LPU sucks and I can't be silent about it anymore

[Alexonlyalex]

I genuinely don't understand how Linkin Park Underground gets away with being this fucking bad.

It's been almost TWO YEARS since LP came back, and what has LPU actually become?

It took them something like 18 MONTHS just to implement the Discord account connection properly so the fucking LPU-only Discord channel works.

Eighteen months!!!!!!

To connect a paid membership to a Discord role.

For the official fan club of one of the biggest bands on the planet.

And after all that, what do we actually get?

A Discord channel.

Ticket presales.

Maybe early entry at selected shows.

Access to an exclusive store where you can... give them more money.

A merch discount so you can... give them more money.

A rewards system based around buying merch so you can eventually get credit toward... buying more merch.(which is not even implemented)

And after staying subscribed for TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, your big loyalty reward is:

:drumroll:

ANOTHER FUCKING TICKET PRESALE TIER.

Amazing.

Where is the actual FAN CLUB?

Where is the new exclusive LPU music?

Where are the demos and annual releases that used to make LPU special?

Where are the proper band AMAs?

Where are the chats with band members?

Where are the LPU live sessions?

Where is the genuinely exclusive behind-the-scenes content?

Where are the Meet & Greets?

Where is the feeling that you're actually closer to LINKIN PARK because you're part of LINKIN PARK UNDERGROUND?

Instead, the current music benefit is basically access to archived LPU material in shitty quality and shitty UX.

We're paying a recurring subscription to access the history of a fan club that used to give its members more than the current fan club does.

That's fucking insane.

LPU used to mean demos, unreleased tracks, physical fan packages, Meet & Greet opportunities, exclusive content and actual interaction with the band.

Now you pay every year and half the “benefits” boil down to:

PAY MONEY → GET ACCESS TO BUY THINGS
BUY MERCH → GET DISCOUNT
BUY MORE MERCH → GET POINTS
BUY TICKETS → MAYBE GET EARLY ENTRY
STAY SUBSCRIBED FOR YEARS → GET TO BUY TICKETS EARLIER

So we're basically paying for the privilege of being marketed to.

And don't even get me started on the website.

It's embarrassing.

It took 18 months to get a Discord membership connection working and the actual website still feels like something I could shit out in an afternoon.

This isn't some tiny fan project being maintained by two people after work, which arguably would be better if it was....

This is LINKIN PARK.

One of the biggest bands of the last 25 years.

Its so frustrating... we should absolutely pay for LPU if they actually PUT SOMETHING INTO IT.

Give us studio diaries.

Give us rough demos.

Give us unfinished songs.

Give us rehearsal footage.

Give us proper long-form band Q&As.

Give us member livestreams.

Give us production breakdowns.

Have Mike open some ancient Pro Tools session and talk through it for an hour.

Literally just make it feel like a FAN CLUB.

Instead LPU increasingly feels like a paid loyalty program attached to the Linkin Park store and ticket presales.

How shamelessly they're willing to milk the hardcore fans while seemingly putting the absolute minimum effort back into the actual membership is beyond me.

And somehow barely anyone talks about it.

 

No. I'm done. I will not resubscribe.

[JZLP9CharlesMarcia]

hard to add anything to this spectacular post you are 10000% right 

 

LPU used to make me feel closer to the band the pre-sale and early entry features are really good not gonna lie.

 

I miss the spirit of the OLD Lpu even the forums were really good.

[xxHybridXeroxx]

I also agree… wish they’d at the very least bring the LPU CDs back 

[Rasputin 93]

Even if it wasn't demos, at least *some* kind of exclusive media would be great, be it live, studio, instrumentals, remix stems, etc.

[Stranger]

just got an email from LPU last night regarding renewal membership. i might be afraid that i lose my LPU Legacy status if i dont renew. but the status seems nothing except an advance sales for LP upcoming shows which we dont know when yet. maybe we got nothing until next year LPU. so, what's the benefits of renewing this year LPU other than LPU Legacy status?

 

Adam & Lorenzo should think of something to keep LPU heat up or they will lose the members. remember when i bought LPU9 bundles, it's the best thing ever. as kid who managed to work part-timers and save up money, buying something that really worth, it's a great moment. but as years goes by, LPU not even ship their bundles/merch to my country ever (Adam keep gave the reason of "your country not listed because too many fraud"). i mean, they should do something bout it. 

