As the temperature soars to 33°C on a blisteringly hot summer evening in London, the exceptionally warm climate is not the only catalyst. Tonight, music is indeed at the forefront as we are caught in a true battle of the wills between the timeless and the progressive. Linkin Park set ablaze Wembley Stadium with a sold-out show despite the fierce competition offered by coinciding events, including the Glastonbury festival and Iron Maiden playing at Steve Harris’ legendary home turf in West Ham.
Linkin Park
Wembley Stadium, London – 28 June 2025
Words: Dany Jones
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Following the devastating loss of Chester Bennington in 2017, the future of Linkin Park remained uncertain. The band was not only mourning a bandmate but an icon— a voice that defined an entire generation. 
The addition of Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara) as co-lead vocalist in late 2023 was met with intense scrutiny, and there is no denying that the singer has had to face a barrage of criticism that literally divided fans to the point of no return. Could anyone possibly ever fill Chester’s incredibly large shoes? To many, that was (and still is) an absolute no.
However, the singer has elegantly navigated the muddy waters with the utmost décor. An undeniable talent in her own right, Emily Armstrong has never attempted to replace the late Bennington but has wanted to add her own stamp and bring new emotion with a different sonic perspective.
The rebirth of Linkin Park 2.0 has seen one of the most triumphant of comebacks where, for the first time in history, the band have managed to blanket the entire Top 10 Billboard chart with extracts from their latest album, From Zero.
Proceedings begin with Somewhere I Belong immediately followed by an explosive Crawling that immediately set the tone with the promise of an excellent night. The sextet are visibly excited, and the energy is at fever pitch.
The new material from their latest album intertwining with the timeless classics, adds a fresh outlook and is met with equally raucous approval. It feels like the fans are finally ready to embrace and celebrate.
By the time the new The Emptiness Machine resonates through the perimeter of the stadium grounds, the song is met with the utmost thunderous reaction, and chants lift in beautiful unison.
Emily needs a moment to process where they managed to end up as a true dream come true. She takes an excitable sigh to take in the monumental emotion that poses headlining a show on holy grounds. She then tells the crowd that she is indeed having a lot of fun.
Despite the occasional interludes, some cover extracts, and the general ‘banter’ that sees a Shinoda mouthing some English slang words and playfully teasing a punter with the offering of his hat, the intensity in the performance is steady and simply electric.
By the time Up From The Bottom makes its intro, the crowd erupts into more air-hugging and massive sing-alongs.
One of the highlights of the evening has to be their fourth single, Two Faced, thrusting the fans into a whirlwind of sheer headbanging chaos. And soon the escalation is unavoidable when the brutally clamorous Casualty gives way to the timeless detonation ignited by the emblematic One Step Closer.
It is during these moments that one cannot help but wonder that Chester’s legacy will never fade away.
An introspective moment ensues with the reworking of the stunning Lost, greeting us with a stripped piano intro. A sea of lights lifts in the sky where fans listen in respectful silence.
It’s a pity that the gut-wrenching grit exploding on the chorus of the original version sung by Bennington goes amiss as the song feels a tad excessively ‘polished’.
However, Armstrong quickly regains stride with Over Each Other, showcasing the full emotion in her vocal in all of its sheer beauty.
A re-adapted Numb, is followed by an In The End that simply requires no introduction. Literally, every soul is mouthing the words while the chorus echoes in one massive chant. And here is the tease. Is this it? Is it the end, indeed?
But Linkin Park are not quite done just yet, and the encore sees the unleashing of the final assault.
The sequence Papercut, A Place For My Head, and Heavy Is The Crown is filled with urgent, raw and unapologetic energy, where once again we witness waving arms, a sea of fists lifting in the air, high jumps, and rhythmic head nods.
As the final chords of Bleed It Out fade into the summer night and thousands slowly drift out into the streets of London, one truth remains: Linkin Park have offered a generous two-hour-long set that united souls in a night of musical resurrection and emotional catharsis. A glorious evening indeed, underscored by the blanket smiles, the magic in the game of lights and the astonishingly mild weather.
As some 85,000 witnessed at Wembley Stadium tonight, it is not about emulation but about evolution.
Never mind the naysayers, for Chester will forever live on. Tonight was the healing ritual that washes away the grief and brings a new lease of life that tells us that Linkin Park 2.0 are only just getting started.
They, indeed, rightfully reclaim their throne with a victorious comeback.
