Hey everyone!
As promised here is my recount of my first Linkin Park Live Experience. I know it’s taken a while to be posted but I hope you enjoy this all the same. The version I’m featuring is the un-cut version featuring all the extras that were cut from the Red Dot Diva published version, so if you’ve had a chance to check that out I recommend reading this one to get all the parts you’ve missed!
Anyway, without any further adieu, I give you:
My Linkin Park Live Experience
Brisbane December 3rd
Words… they fail me. Well, almost. The ones that haven’t escaped yet I will attempt to force out of my mind, onto this word document to share with you all…
So where to start? My memories and thoughts are all so jumbled it’s hard to figure out where everything started and ended. Trying to get my thoughts in order is one of my hardest tasks, even now two days later. The first thing I remember was arriving at the venue, The Brisbane Entertainment Center, and checking in to the cloak room organizing everything I needed, including the Christmas presents and cards I had picked out earlier that day for the band. After careful deliberation I had decided on some beautiful Australian Animal shot glasses for the band (One Each) for Christmas and Hanukkah and for Brad, a beautiful and masculine Sagittarius Necklace. The cards were an assortment. One joint card addressed by me and signed by a few other fans for Chester, Mike, Joe and Phoenix and for Rob and Brad a Hanukkah card each. I also got Brad an audio birthday card, just for something special.
Jess (my friend of whom you will hear about throughout the course of this account as one of my best friends who accompanied me that night) and I packed away and clocked in our things, passed security proceeding to bolt up the stairs to the volunteering area where we met up with Lyndon, who was not much older than me but had been given the responsibility of head volunteer. He did a head count, only about 9 of us, Jess and I being the only girls. A few minutes later and a very important and busy looking guy walks over to us. “Hey everyone, I’m Hugo.” He shook all out hands and already knew each of our names. Hugo as it turns out, is Linkin Park’s production coordinator and as I you will read later on, a very, very awesome guy. So as us volunteers start setting up the stall and hauling interested people in I counted down the minutes till I would be meeting my favourite band. Yes, that’s right folks! As a member of the coveted fanclub “Linkin Park Underground” or LPUX I had been given the opportunity to attend a Meet and Greet with the very band I look up to and admire so much and boy was I excited. Okay, so excited was an understatement. I was beside myself.
As the time clicked by quicker than I could have ever counted on, 7:15 finally came and I was off, cards and presents in hand. I ran down to the meeting area, calming myself before entering and merged myself into a group with people I recognized. We talked we chatted and with each second the excitement grew and grew and grew until finally Amy, a friend of mine from LP.com and I were holding hands and trying to calm each other, unsuccessfully. Hugo came out and walked over to me and asked me how I was feeling, knowing how excited I was. I told him I was okay, just really nervous and he smiled and gave some words of encouragement. Minutes and minutes went past and everything was being organized. Our names were ticked off and our M&G passes given out and to fill in the extra few minutes Hugo and another important guy called Maurice held a quick quiz about the band members, giving away shirts so anyone who could answer the questions correctly.
Then it was time to go in.
I can’t even remember how I managed to walk I was so nervous. Amy and I simply clutched each others hands, not daring to close our eyes in fear we’d wake and it would all just be some blissful dream. For a second there, I was almost convinced it was…
We all progressed single file, etching closer around the corner into the room. One by one, each person approached the table and met the band, getting their item signed and engaging in brief chitchat. Just before I got my first glimpse of the band my friend Alex turns to me:
“Hey Ingrid, guess who’s first at the table?”
“Who?”
“Mike.”
”Oh No!” I thought. I had been hoping he’d be somewhere in the middle or the opposite end so that I could work my way through my nerves before I greeted him, but alas no. I was doomed to be a stuttering fangirl. Hugo tried to help my nerves as we joked around about how much he reminded me of Jermaine from “Flight of the Conchords”, which I told him was a compliment because I happen to adore Jermaine. He laughed and then before I had the giggles out, I was up.
I approached the table with a semi confidence which crumbled when Mike looked at me. The conversation went something like this…
”Ha-hey Mike.”
”Hey”
”Um… I bought this shirt.”
/I lay it down on the table. He looked at it with a slight quiz in his eye and looks up to me again./
“Would you like me to sign it?”
”Uh… yes please.”
”Would you like the other guys to sign it too?”
”Um, yes please…”
/So he signs it and moves it over to Brad next to him./
“Oh and Mike, I thought I should give this too you…”
/I hand him the bands Christmas Card/
”Oh, thank you.”
I wasn’t sure what to think. I was in so much shock that I didn’t register much. I just tried to concentrate on the task in front of me… giving Brad his gifts.