[Trumtram]

The LPU packages way back were so cool. Even though it took forever until they arrived, getting them and going through everything was so thrilling and fun. Haven't been a member since forever, but reading this is depressing. There is so much they could do, but they choose not to, for some reason. But I guess your assessment tracks: "So we're basically paying for the privilege of being marketed to."

I get why they don't do M&G anymore. But man, having met them multiple times is something I'll always remember, especially those times when these M&G were so SMALL (like, 30 people at most or something).

It sucks that they amped up the commercial aspect of the band so much, but c'est la vie... Again: Vote with your wallet, even if that means having to miss out on something. It's the only way.

[BeardyWilderness]

There’s a name I don’t see very often! How’s it going Alex?

Mad to think it was 16 years ago we were hanging out in Germany!

[Vinescence]

While I agree the LPU has been sub-par, I gotta admit the presale tickets and early entry are great...especially for only $10.

I may waste $10 this next year? Probably, I doubt they're playing my country soon. I've wasted more money on worse things lol

 

There were some random listening parties for the LPU in 2024, which is something exclusive.

Enough? Not even close

 

8 hours ago, Trumtram said:

The LPU packages way back were so cool. Even though it took forever until they arrived, getting them and going through everything was so thrilling and fun

They still exist, I just don't believe it's worth my money

[xxHybridXeroxx]

3 minutes ago, Vinescence said:

I gotta admit the presale tickets and early entry are great...especially for only $10.

This is good for $10. That is honestly reasonable for all they offer these days.

 

really wish we’d start getting exclusive content again. 

[Alexonlyalex]

30 minutes ago, Vinescence said:

While I agree the LPU has been sub-par, I gotta admit the presale tickets and early entry are great...especially for only $10.

I may waste $10 this next year? Probably, I doubt they're playing my country soon. I've wasted more money on worse things lol

 

There were some random listening parties for the LPU in 2024, which is something exclusive.

Enough? Not even close

 

They still exist, I just don't believe it's worth my money

Are you 100% sure, you get that with 10$ sub? I remember I had to upgrade.

Edit: yup...its 25$ to pay them 180€...how generous

Edited August 31 by Alexonlyalex

[JZLP9CharlesMarcia]

9 hours ago, Trumtram said:

The LPU packages way back were so cool. Even though it took forever until they arrived, getting them and going through everything was so thrilling and fun. Haven't been a member since forever, but reading this is depressing. There is so much they could do, but they choose not to, for some reason. But I guess your assessment tracks: "So we're basically paying for the privilege of being marketed to."

I get why they don't do M&G anymore. But man, having met them multiple times is something I'll always remember, especially those times when these M&G were so SMALL (like, 30 people at most or something).

It sucks that they amped up the commercial aspect of the band so much, but c'est la vie... Again: Vote with your wallet, even if that means having to miss out on something. It's the only way.

they are selling masking tape for 25 and people are buying that shit ASAP lol

 

they are making more money selling individual stuff 

 

I miss the feeling of opening an LPU package.

[Vinescence]

6 hours ago, Alexonlyalex said:

Are you 100% sure, you get that with 10$ sub? I remember I had to upgrade.

Edit: yup...its 25$ to pay them 180€...how generous

You got me here 🫠

Maybe it was $10 at some point in the past? I should not trust my memory again

[KConNZ]

Great post Alex. 2025/2026 membership cost me $100 NZD ($75 sub/$25 shipping) I like having the bundles in my ever-growing LP collection, but you wait a year to receive them, by which time the next years sub is due. I like that I got access to pre-sale From Zero tour tickets and luckily got chosen to attend the LPU From Zero night before the concert, but for me to purchase any merch, I have to consider the hike in price to cover shipping, so there is my deterant unfortunately. All the emails I get are for merch ... nothing else 😔 I would like something other than that.

[Cesar656]

On one end you are absolutely correct. More than anything I miss demos, cd's and meet and greets.

On the other hand; early pre-sale, and early entry are INCREDIBLE features. I like my comforts, I aint waking up at 5am to sit down in a queue. I go there at early entry time, watch openers and watch the show from the barricade. That, for me, is luxury

[Capacity]

On 8/30/2026 at 12:46 PM, Alexonlyalex said:

I genuinely don't understand how Linkin Park Underground gets away with being this fucking bad.

