Emily Armstrong Shines in Linkin Park’s New Era, A Powerful Yet Challenging Debut at London’s O2 Are

Linkin Park is in capable hands with Emily Armstrong, but that’s not necessarily a good thing: A Review The anticipation surrounding Linkin Park’s long-awaited return to London on September 24, 2024, at the O2 Arena was electric. However, a bigger question loomed over the crowd: Could Emily Armstrong live up to the towering legacy of the late Chester Bennington? Recently announced as the band’s new lead singer, Armstrong has quickly experienced both the highs and lows of stepping into the spotlight with one of rock’s most iconic bands. With the release of a new album, From Zero, and a world tour underway, she’s faced intense scrutiny over her personal life, made public apologies, and even performed on live streams. But when the stage lights dimmed, one question persisted in the minds of fans: Can Armstrong truly complete the Linkin Park lineup? It’s impossible to avoid comparisons to Chester Bennington, whose death by suicide in 2017 left a gaping void in the music world. He was a vocal powerhouse, a creative force, and a stage presence like no other. Armstrong, whether fair or not, inevitably faces the weight of his legacy. Yet, as she took the O2 stage with Somewhere I Belong and Crawling, she didn’t show any signs of cracking under pressure. Throughout the night, her harmonies with Mike Shinoda and her commanding stage presence cemented her as a solid addition to the band’s dynamic. Certain tracks—like Crawling, The Catalyst, and Given Up—felt perfectly suited to Armstrong’s raspy vocals. Slower songs such as Leave Out All the Rest and My December were given new life through her emotional precision. However, when tackling some of Linkin Park’s most powerful anthems, Armstrong faltered. In The End and Faint lacked the raw intensity fans were accustomed to, with Armstrong struggling to hit Bennington’s high notes. Shinoda even stepped in for extra vocal duties during What I’ve Done, seemingly to help cover Armstrong’s weaknesses. It was a disappointment, but certainly not a disaster. Linkin Park could easily coast on their back catalog of hits, but that would be a disservice to Armstrong’s potential. To be clear: Armstrong isn’t here to replace or replicate Bennington. She brings her own set of unique talents to the table, and she doesn’t need to fit into anyone else’s shoes to prove her worth. These are still early days for Armstrong in the Linkin Park family, and as the band continues to evolve, so too will their chemistry on stage. While the road ahead will likely be filled with challenges, one thing is clear—Armstrong is more than capable of forging her own path with Linkin Park, even if the journey isn’t flawless.