He had already signed my shirt so it was really just down to giving him his stuff and moving onto Rob, who was next in line.
“Um, hey Brad. So I got you a card for your birthday. And a Hanukkah card…”
”…Thanks.”
”Oh and, this…”
/I pulled out the necklace for him/
”It’s for your birthday. Oh and the birthday card, don’t open it in here. It, er.. it’s audio.”
”Thanks.”
So admittedly I was a little shocked at this point. Mike and Brad were by far the two I was so excited to meet and they were the most distant. I wasn’t sure whether to take it personally seeing as I didn’t have the guts to take my eyes away from the band to see what they were like with anyone else. I shrugged it off and just focused on getting to Rob.
As I had said in my pre-concert post I had always seen Rob as a pretty reserved guy so I was somewhat surprised to see him so cheerful. His smile definitely bought my spirits up and I might ad, he’s even more attractive than in photos…
Ahem, where was I? Oh yeah…
I smiled back at Rob before proceeding…
”Hey Rob! I got you a Hanukkah card.”
”Wow! Thank you!”
”Anytime! Um, also, you seem like the most responsible guy in the band so, I thought I’d give these too you.”
/I hand the shot glasses to him and he looks at them with a smile before looking back to me/
”Ya know, while I’m flattered you’re giving me the honor I think you should give these to Joe. He’d love these…”
/I laughed in appreciation/
“Okay, we’ll see what he says…”
Seeing as Joe was sitting next to Rob he had heard most of what we were saying so I simply had to turn to him with a little grin as he signed my shirt.
”I was told I should give you these.”
/I had the glasses to him/
”Oh these are cooool!”
”There’s one each. You guys can pick who gets what one but I thought it’d be nice.”
”Yeah, these are awesome! Thanks so much!”
“Anytime!”
Chester’s turn. I was feeling pretty fine by now, the only thing making me nervous was the pressure to be quick so everyone could keep moving.
“Chesterrrr”
”Heyyy!”
“So I guess you saw the glasses too.”
”Yeah, briefly! Shot glasses, right?”
”Sure are.”
”I’m gonna put wheatgrass in mine!”
/I laughed at this./
”Well, if that’s what you prefer! Thanks for signing.”
”That’s okay, I hope you enjoy the show.”
”Oh there’s no doubt I will!”
Finally it was Phoenix, who is just the coolest dude. Unfortunately we didn’t get to exchange much talk because of the time pressure but he signed my shirt with a smile and some “thank-you”s were exchanged.
I then moved off into the photo zone where we were allowed to start taking pictures. I didn’t really get any good ones but I have plenty both taken by my friend Neil and some professional ones I can share. As everyone moved through the group got bigger and bigger and we were all placed in our optimal height locations. This is the one time I’m so thankful I’m short. I got the front, along with Amy who’s hand I had resumed holding. As the final line finished the members each got up and started positioning themselves amongst the group.
This is when things went a little crazy on my part. I don’t know what compelled me to do it but the moment Mike got up I started speedchanting “MikeMikeMikeMikeMikeMike”. I didn’t really realize I was doing it until he looked at me and started walking over. Then I went silent out of shock. Completely frozen like a statue. Now, you guys have to believe me, usually meeting celebs doesn’t phase me. I pride myself on keeping my cool in those situations because really, what was the big deal? They were just people right? But being a little fangirlly here, this isn’t just anyone walking towards me, this is MICHAEL KENJI SHINODA, my hero above all others. Walking. Up. To. Me.
Then, before I knew it his hand was on my shoulder as he slipped around me until he was directly behind me. So close in fact that I couldn’t even adjust my shirt in fear of touching him inappropriately. Mind you, adjusting my shirt wasn’t really on my mind. It was more remembering how to breathe properly and trying to conceal just how over the moon I was.
I honestly believed that my luck in drawing Mike over was about as good as it was going to get, but I was wrong and this, is the one time I really didn’t mind about being wrong! I swear I only blinked once before I realized that within 2 feet of me, crouching in front of Amy was Rob. “Oh my god” I thought. “This is crazy, insane. We’re so lucky! There is no way this is getting any better! We have two of the guys right within our personal space!”
BUT IT GOT EVEN BETTER AND REALLY, I’M FINDING IT HARD TO CONCENTRATE AS I REMEMBER!
I blinked only once again before I realized who was now walking in my direction.
Chester Charles Bennington.
And before I knew it, that very same Chester Charles Bennington was borrowing my leg for support as he crouched down beside me.
So, let me recap and paint a clear picture for you. I was now, in the front middle of a massive group photo of LPUX Brisbane and Linkin Park with 3 of the members surrounding Amy and I including my hero, Mike Shinoda directly behind me.