It's been almost TWO YEARS since LP came back, and what has LPU actually become?

It took them something like 18 MONTHS just to implement the Discord account connection properly so the fucking LPU-only Discord channel works.

Eighteen months!!!!!!

To connect a paid membership to a Discord role.

For the official fan club of one of the biggest bands on the planet.

And after all that, what do we actually get?

A Discord channel.

Ticket presales.

Maybe early entry at selected shows.

Access to an exclusive store where you can... give them more money.

A merch discount so you can... give them more money.

A rewards system based around buying merch so you can eventually get credit toward... buying more merch.(which is not even implemented)

And after staying subscribed for TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, your big loyalty reward is:

:drumroll:

ANOTHER FUCKING TICKET PRESALE TIER.

Amazing.

Where is the actual FAN CLUB?

Where is the new exclusive LPU music?

Where are the demos and annual releases that used to make LPU special?

Where are the proper band AMAs?

Where are the chats with band members?

Where are the LPU live sessions?

Where is the genuinely exclusive behind-the-scenes content?

Where are the Meet & Greets?

Where is the feeling that you're actually closer to LINKIN PARK because you're part of LINKIN PARK UNDERGROUND?

Instead, the current music benefit is basically access to archived LPU material in shitty quality and shitty UX.

We're paying a recurring subscription to access the history of a fan club that used to give its members more than the current fan club does.

That's fucking insane.

LPU used to mean demos, unreleased tracks, physical fan packages, Meet & Greet opportunities, exclusive content and actual interaction with the band.

Now you pay every year and half the “benefits” boil down to:

PAY MONEY → GET ACCESS TO BUY THINGS
BUY MERCH → GET DISCOUNT
BUY MORE MERCH → GET POINTS
BUY TICKETS → MAYBE GET EARLY ENTRY
STAY SUBSCRIBED FOR YEARS → GET TO BUY TICKETS EARLIER

So we're basically paying for the privilege of being marketed to.

And don't even get me started on the website.

It's embarrassing.

It took 18 months to get a Discord membership connection working and the actual website still feels like something I could shit out in an afternoon.

This isn't some tiny fan project being maintained by two people after work, which arguably would be better if it was....

This is LINKIN PARK.

One of the biggest bands of the last 25 years.

Its so frustrating... we should absolutely pay for LPU if they actually PUT SOMETHING INTO IT.

Give us studio diaries.

Give us rough demos.

Give us unfinished songs.

Give us rehearsal footage.

Give us proper long-form band Q&As.

Give us member livestreams.

Give us production breakdowns.

Have Mike open some ancient Pro Tools session and talk through it for an hour.

Literally just make it feel like a FAN CLUB.

Instead LPU increasingly feels like a paid loyalty program attached to the Linkin Park store and ticket presales.

How shamelessly they're willing to milk the hardcore fans while seemingly putting the absolute minimum effort back into the actual membership is beyond me.

And somehow barely anyone talks about it.

 

No. I'm done. I will not resubscribe.

All I can say about your post is: Amen

[Chris]

The reality is that the older fans need to put their money where their mouth is if they want old school LPU.

 

LPU has shifted this way because it is the new tried-and-true formula for fan club profits. And since the newer, younger fans often don't even know what they're missing, there's zero reason for things to change. Unless there's actually a significant shift this will continue because it helps the band's bottom line considerably. Less exclusive fulfillment, lower overhead, etc.

 

VIP and fan club programs in 2026 simply aren't what they were in the pre-streaming era. They aren't nice extra perks as much anymore, but increasingly important revenue streams alongside touring, helping fund projects since royalties and physical sales have shrunk. The industry has adapted by extracting more out of superfans and Linkin Park is following suit. For better or worse (I'd say worse as a fan).

 

I wish the band would stand out more since historically they had a fantastic fan club. But as others have said, unless people vote with their wallets, there's little incentive to change the model. They've likely been heavily advised on this by management and business management. This is what works when people continue to subscribe and put their money into the program.

Edited September 1 by Chris

[PhoenixDown]

On 8/30/2026 at 1:46 PM, Alexonlyalex said:

I genuinely don't understand how Linkin Park Underground gets away with being this fucking bad.

