I wasn’t planning on writing a review about the Paris gig, feeling like I had already said it all after Wembley but it turned out to be one of the best concerts of my life so I guess that’s more than reason enough to bring you back with me to that pit.
Post gig depression is a thing and if you’re reading those lines I know I definitely don’t need to prove my point. But sometimes, just sometimes, you get that one perfect gig that sends you so high you never come back down. It’s been more than a week since my last Linkin Park gig of the year, and yet the Stade de France is still echoing in my ears. That feeling we usually all end up craving for more is still very much lingering. It’s been a week and I’m still there. That’s how good that last date in Europe was.
I was lucky enough to see those guys back in November at La Défense, so even though we can all agree that Germany is Linkin Park country, we do love that band. A lot. I knew the Frenchies would show up and give their all to claim that title. And trust me, they did.
ONE OK ROCK certainly lit the fire with their amazing set, sending us on a path there was no coming back from. The appearance of a certain drummer on guitar on their last song WE ARE set ablaze the last recalcitrant fans in the stadium and that roar from the crowd set the tone for the rest of the evening.
We are here, we are ready, and we might well be the ones who will rock your pants off tonight Linkin Park. From the giant wave travelling across the stadium, to the cheers to the crew prepping the stage or the columns of cups rising from the pit left and right, it was only a matter of time before the french crowd did what they do best. Turn any given situation into one hell of a party. And when the infamous countdown showed up along with the Emily in Paris theme blaring on PA, there were no doubts left that this night would be the most fun we could have.
The French aren’t the most patient people, but we sure know how to make the most of it to keep us entertained. So we counted down from 10 to 0. Every single minute. Apologies if anyone was on that last bathroom dash really because we prob gave a few anxiety attacks with this bit. Ha. We’re funny fuckers what can I say.
And by the time we hit that last 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BONNE ANNÉE – told you, funny fuckers – it truly felt like Time Square on New year’s Eve.
And here we go for the h… last time. That chorus of Castle of Glass travelling softly throughout the electricity in the air – and I always take it as a reminder to be in the moment. No matter how high you soar or how big you get, that fragility remains. We know it too well.
No time to reflect for too long, Somewhere I belong makes it all worth it and hits you full force – which is such a perfect opener seriously, summing-up exactly that exact moment. Thanks Colin for bringing back this one.
And the audience is definitely taking it literally but I think it really clicks for both band and crowd on Crawling.
I guess there are those hints for any artist on stage, those particular moments or that very specific lyric on which they just know what kind of gig they’re gonna get.
The crowd certainly didn’t sound so insecure and even though you couldn’t necessarily hear it all from the front row where I stood, I could sure feel it vibrating in my bones. The whole stadium took off, our voices already raw two songs in and we sealed the deal to make it the best night right there.
Not even Emily’s shades could hide the twinkle in her eye, instant smile on her face, and frankly her whole body language going from cool act cat to holy shit let’s go people.
And so we did. Stealing that song for just a minute with our roaring voices filling the Parisian sky, or maybe she was just kind enough to let that moment be ours too.
The party carried on with Up From The Bottom that will make you dance and bounce around like a toddler on a sugar rush – or a Shinoda after too many energy drinks, followed by the cathartic Lying From You forever engraved in any fan’s mind, circling back to the present with The Emptiness Machine.
A blend of past and present that works perfectly together and has that special little magic of bringing us together. No matter how long you’ve been on that ride, old and new fans singing just as loud, smiling just as wide, and having the time of their freaking life. That’s a very cool thing to experience.
And The Catalyst coming up next made it all the more true. A lot of people who don’t listen to this band don’t realise they do have hymns, and that’s definitely one of them. Pro tip : that’s a good one to use on your mom next time she complains about your screamy music too.
Lights going up around the stadium, that feeling of belonging settling on the crowd, a moment suspended in time silencing the world for just a minute and that sense of unity you’ll only get in that particular setting. I often describe great gigs as magic, but it’s just for lack of a better word for those moments when it all gets bigger than us. And trust me, Linkin Park sure had quite a few of those up their sleeves.
