The newly reunited Linkin Park have made their TV debut, stopping by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday (Septmber 17th) for a performance of their new single “The Emptiness Machine.”
The song started with co-vocalist Mike Shinoda singing the first verse and chorus. Then, new singer Emily Armstrong appeared onstage to a notable cheer from the audience as she took over lead vocals for the second verse, before launching into a scream for the chorus.
In addition to Armstrong, other new members of Linkin Park include drummer Colin Brittain, who has taken over for Rob Bourdon (who decided not to partake in the reunion), and touring guitarist Alex Feder, who is filling in for Brad Delson (who is still a member of the band, but has opted to not to tour with the group).
The band’s three new musicians made their onstage debut with Linkin Park earlier this month, performing at an invite-only livestream before launching their limited 2024 tour with arena shows in Los Angeles and Brooklyn. Up next, they’ll head to Germany, the UK, South Korea, and Columbia. See the full list of upcoming dates, and get tickets here.
The return of Linkin Park has not been without controversy, though, with stories of Armstrong’s ties to Scientology and past support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson now circulating online. One of Masterson’s victims, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler (wife of The Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala), has even slammed her for participating “in the cruel intimidation” of victims, though Armstrong has stated that she does not condone abuse or violence towards women.
In any event, fans who saw the band at their US shows this month seemed ecstatic, with Consequence’s Liz Shannon Miller writing in her recap of the LA show that “the crowd cheered for everything, with their whole hearts.”
“The Emptiness Machine” is the lead single off Linkin Park’s upcoming comeback album, From Zero, which arrives November 15th.
In addition to the performance on Fallon, Shinoda also sat down to speak with the late-night host. Watch the performance and then interview in the clips below.
For more, check out Consequence’s run down of Linkin Park’s 10 best songs.
