Linkin Park’s new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, forgot the lyrics during the band’s recent show in Paris, prompting Mike Shinoda to step in.
Fans on Reddit reacted to the moment, expressing support for Armstrong as she is still adjusting to performing with the band and will eventually learn the entire setlist.
“She said ‘I know those songs for twenty years,’ but hearing her sing along without anything to back it up was really interesting,” one fan wrote. “Even Chester and Mike forgot the lyrics sometimes during live shows, so it must be tough to memorize them all.”
Another user added, “She’s never performed for such a big audience before. Some nerves, but her voice was spot on tonight.”
A different commenter noted, “Mike knows he put a heavy load on Emily. As the band leader, he’s doing everything he can to support her, and thank goodness Emily is willing to rise to the occasion.”
Linkin Park has already released three new songs with Emily. The band is experiencing success with ‘Heavy Is The Crown’ debuting at number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100. They currently hold the top three spots on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs Chart, with ‘The Emptiness Machine’ at number one, ‘Heavy Is The Crown’ at number two, and ‘Over Each Other’ at number three.
In a recent interview on the Twenty400 Block Podcast, Chester Bennington’s son, Jaime, shared his thoughts on Emily’s performances. When asked about her covering his father’s songs, Jaime said, “I think it’s a nice karaoke job. It sounds like someone having fun for sure.”
He added, “I think she might hurt her voice. I’m really worried that Emily could end up damaging her voice. I respect people as individuals and understand that art and people are separate things. I can enjoy Linkin Park, even if I dislike some of their recent decisions. But with Emily, I just feel like she’s pushing herself too much.”
Linkin Park’s upcoming album, ‘From Zero,’ is set to release on November 15, 2024. The band’s From Zero World Tour began on September 11, 2024, and will wrap up on November 16, 2024, at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil.
