Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda believes that much of the backlash directed at the band’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, was rooted in sexism. In a candid new interview with The Guardian, Shinoda deconstructed the initial wave of criticism, arguing that while fans cited numerous reasons for their anger, the fundamental issue for many was a deep-seated discomfort with a woman fronting the iconic group.
Armstrong was introduced last year as the band’s new singer, stepping into the formidable role left vacant by the late Chester Bennington. While the reunion has since been met with sold-out arena tours and critical acclaim for their new album, From Zero, the initial reaction was intensely divided.
“There were people who lashed out at Emily and it was really because she wasn’t a guy,” Shinoda stated directly.
He elaborated on his theory, suggesting that other complaints were often a smokescreen for this core issue. “Fans, he thinks, were “used to Linkin Park being six guys and the voice of a guy leading this song,” Shinoda explained. “They were just so uncomfortable with what it was that they chose a ton of things to complain about. They’re pointing in 10 different directions saying: ‘This is why I’m mad, this is why the band s*cks.’”
While critics pointed to everything from the monumental task of replacing Bennington to Armstrong‘s past associations, Shinoda maintains that the gender dynamic was the unspoken primary driver for many.
For her part, Armstrong admitted she was unprepared for the sheer intensity of the public response to her appointment. “I was a little bit naive about it, to be honest,” she told.
Despite the difficult start, the new era of Linkin Park has been a resounding success. The band has been playing to packed arenas worldwide on their global tour, with their new album From Zero earning rave reviews and silencing many of the initial doubters. The band is set to continue its world tour through the end of the year, with extensive dates remaining across North and South America.
From Zero tracklist:
- “From Zero (Intro)“
- “The Emptiness Machine“
- “Cut the Bridge“
- “Heavy Is the Crown“
- “Over Each Other“
- “Casualty“
- “Overflow“
- “Two Faced“
- “Stained“
- “IGYEIH“
- “Good Things Go“
Linkin Park: From Zero World Tour – Remaining 2025 Dates
North America
July
- Jul 29: Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
August
- Aug 01: Boston, MA – TD Garden
- Aug 03: Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
- Aug 06: Montreal, Canada – Bell Centre
- Aug 08: Toronto, Canada – Scotiabank Arena
- Aug 11: Chicago, IL – United Center
- Aug 14: Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
- Aug 16: Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
- Aug 19: Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
- Aug 21: Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
- Aug 23: St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
- Aug 25: Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
- Aug 27: Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
- Aug 29: Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
- Aug 31: Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
September
- Sep 03: Denver, CO – Ball Arena
- Sep 06: Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
- Sep 13: Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium
- Sep 15: San Jose, CA – SAP Center
- Sep 17: Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
- Sep 19: Portland, OR – Moda Center
- Sep 21: Vancouver, Canada – Rogers Arena
- Sep 24: Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Latin America
October
- Oct 26: Bogota, Colombia – TBA
- Oct 29: Lima, Peru – TBA
November
- Nov 01: Buenos Aires, Argentina – TBA
- Nov 05: Santiago, Chile – TBA
- Nov 08: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – TBA
- Nov 10: São Paulo, Brazil – TBA
- Nov 13: Brasilia, Brazil – TBA
- Nov 15: Porto Alegre, Brazil – TBA
