For its return, Linkin Park with Emily Armstrong thrills the public in concert in Paris

MUSIQUE – « From Zero ”, understand “ We start from scratch “. This Sunday, November 3, Linkin Park was in concert at Paris La Défense Arena, as part of its world tour. The opportunity for some 45,000 spectators to discover live Emily Armstrong, the new voice of the metal group which made its comeback in September by immediately announcing its new members, a new album, and a tour.

To come see Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, as well as Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain the new drummer, there were people. Paris La Défense Arena was full. The 45,000 tickets for the concert sold out in minutes. Mélanie had no other choice than to treat herself to a VIP pack for 309 euros. “ We had tried London and Hamburg, but without success. I’ve always been a fan since I was 12. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve had so many emotions with a group. So I’m out of money, but I’m here tonight », Explains the young woman. “ I want to immerse myself in the songs that have rocked me for so many years. »

In the stands and the pit of the Paris La Défense Arena, there were many foreigners: Germans, English, Spanish, Russians, but also French from all corners of France, who grasped the opportunity to come and see one of the rare dates of the tour From Zero data in Europe. Aurélien, a fan from the start, made the journey from Nantes. “ It’s a Proust madeleine, Linkin Park. Since I knew I was coming tonight, I have been listening to the songs on repeat everywhere, in the shower, on my bike. 20 years later, things haven’t changed », Explains the thirty-year-old.

The Legacy of Chester Bennington

In fact, the legacy is heavy to bear for the singer of the group Dead Sara who succeeds one of the most legendary voices in metal. An irreplaceable voice for many fans who did not hesitate to express their sadness at seeing a new head occupy the throne of Chester Bennington. The latter’s son, Jaime Bennington, had himself expressed his dissatisfaction by arguing that “we were in the process of erasing” life and legacy » from his father.

For many spectators, expectations were high. The American metal group had not performed on a French stage since 2017. It was June 18 at Hellfest, just a few weeks before the suicide of singer Chester Bennington. Nawel is present this evening with her boyfriend, they are both fans from the start. She had seen Linkin Park in 2007 on stage in Belgium less than two weeks before the singer’s death. For her, the choice of Emily Armtrong is almost obvious. I find it great that they took a woman, on the contrary. There is no obvious comparison possible for me, it’s logical continuity, and honestly, she has crazy charisma and an incredible voice. », Explains the young woman. “ Tonight I cried, it was incredible », confides Nawel a few minutes later.

« Heavy is the crown » – « Heavy is the head that wears the crown “. It’s one of the tracks from the band’s new album. From Zerowhich will be released on November 15. A song that Emily Armstrong had already performed, with her guts, on stage during the live concert broadcast on YouTube to announce the return of Linkin Park at the beginning of September. And that she sang at the top of her lungs this Sunday evening, in unison with the fans gathered in the pit and the stands. Fans who chanted his name several times, getting him many “ Merci » et « Yes yes » in the language of Molière.

A unanimous audience

The group played for 2h30, without interruption, the hits that made it so successful: Somewhere I Belong to start, Crawling, Burn It Down, Breaking The Habbit, My December, Numb, In The End, Papercutor even Bleeding Out to end the show in style. Emily Armstrong gave it her all, running up and down the stage to be as close as possible to the audience. “ There was a crazy generosity, and a crazy pleasure for them to be on stage again, you could see it on Shinoda’s face, it was contagious », specifies Tom.

Linkin Park also introduced the public to three of its new titles: The Emptyness Machine, Over Each Other et Heavy is the Crown. Songs that the spectators already knew by heart, to the delight of Mike Shinoda, the leader of the group who took the microphone. “ Thank you for all this, I see your signs, I hear you singing these songs of our new era. We compose them from the heart and you have accepted them with so much generosity all over the world, it’s incredible. »

This Sunday in Paris, the early fans were just as won over as the younger generations. “ I almost expected to be disappointed, because without Chester, I didn’t know what I was going to see. But it’s Linkin Park in fact, still, the same thrills, as when I was a teenager. Honestly, there is nothing to say », says Paul. Winning return.

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