Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda has opened up about his feelings ahead of the group’s first show since the tragic death of their legendary singer Chester Bennington.
Earlier this week, the nu-metal trailblazers announced a special one-night-only tribute concert in honour of their fallen frontman, who was laid to rest in a private ceremony back in July.
And Shinoda says they’re definitely nursing some jitters ahead of the big event, which is scheduled to go down at LA’s Hollywood Bowl on October 27th, with the five surviving members of the band to perform alongside a series of yet-to-be-announced friends and guests.
“I know that for some of the guys in the band, getting on stage is more scary than other guys in the band,” Shinoda admits to US radio station KROQ (via Rolling Stone). “But I will say that for all of us, it’s definitely the thing that we want to do. It feels like the right way to celebrate Chester.”
“What was so unique and special about this guy is that he used it as fuel to do so many things,” the rapper continues. “He was such a happy guy, he was such a fun guy when he’d walk in the room … That’s what we want to get out of this show.
“I know it’s going to be a roller coaster of emotion, but when we talk about this and when we’re focusing on the show, it’s really about celebrating life.”
Shinoda also credited legendary producer Rick Rubin, who helmed Linkin Park albums Minutes To Midnight, A Thousand Suns and Living Things, with convincing him to perform live again following Chester’s death.
“He said: ‘I know you guys know this, and I know it’s obvious because you’re looking at social media, I think you guys need to get on stage. I think that’s going to be the thing that’ll feel good. It’ll be super, super hard … The fans want to see you, but most importantly, not because they want to see a show, there’s a cathartic experience that needs to happen’,” Shinoda explains.
Linkin Park’s Chester memorial gig will raise money for Music for Relief’s One More Light Fund in memory of their frontman.
Meanwhile, the band have also released an emotional new music video tribute to Chester for the song ‘One More Light’.
Give it a watch below, but definitely keep some Kleenex handy.
