Show: Linkin Park
Date: February 23, 2011
Venue: Staple Center
City: Los Angeles, CA
Linkin Park
Photos by Nicolas Bates
Written by Michelle Oberg
Bands like Linkin Park need no introduction. Even if you don’t like them, you’ve heard their music, know their sound, and expect nothing but radio hits. Well, the time has passed where it is no longer “cool” to like them – now you can’t help but like them. With over 30 Billboard hits in under 15 years, and holding the #19 title of “Artist of the Decade,” their live shows have only grown in venue size, fan attendance, stage set-up elaboration, and perfection of their stage personas and sound. It isn’t very often bands have the opportunity or fan base to play and fill Staples Center in Los Angeles, but the magnitude that is Linkin Park needs an arena large enough to hold 20,000 people. Many concert-goers traveled from as far as San Diego to see the masters of chart-topping tunes hard at work, and their European alternative dance-punk counterpart The Prodigy.
Smoke machines bellowed white clouds from above the stage as The Prodigy opened up the evening’s event. They took forth to a ¼ of the stage acting out their wild, most animalistic, dance movements while entertaining the rampant audience with such tracks as “Breathe,” “Firestarter,” and “Smack My Bitch Up.” Though their sound was impressively record worthy, the underground rave lighting approach gave the prominent possibility of becoming an epileptic and me having my first seizure (many fans agreed). The Prodigy set the energetic tone that everyone hoped to have coursing through their veins as they anticipated the evening’s later performance.
Digital animated projections of rising suns, on behalf of the appropriately titled tour “A Thousand Suns,” shined about as the chart-toppers enter from stage right. Hiding beneath giant tarps draped throughout the stage were a sky-high drum riser, a pair of well-spaced out keyboards, and risers at various tier levels with too many entry stair options to count. Chester Bennington (vocals), Mike Shinoda (vocals/rhythm guitar/keyboard), Rob Bourdon (skins), Brad Delson (lead guitar), Dave “Phoenix” Farrell (bass guitar), and Joe “Mr. Hahn” Hahn (turntables/ivories/samples) wasted no time upon entry to begin their 25 song set. The alternative rap-rock sextet indulged an intensely orate and rampant crowd with multiple guitar changes, spine-chilling, echoing vocals mixed with screaming, megaphone usage, and beats coming from Hahn, Bourdon, and the 808 drum machine. Songs like “The Catalyst,” “Papercut,” and “Numb” had the entire arena on their feet singing, screaming, and dancing along – though that is typical procedure, considering all the aforementioned history they have with knowing how to keep an audience entertained.
As they close in on retiring from the evening’s great success, one thing is notably unquestionable about Linkin Park: this band plays with fire but does not get burned out. Their innovative instrumental techniques, socially coherent lyrics, and individual artistry help complete the process by which a super band’s live performance leaves one wanting more. “New Divide” embodies everyone’s ability to contribute proportionately to a song ripe with great musicianship. This live show receives 5 stars for their capability of making one feel as if they’re listening to a record, and providing a visually appealing performance of uncommonly talented musicians. The only thing missing on this chilly night in LA was Jay Z.