to be back on the road with his fans. The rapper and musician is smiling broadly on Sunday, a radiant smile he will keep for the rest of the set.

But the one who really took everyone's breath away was Emily Armstrong. Linkin Park's new co-singer, 38, is an imposing presence. First of all, there's her commanding stage presence and undeniable charisma. The artist, who had already proved her worth with Dead Sara, is a veritable beast of the stage, knowing perfectly how to occupy the stage, whether on the sides, in the center or on the front.

And then, of course, there's that voice, sometimes clear, sometimes powerful and raspy. If some still had doubts about her vocal prowess, Emily Armstrong has truly demonstrated that she can hold incredible notes, as on " Faint " and the excellent " Heavy Is the Crown ", the second single from Linkin Park's new album"From Zero".

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• Linkin Park: a listening session for the new album "From Zero" in Paris

The voices of Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda are also a perfect match. From that moment on, the chemistry is palpable and the magic happens. This Sunday evening, at the Paris La Défense Arena, the 6 musicians and artists unleashed the wild beasts and delivered one hit after another. We were jubilant on " New Divide ", exploded on " Burn it Down ", went into a trance on the incredible " One Step Closer ", and exulted when we heard the first notes of " The Emptiness Machine ". The first single unveiled by the band to announce their reformation, the track is a perfect example of Emily Armstrong's vocal strength.

The American band also took the opportunity to perform " Over Each Other " live for the very first time, with a female singer grabbing her guitar. The third single to be taken from"From Zero", the track is less explosive and more pop-oriented than its predecessors. However, live, the track is easy to listen to, and even comes as a (pleasant) surprise.

Opting for a perfectly balanced setlist packed with hits, Linkin Park also treated us to a beautiful moment on stage, with a gentle acoustic rendition of " My December ". Emotions guaranteed!

But the evening really takes off when Linkin Park strings together three timeless hits: " Numb ", " In the End " and " Faint ". Three tracks, sublimated by a laser show, that literally take us back to our teenage emotions. Three tracks that prove that the band made the right decision to reform and to rely on the breathtaking Emily Armstrong. For it is difficult, if not impossible, to compare Chester Bennington and the new singer. And the audience seems to be won over and delighted. Just look at the warm welcome fans gave Emily Armstrong on Sunday evening. Her name was even shouted unanimously during the concert.

In the audience, the fans - both French and foreign - make no secret of their delight at being there. As cell phones lit up the immense Paris La Défense Arena, a few small circle pits formed in various parts of the pit. A euphoric crowd that Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda thanked several times on Sunday evening. A special mention goes to the musician and rapper, who threw himself into the water by reading, in near-perfect French, a short text of thanks written by his new sidekick.

After 1h45 of show, Linkin Park left the stage before returning a few minutes later for the one and only encore. But what an encore! We thought the band had exhausted all their hits. But we were wrong. Linkin Park still had plenty left in the tank, and they proved it with a powerful performance of " Papercut ", " Heavy Is the Crown " and the mighty " Bleed It Out ".

As if to round off this thunderous, breathtaking and successful show in style, Emily Armstrong takes a little leap into the air from Colin's drum kit. And together, on the front of the stage, the 6 members gather to greet the audience one last time and thank them for their welcome, marking a truly new era for Linkin Park!

Setlist
Somewhere I Belong
Crawling
Points of Authority
LyingFrom You
New Divide
The Emptiness Machine
The Catalyst
Burn It Down
Waiting for the End
Castle of Glass
Joe Hahn Solo
When They Come for Me / Remember the Name
OverEach Other
Lost in the Echo
Given Up
One Step Closer
Lost
Breaking the Habit
What I've Done
Leave Out All the Rest
My December (acoustic)
Friendly Fire
Numb
In the End
Faint

Rappel
Papercut
Heavy Is the Crown
Bleed It Out