I couldn’t do anything but smile, which was lucky seeing as I was about to get my picture taken. I was grinning wider than I ever had in my life, resisting the urge to pinch myself and wake myself from what had to be some euphoric dream.
“Bunch up” the photographer said and before I knew it I was leaning into Mike in order to comply with the request and then it was happy-snap time.
A few shots later and it was time for the boys to head off and enter “their zone”. Still in shock I was far too nervous to ask Mike for a photo or a hug, something which I regret and hope to remedy at the summit next week.
Finally the band departed and it was time to snap out of my state of europhia to enter action mode. Operation, bolt to the cloak room and then back to the doors was in progress and Alex, Amy, Neil and I were in full force. Sprinting as if our lives depended on it we ran to the cloak room, checking in our stuff in record speed. Amy and I were first to arrive, taking the opportunity whilst we waited for Alex and Neil to scream and let our all our energy and happiness. I just screamed so loudly and the grin spread across my face once more as we jumped on the spot. Energy was no shortage for me.
When we all checked in we bolted back up the stairs and I was relieved to see the volunteers still there meaning I wouldn’t have to me separated from Jess. As I came up the stairs and burst through the doors they all turned to look at me, there mouths agape at the sight of my joy filled expression. Jess, knowing what was coming discretely shuffled back a little as I ran and tackled her.
”IT WAS AMAZING JESS, SO AMAZING, I WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE. I WAS THERE AND WE GOT A PHOTO AND I WAS THE FILLING A BENNODA SANDWICH!”
Yes, you probably have the same look they had on their faces. Shock and confusion. Everyone, bar Jess who expected no less stared at me until finally a “so, what was it like?” was heard. I couldn’t help but gush about each member, answering the mental blur of questions heading my way. I was so thirsty though that it hit me after the run and for a reason not just about the band I was finding it hard to breathe. Jess rescued me with water and just as I took a long gulp I turned to see Hugo looking at me.
”So, how was it?” He grinned at me.
With no mental recollection of decision I leaped on to him wrapping him into a hug.
“IT WAS SO AMAZING HUGO, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.”
To my surprise as I realized that I had just jump hugged Linkin Park’s right-hand man, he gave me a hug back.
“That’s okay Ingrid. I’m glad you had a great time!”
“I did, I really did. Thank you so much.”
So, after my nerves had deflated to a heathly level and I could process thoughts properly, I decided it was best I run to the bathroom. So I did and when I got back it was time for us volunteers to get our seats. We didn’t realize just how close we’d be through. He took us to the doors and door after door guard informed us that we wanted the double glass doors. Finally we found them.
”Backstage Area, Sercurity Restricted Access” the sign read with guards at the door area.”
”Hi, I’m looking to take these guys into the arena. Can we go through here.”
”Band staff?”
”Yes”
”Yep, all clear, go on through.”
We were backstage. I passed the room the meet and greet was in excitedly dragging Jess along, almost overtaking Hugo himself. At the other end of the corridor we came out into the mosh standing zone.
“You guys are getting prime area. Front area. Near the stage.”
The words echoed through my conscious. Front mosh. 6 rough rows back. That’s how close I would be? If I wasn’t in heaven already I had most definitely just arrived.
“This is where I leave you guys, enjoy the show. Ingrid, I’ll see you in Sydney, make sure you come find me!”
”Will do Hugo, thank you so much for everything!”
”Your welcome, bye guys!”
”See ya!” We echoed.
This was it. In a matter of minutes I was about to watch my favourite band of a decade perform live for the first time. I jumped up and down, energy pumping through my veins. I conversed with those around me discussing stage set up and taking in my surroundings, feeding off the energy of all the fellow fans around me.
Somewhere along the line of waiting up in the tiered seating a giant Mexican Wave had begun, circling around the arena from tiered seating down to us on the floor and then back up and around and around and around, going for about 5 minutes non stop. Eventually has the excitement and anticipation in the air grew thicker everything was going quieter and quieter. Minutes ticked past slowly until someone started cheering. Then more people. Eventually everyone and then.
They were on stage.
And boy didn’t they know how to start a show.
A heavy bass echoed through the hall as the house lights depleted and the stage lights went wild. Next thing I know I was jumped, throwing my body up and down to the beat of “Wretches and Kings”, fists banging in the air.
Mike came up to the front, plaid shirt adorned and blue sunglasses in use and the crowd roared as he entered the first verse:
”To save face,
How low can you go?
Talk a lot of game and yet you don’t know,
Fire on the way make us all say ‘woah’,
The people up top push the people down low…
GET DOWN”
We all thundered as everyone jumped a little higher, feet on the floor creating a mesmerizing backing beat to the song as Chester ripped our the chorus.
