Linkin Park In Concert
Show Date: March 2, 2011
Venue: The American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
I’ll be the first to admit that I was a bit self-conscious about going to see Linkin Park. I assumed that I would stand out like a neon light in a sea of young fans. So, I brought a friend along who is roughly the same age and we headed to see one of the biggest draws in the music business these days. I shouldn’t have been so concerned because I saw almost all age groups representing all economic strata at the show.
We showed up at the American Airlines Center fashionably late so I missed the first opening act, Paper Tongues. The second opening act, Circa Survive, did a good job pumping up the crowd for the main event. I’m just not sure that the band’s lead singer, Anthony Green, should have screamed into microphone that the PCP he allegedly took might have affected his perception of the crowd. I’m just sayin’ . . .
When Linkin Park hit the stage, they were greeted by an explosive roar from the enthusiastic crowd of (reportedly) over 12,000 fans. The folks in the mosh pit formerly known as the main floor went into action and, at times were almost as entertaining as the main attraction.
The band was incredibly tight and Chester Bennington’s vocals were as strong and scary good as ever. And I do mean “scary good”. The dude put some serious, scary screams just when I thought his voice couldn’t put out any more. I would definitely hate to be in a shouting match with that guy. But back to his vocals: It was if Bennington wanted to more than make up for the fact that the band had to postpone their original February show. If that was what his intent was, he exceeded his objective. If every entertainer would pour themselves into their shows as Chester did Wednesday night, the concert world would be a better place.
I was especially impressed with Rob Bourdon’s drum work. Drummers are often the least appreciated musician but Bourdon’s steady attack of the skins was especially noteworthy. Oh, and his band mates weren’t too shabby, either. Brad Delson’s handling of the axe and backup vocals delivered exactly what the crowd expected plus some. Phoenix Farrell’s steady bottom riffs rattled the crowd to their very core with Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda finishing the musical landscape with their incredible keyboards.
From the opening sounds of The Requiem and the crowd-motivating Faint, to In the End, Waiting For The End, all the way through the six song encore (which included Empty Spaces, Papercut and One Step Closer), the crowd soaked in the sounds and savored every moment.
As my friend and I were leaving the arena, we had to make our way around the massive crowds at the merchandise booths, laughing, cutting up and obviously pleased with what Linkin Park dished out to them. What a night!