It's been almost TWO YEARS since LP came back, and what has LPU actually become?

It took them something like 18 MONTHS just to implement the Discord account connection properly so the fucking LPU-only Discord channel works.

Eighteen months!!!!!!

To connect a paid membership to a Discord role.

For the official fan club of one of the biggest bands on the planet.

And after all that, what do we actually get?

A Discord channel.

Ticket presales.

Maybe early entry at selected shows.

Access to an exclusive store where you can... give them more money.

A merch discount so you can... give them more money.

A rewards system based around buying merch so you can eventually get credit toward... buying more merch.(which is not even implemented)

And after staying subscribed for TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, your big loyalty reward is:

:drumroll:

ANOTHER FUCKING TICKET PRESALE TIER.

Amazing.

Where is the actual FAN CLUB?

Where is the new exclusive LPU music?

Where are the demos and annual releases that used to make LPU special?

Where are the proper band AMAs?

Where are the chats with band members?

Where are the LPU live sessions?

Where is the genuinely exclusive behind-the-scenes content?

Where are the Meet & Greets?

Where is the feeling that you're actually closer to LINKIN PARK because you're part of LINKIN PARK UNDERGROUND?

Instead, the current music benefit is basically access to archived LPU material in shitty quality and shitty UX.

We're paying a recurring subscription to access the history of a fan club that used to give its members more than the current fan club does.

That's fucking insane.

LPU used to mean demos, unreleased tracks, physical fan packages, Meet & Greet opportunities, exclusive content and actual interaction with the band.

Now you pay every year and half the “benefits” boil down to:

PAY MONEY → GET ACCESS TO BUY THINGS
BUY MERCH → GET DISCOUNT
BUY MORE MERCH → GET POINTS
BUY TICKETS → MAYBE GET EARLY ENTRY
STAY SUBSCRIBED FOR YEARS → GET TO BUY TICKETS EARLIER

So we're basically paying for the privilege of being marketed to.

And don't even get me started on the website.

It's embarrassing.

It took 18 months to get a Discord membership connection working and the actual website still feels like something I could shit out in an afternoon.

This isn't some tiny fan project being maintained by two people after work, which arguably would be better if it was....

This is LINKIN PARK.

One of the biggest bands of the last 25 years.

Its so frustrating... we should absolutely pay for LPU if they actually PUT SOMETHING INTO IT.

Give us studio diaries.

Give us rough demos.

Give us unfinished songs.

Give us rehearsal footage.

Give us proper long-form band Q&As.

Give us member livestreams.

Give us production breakdowns.

Have Mike open some ancient Pro Tools session and talk through it for an hour. That would feel more like a fan club than another presale perk or store discount. The problem is not paying, it is paying and getting almost nothing that feels made for the hardcore crowd. I get the same reaction with membership-style offers elsewhere. On Tropical Casino https://tropical-casino.com/ I would care more about useful player perks, clear loyalty rewards and access that actually changes the experience than another banner saying “exclusive.” If LPU wants to charge like a premium club, it should probably start behaving like one.

And somehow barely anyone talks about it.

 

No. I'm done. I will not resubscribe.

I think the biggest problem is that LPU used to give you things you genuinely could not get anywhere else. That made the membership feel like being part of something rather than just paying for better access to the store and ticket queue.

I do understand why some of the old perks are harder now. Meet and greets with a band this big are probably much more complicated than they were twenty years ago, and nobody should expect a full album of unreleased material every year. But there is so much middle ground they are barely touching.

Studio footage, demo breakdowns, rehearsal clips, longer interviews, archive commentary from the band, livestreams, even Mike opening an old session and explaining how a song came together would cost relatively little compared with what fans would get out of it.

That is what makes the current setup disappointing. It is not really about wanting more free stuff. People are already paying specifically because they want a closer connection to the band, and most of the benefits seem designed around giving them another opportunity to spend money.

The Discord situation is especially hard to defend. If you are charging recurring membership fees, the basic membership infrastructure should not take a year and a half to function properly.

I would probably feel differently if there were a clear sense that LPU was being rebuilt into something substantial. Right now I can understand why somebody who remembers the older version would look at the current membership and ask what exactly they are paying for.

Edited September 1 by PhoenixDown

[bloodbath]

Seems like LPU still on hiatus since 2017, not bad.