“Steel unload!
Final blow!
We the animals take control!
Hear us now, clear and true!
Wretches and kings we come for you!”
The energy was alive and the mood was set. The show has officially begun.
Song after song from the new album was a hit with fans but it was the nostalgic hits that really hit the chords with fans. “Numb” and “Crawling” and “Faint” were crowd favourites, intertwined with Minutes to Midnight’s hits “Shadows of the Day” which had everyone swaying together, hands in the air as Chester belted out the heart felt chorus.
Every song had me jumping, singing along and rapping every word in perfect synchronization with Mike, earning me approving and admired looks from fans around me. I felt amazing. Everything about it was amazing.
When “One Step Closer” began my heart-fluttered. It was the first LP song I had ever heard, bringing back memories and the feeling of the connection being re-made. I fought back joyous tears, the smile on my face glowing along with the sweat I had so proudly exerted.
It was “Breaking The Habit” and “In The End” however that I out of the older tracks hit me the most. I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite LP song, seeing as I could never pick, but “Breaking The Habit” had been my official theme song ever since it’s release. I connected with it so much that even now it’s one song I feel drawn to on a level unlike any other. “In The End” gives me much of the same feelings plus it was always the song of my favourite video clip, which sounds a bit stupid but that video transported me away to a different world. Gave me an escape which I so desperately needed growing up.
Then it was onto the last track on “A Thousand Suns”, “The Messenger”. Brad came to the edge of the stage, strumming the acoustic guitar, a small smile on his face as as now shirtless and heavily worn Chester clutched the microphone and stand looking down at him.
“It’s Brad’s birthday today.”
The crowd cheered.
“Well, okay not today. It was actually December 1st but we were on the plane and it sorta got lost in cyberspace or whatever, so he didn’t get a birthday. So, I think we should sing him happy birthday now. How would you like that?”
We all cheered again, excited.
“But we aren’t going to sing it the traditional way. No, you’re all too cool for that. We’re gonna do it differently. You guys follow my lead.”
Brad who was still playing the tune of “The Messenger” smiled wider at this and as Chester began to sing happy birthday to the songs tunes instead of the usual way. We all followed.
“Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Brad,
Happy birthday to you.”
We all cheered and then Chester started to sing the song. It was beautiful and I swayed along with strangers around me, absorbing the atmosphere and energy emanating off everyone and the band itself.
Finally before I knew it (and far too soon for my liking) the band were off the stage but it wasn’t long before the crowd was screaming for an encore which the boys graciously delivered in the form of “The Catalyst” and a few other hit songs including “Bleed It Out”.
But, as always everything must end and as an exhausted Chester rang out the last notes it was time to farewell the men that I had waited so long to see.
It was a bittersweet goodbye but whilst I was sad it was over, I was far more elated that it happened.
Jess, Lyndon, Michael and I exited into the cool air, discussing and comparing our favourite moments and songs, keeping the energy alive all the way back to the train station where we split ways, having exchanged ways to keep in touch.
Jess and I boarded our first train, packed with fellow concert-goers all busy with their own excited conversations and I sat on the train and just smiled tiredly all the way home.
Finally at 2am we were home and in bed, but sleep hadn’t overcome us just yet as we shared photos and videos from the night, listening once more before sleep finally beckoned us.
Unable to fight it off, I let slumber consume me knowing that waiting for me until the morning were memories I would keep for the rest of my life.
As an extra, my friend Jess offered to contribute her feelings on the concert. It’s short, but sweet and a testimony to the brillance of the night…
“As a person who’s not really a big Linkin park fan, when Ingrid asked me if I wanted to go to the concert, I was hesitant to say the least. She told me I could get in for free, and all I had to do was volunteer for music for relief, a worthy charity. So I went along, to keep Ingrid company and to help support Music for Relief, not expecting much from the concert really. Well, as it got closer to the concert Ingrid’s excitement rubbed off on me, as well as everyone within a 2 metre radius, and soon enough we were all very keen to head inside and watch Linkin Park. Once we got in there and realised how close we were to the stage the excitement set in and soon enough the band was on stage and we were all singing and dancing along to all the songs (whether I knew them or not). Well after the concert it’s safe to say I was made a Linkin Park fan. It was amazing and the best concert I’ve been to. I now listen to Linkin Park and re-live the awesome moments had at the concert and I would have no hesitation in going to see them again.” – Jess D
Coming shortly after New Year’s will be my Linkin Park Underground summit/Sydney concert recount as well as a recount of the amazing U2 concert I attended on December 8th so stayed updated!
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