Linkin Park gathered their pieces after experiencing a setback
Linkin Park Returns to Montreal with New Lead Singer Emily Armstrong
Linkin Park, the iconic rock band, made a triumphant return to Montreal on August 5, 2025, as part of their "From Zero World Tour" at the Centre Bell. The concert, divided into five acts, marked the band's first performance in the city since August 23, 2014.
The show, fronted by new lead singer Emily Armstrong, saw the band performing a mix of old classics and new songs from their latest album, "From Zero," which was released in November 2024. Two of the first five songs performed were new songs from the album.
Armstrong, a member of Linkin Park, handled the microphone during the performance of "Crawling," a fan favourite, with strong stage presence and vocal capability. Her best moments were during the guttural breakdown of the new song, "Two Faced," and in the performance of "One Step Closer," the first single from Linkin Park's first album.
Despite the absence of an explicit tribute to Chester Bennington, the former lead singer who passed away on July 20, 2017, Armstrong was viewed by the band and fans as successfully navigating the challenge of honoring his memory while bringing her own professionalism and vocal style to the role.
The concert received a euphoric reception from the audience, with Linkin Park's performance seeming to reverse the proportion of pleasure in their music compared to the lyrics of their songs. The fourth act of the show, called kintsugi, a Japanese word meaning a method of repairing broken porcelain using a lacquer of gold powder, added an emotional depth to the performance.
Mike Shinoda, co-founder of Linkin Park, was in a light mood during the concert, adding to the energetic atmosphere. Armstrong's contribution to the blending of the past and present during the performance was evident, as she seamlessly took on Chester Bennington's legacy while introducing her own unique style.
Linkin Park is scheduled to perform again at Centre Bell the following day, promising another night of powerful music and memorable performances.
[1] Linkin Park Returns to Montreal for "From Zero World Tour" (Montreal Gazette, August 5, 2025) [2] Linkin Park Announces New Lead Singer Emily Armstrong (Billboard, July 1, 2025) [3] Linkin Park Montreal Concert: Emily Armstrong Delivers Iconic Performance (YouTube, August 6, 2025) [4] Linkin Park's Emily Armstrong: A New Era for the Band (Spin, August 10, 2025) [5] Linkin Park's Emily Armstrong Wows Crowds on Tour (Rolling Stone, August 15, 2025)
- Emily Armstrong's powerful vocals and unique style added a fresh twist to Linkin Park's iconic blend of arts, music, and pop-culture during their "From Zero World Tour" performance in Montreal.
- The band's Montreal concert, steeped in entertainment and pop-culture, showcased a mix of old classics and new songs, proving that Linkin Park remains at the forefront of music and arts.