The setlist unravelled and time started flying way too fast for anyone liking. I guess that’s what happens when you’re having a good time. Burn it down, Stained – oh fuck yes, thank you guys – followed by Where’d you go and Waiting for the end that felt a bit too real for comfort and almost sent me to post gig depression right there when said gig was happening. Castle of glass. Back in the moment. Good timing guys.
And even better one Mr Hahn, messing around with that sample that only meant one thing.
You’re dehydrated? Your knees are shot? You’re praying really hard for a new lower back already? Poor baby (me), too bad because it’s Two Faced time and you’re gonna jump up and down like a right devil. And when I say me, I really mean everyone on that floor. Mosh pits opening all around the GA, people jumping, screaming, laughing and all the joy in the world concentrating in St Denis. What a tune seriously, the perfect happiness outlet draining us of all remaining forces – as if. Loads more cardio work to come.
But for an aging old fart like me Joe’s solo came right in time. I still have no idea what the hell that man is doing and how he manages to conjure up such soundwaves behind those things, but damn Mr Hahn. Vibes.
Mike’s solo comes next and that’s probably one of my favourite parts of the show – what an absolute masterclass. Its power totally caught me by surprise back in November and even though I was waiting for it this time, I definitely still wasn’t prepared. GOAT. Absolute GOAT.
I can’t remember specifically at what point the crowd started chanting Mike’s name – it was definitely sooner on the set but for dramatic effect let’s pretend it was then.
My heart skipped to a later act in the setlist and overflowed with absolute pride and love – see what I did there – when the crowd started chanting our fav rapper’s name.
We often praise Emily, Colin and Alex (I love you petits chats) for how much they’ve evolved since the comeback, getting better show after show, but hats off to this guy too. You’d almost make me quit coffee to see if I can get back to that level of energy someday my dude and damn, may I be able to skip around like you did that entire show in a few years. But it’s his vocals that truly blew me away. His flow is obviously legendary but what a pleasure to hear more of him singing on the new songs. Because man can sing for sure, and with a confidence I never noticed before. Wouldn’t have bet on him screaming either in the past but he definitely proved me wrong delivering those powerful gritty vocals on Casualty. He can add yet another entry to the list of things he nails like a boss. GOAT? GOAT.
And since we’re on the matter of crowd chanting names, might as well highlight the moment the crowd went berserk about Emily. Ha. Sorry not sorry, but I won’t let that impostor syndrome get in the way girlie.
The paradox of Emily Armstrong, good people. Running half a marathon a show, jumping from platform to platform like a wild bunny, while laughing and giving the brightest smiles to everyone around like the goofball she definitely is – all that while delivering the best vocals I’ve heard so far asserting once more that girls of rock fucking rock. That woman is a true tour de force, in any language for that matter.
And yet, there she hides behind a shy smile and that embarrassed twinkle in her eyes the moment the crowd starts chanting her name.
Ha. Cause and effect Em. You can’t act like the most lovable mofo around and not expect us to fall head over heels for you. And there is definitely a ton more of that in your future. Reap what you sow for there is surely a part of stars aligning in it all that but we definitely acknowledge all the work and effort that got you there, and that inspiring fearlessness that made you step through that portal. Take the time you need to deal with that outpouring love because I can assure you it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. And if I have to add this bit on every piece I write, so be it.
But there was no embarrassment when she got Taka to skip down that catwalk during One Step Closer like two mischievous siblings ready to rip our vocal chords off, because of course we think we can sing that song – no we can’t but we’ll forever try.
@rockmycoffee One Step Closer feat Taka from @ONE OK ROCK – @Linkin Park @Stade de France 11/07 #linkinpark #stadedefrance #fyp #livemusic
Time for the collapse, not of our aching limbs thankfully, but probably of all our feelings with the brand new trifecta of Lost, Over Each Other and What I’ve done that breaks all our hearts and mends them the way they were always supposed to feel. Not much more to add to that than tears and more tears. Lost feels like a crossroad, the song that was never meant to be and became everything all at once. Over Each Other will def send you back to that one relationship that broke you, and as director Mr Hahn brilliantly depicted didn’t end for the best. And if you’re thinking autobots for What I’ve done, good for you, that damn song always felt like the purgatory itself for me. That’s not a question you wanna ask yourself in the middle of a gig trust me.
