Happy Linkin Park Day

[LPLStaff]

Happy Linkin Park Day to all who celebrate the band's surprise comeback one year ago today.

 

 

Where were you when you were watching? What do you think one year later?

[LinkinPark2020]

Crazy it’s already been 1 year

[silverwing]

The band just posted a nice short backstage video on instagram.

The feeling of that week is something i won't feel ever again, the hype on the day is unmatched, waiting for the stream and all of that. 
When Em started to sing i instantly thought: Yeah, she is and feels Linkin Park. This is Linkin Park.  Even though Emptiness Machine didn't felt special at first, it didn't catch me instantly.

I loved all of it, didn't even notice at the time the voice cracks or stuff like that, didn't mind at all. It was an emocional experience, not a technical one.

So many people messaging me that usually didn't, old friends and such, cause i am know by them as the "linkin park guy".

One of the greatest emotions/feelings of my life. And i tried to be rational about it, is it right to feel so much for a band? But i can't help myself, it's a part of who i am.

Edited September 5 by silverwing

[capoofan3]

56 minutes ago, LinkinPark2020 said:

Crazy it’s already been 1 year

Yeah it doesn't feel like it's been that long.

[xxHybridXeroxx]

I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Wow. I’ve had such a great experience and a lot of fun this past year. Seeing the shows, meeting new friends, following the tour online, new recordings. All of it. I hope it continues for awhile… I had no idea how much I actually missed it all until they actually came back.

[Yucker]

I was at a trivial game at a bar here in my city that night when I asked to my partners that I have to leave because I have a very important apointment. I took my earphones, plugged them in and sit at the border of the street between two cars when the stream started. I don't remember if I cried at the moment but then, walking back home with a friend, we both were listening and watching the show in my phone with an earphone each one and I do know that I cried somewhere in between.

 

Emily didn't got me at first, but now I don't conceive LP without her. 

 

It's good to see you again.

[gorast]

That first week leading up to and through the return announcement show was truly amazing. I was not really a fan of the pre-announcement countdown tomfoolery (to say the least lol), but once that live stream started and the first notes of Emptiness Machine hit, none of that bullshit mattered any more.

 

The thing that really strikes me a year out from the return is how normal it all feels to me now. It's almost like that seven year gap didn't happen - Linkin Park is just touring and active like they always were. That, obviously, is not really the case, because the band is pretty different now, but I think they've put a lot of work into normalizing this new iteration of the band, and I think it's worked. Emily is a great fit and a great singer, Colin's done a great job melding in too, the live shows look incredible. I say "look" because the band decided their only date within like 800 miles of me was going to be fucking Rockville so I haven't seen the new band live yet, but hopefully that'll change next tour. I'm not bitter about that at all, certainly not...

[Vinescence]

About 20 minutes before the livestream, I put on my Linkin Park t-shirt and trousers, turn both the TV and the speakers on.

 

As time goes by, anxiety is crippling in as I read on twitter that there are chants on the livestream. I quickly turn the volume up.

I absolutely freak out when I see there are instruments on stage and realize it is true: Linkin Park is back! After 7 years!

 

The show starts and, not gonna lie, I'm first bummed out because no Brad and no Rob (the latter kinda expected). 

 

"It's good to see you again" - Mike Shinoda tells us and it's like I'm in heaven. The Emptiness Machine starts and I'm not processing there's a brand new Linkin Park song. Don't know if I like it or not, too emotional to think. Second verse comes in and bang: Emily Armstrong! "Holy shit, the rumors were true!" Kinda wish I hadn't heard about her before, because I spent that afternoon listening to Dead Sara. I would have been more surprised, but it doesn't matter. I love her voice, I'm already sold.

 

New song, new video, new album, tour dates: oh boy, how have I missed all of this!

 

[JerseyShore]

I agree with all of the above comments. Crazy that it's been a year already. What a run. 

 

I'll never forget the lead up to it, the rumors, the hype slowing growing, the teasers, and the start of the stream. Was sitting outside my house just in disbelief that Linkin Park was actually getting on stage and performing again. The opening with TEM and delayed Emily reveal was wild. Felt like I blacked out.

 

For those of us that have basically listened to at least one LP song everyday for 20+ years it was a rush that the band was continuing forward. A entire new album announcement almost gave me a stroke of excitement.

 

Thanks to the LPL staff and community for coming together this last year and bringing the same energy and excitement that the band has brought us. 

[FelixSFD]

I was at home. The stream started at midnight. I was shaking and started jumping around all the time. I still get chills when I hear the "It's good to see you again" part.

 

I immediately loved TEM and after SIB, I was sure: we need Em. 💜 Only when I heard the first notes of Lost, I was a bit worried: this song means so much to me that I was sure she will not meet my standards for that song. Even though I really wanted to like her. Well, a few seconds later, she proved me wrong by singing this incredible piano version. 🥹 I started crying after like two lines.

 

During the stream, people noticed that the tour dates were already online. I saw Hamburg, couldn't believe my eyes, made a screenshot and sent it to friends and family saying I will be there. No matter if they join me or not. (which they didn't)

 

The next day at work was not very productive though... 😂 I operated on maybe 4h of sleep because there was no way I was able to sleep after that stream.