Only fair that Overflow comes next with the amount of emotions triggered in the last round – thanks for the therapy session guys. I guess. Sigh.
Thankfully, at this point we can all hear the future Colin – or so we thought – and while Emily seems to be emptying her entire lung’s capacity on that outro, we get ready for something we’re definitely not : Numb.
Well raincheck on the feels for a minute because guess what? MAYHEM.
Absolute utter mayhem all of a sudden and I’m not sure I’ve laughed so hard at a gig before.
Mike disappeared looking for numbers and ended up drawing tattoos somewhere at the barrier while Phoenix and Emily were patiently waiting for him to get his arse back up just laughing around at all the off mic jokes we can only guess. Can’t remember what style Colin was supposed to play, I’m not even sure he knew either but whatever came down pounding on those drums sure triggered a certain singer, and there goes Emily covering Led Zep’s Immigrant song out of nowhere. The party just took a wild turn and we’re all too busy wondering what the hell is going on – in the best way – to even hear the instant regrets Emily addresses the crowd.
@rockmycoffee Emily being self aware – never change girlie, we love you just like that ♥️ @Linkin Park @Stade de France #stadedefrance #fromzero #livemusic #fyp #linkinpark
No regrets whatsoever from this side of the barrier. Those moments make the best memories because it’s just FUN. And that’s what most people will tell you after a Linkin Park gig. Of course it was the best show ever, a dream come true, something we thought we’d never experience again, and those songs will forever transport us yadi yadi yada. But it’s also just so. Much. Fun.
They match each other freaks, and they certainly match ours too and that turns an epic gig into something even better. Linkin Park is known to be good to their fans on any given day and that doesn’t stop once you eventually see them on stage, never afraid to break that 4th wall even if that means drawing a tattoo in the middle of the set and leaving your bandmates resorting to spur of the moment covers to pass the time.
The sense of camaraderie on stage is the absolute best and you can definitely feel that sibling’s energy. Joe messing with Colin’s drums. Mike and Emily running after one another all night long on that catwalk. Alex and Phoenix messing around with each other’s instruments like only brothers would do. Those looks, those smiles, those secret laughs between all of them that we can only witness from afar. The hugs.
They’re all a part of something, of that something they let us in on. They’re having fun, we’re having fun. A great moment doesn’t take rocket science. A great party even less.
And that’s how we closed that show at the Stade de France. From the pavlovian response we all have on In the End and Faint, that one last thing in your eye on Papercut, Mike’s power trip to make us all lose our damn mind with his pause on A Place for My head, the last release of any locked emotions left on Heavy is the crown, to the apotheosis of Bleed it out.
Flags flying around, cheers crossing the crowd all the way from the nosebleeds, the biggest smile on everyone’s face. A freaking party with 80 000 of our closest friends for the night and those absurdly talented silly beans on stage gifting us with a night we will never forget.
One of the best gigs of my entire life guys.
You know I’m not one to make comparisons for each gig is always unique for a variety of reasons but I can’t help but smile back when thinking of that November night at La Défense and that sense of wonder and incredulity in the air – how was that even happening in the first place. And that look in the band’s eyes didn’t go anywhere, it was still very much present but somewhat less of a surprise, but rather basking in the light of their accomplishment.
Some guy had a sign that made Mike smile, a sign saying From Zero to the Stade de France, and honestly that sums it all up. That journey this past year has been. From the crippling doubts and nerves to the consecration of feeling at home where they’ve always belonged, with the greats.
They left me with a heart bursting with pride and love and maybe that’s what made that night extra special. Witnessing with my own eyes that joy, that confidence, that unity – a place where dreams and reality intertwined for an instant. A place called music. A place called joy. A place called family. A place that just feels right.
We are so fucking back.
We are so fucking back and ready for what’s next.
Until next time – Merci les gars, merci poulette.
You can find all vids I took right here.