[Hybrid1988]

I'll never forget walking into that air conditioned soundstage from the 100 degree Burbank heat and seeing that stage and the instruments wrapped in plastic. I knew at that moment that a new era was beginning. I still get chills thinking about it. 

[bloodbath]

Prior to the show, that September 5th was proving to be one of the worst days of my life, the icing on the cake on top of an awful 2024. I really needed to connect to the streaming for whatever LP were planning. The result? The show itself, the comeback tour and this forum were some of the few things I can save from that shitty year. 

 

Watching the show meant a moment of peace, the feeling of being in a safe haven, that not even a horrible year could grab the concert from me. 

[hybridcloudyfz]

mannn i wish i could've watched the stream live that day, i wonder how much of a different experience it would've been, i was at and event for my school while it was streamed & couldn't at the time. i actually ended up figuring out about emily for the first time not from the stream, but from a news article that was on my google homepage before i got home, since i was planning to sit down and watch the stream recording all at once. i actually just remembered that i heard TEM before watching the stream as well. since i had seen the article beforehand & figured out about the song, i ended up listening to it first, whoops 😂 so so strange to think that was already a year ago, i mean so much has happened between now and then. not sure how long it took for me to cry while watching it, but honestly i don't remember too much about my initial reaction to it because of the fact that half of the time i was sobbing. planning on re-watching it tonight to celebrate, a year ago i would've never thought that i'd ever get the chance to see this band live  i joined lplive the next day too, remembered that as well 😂

[alou2367]

I was just glad at the time that it was someone who could sing rock songs because I had read a comment just before the stream that there was a leaked audio clip of K.Flay. I don't know much about her but I knew her from Post Traumatic and I knew that wasn't the voice I would have wanted.

 

A year later I have been to 2 shows and the novelty has worn off somewhat which is natural. The hedonic treadmill.

 

It took a while to warm to the new album, I didn't like it at first but now it is a very easy listen from start to finish. 

Edited September 5 by alou2367

[AceWav]

For me it felt like I was jabbed with a revive stim after the countdown took me out. 😂
 

I watched the whole thing with speakers blasting in my home studio. I had the LPlive chat box open and experiencing it with many of yall. That epic return was some emotional shit. It was funny watching the speed of their YouTube chat 😂 holy crap. 

[thigolpbr]

I watched it at home.
It's a mix of "How cool to see the band back!"
and at the same time, without a doubt, the band's worst performance.
But I also understand Emily's weight and nervousness, so I understand.

[yagamilight207]

2 hours ago, AceWav said:

For me it felt like I was jabbed with a revive stim after the countdown took me out. 😂
 

I watched the whole thing with speakers blasting in my home studio. I had the LPlive chat box open and experiencing it with many of yall. That epic return was some emotional shit. It was funny watching the speed of their YouTube chat 😂 holy crap. 

lol the intermittent crashing of the chatbox and LPLive itself was wild.

suddenly all the 7 years of web traffic came crashing like a tsunami.

 

 

[yagamilight207]

For me the livestream started at 6am.

Imagine being the neighbors of a a LP fan who blasted the tv in early morning.

Cried during Numb and Lost as it was very emotional hearing it again live.

I can only imagine how those that were able to attend at the event must have felt. 

 

 

[javignacio]

I felt something in me had revived. One of the best feelings ever

[misterx92]

the day that broke the entire internet

[leftshoe18]

The moment Mike said, "It's good to see you again," was the first of several moments that put me in tears during the return show. It's impossible to quantify what this band means to me. Getting them back a year ago was a dream. The hype cycle for the album, including getting to attend the prerelease listening party, was something I never thought I'd get to experience with Linkin Park again. The fact they were not only back, but also had new music for us (and it was good) was miraculous. The Emptiness Machine is still in heavy rotation for me a year later and sits among my favorite Linkin Park songs. The world has accepted Emily as the new voice of the band, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. It's unfortunate financial troubles this year prevented me from attending my first Linkin Park show this summer, but I'll get my chance soon enough - something I thought impossible just over a year ago. I love this band - past, present, and future. Can't wait for LP9.

Edited September 6 by leftshoe18

[BartBart91]

On 9/6/2025 at 3:22 AM, leftshoe18 said:

The moment Mike said, "It's good to see you again," was the first of several moments that put me in tears during the return show. It's impossible to quantify what this band means to me. Getting them back a year ago was a dream. The hype cycle for the album, including getting to attend the prerelease listening party, was something I never thought I'd get to experience with Linkin Park again. The fact they were not only back, but also had new music for us (and it was good) was miraculous. The Emptiness Machine is still in heavy rotation for me a year later and sits among my favorite Linkin Park songs. The world has accepted Emily as the new voice of the band, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. It's unfortunate financial troubles this year prevented me from attending my first Linkin Park show this summer, but I'll get my chance soon enough - something I thought impossible just over a year ago. I love this band - past, present, and future. Can't wait for LP9.

 

What do you mean by LP9?

[leftshoe18]

On 9/8/2025 at 3:58 AM, BartBart91 said:

 

What do you mean by LP9?

 

the band's ninth album

[BartBart91]

12 hours ago, leftshoe18 said:

 

the band's ninth album

 

Okay, that makes sense. I didn't even think about that.