Rock Sound : July~2001
LINKIN PARK - Brixton Academy, London
Support: Lostprophets
You know Linkin Park are huge because, even with only one newish album under their belt, they jump from a low-key debut to headling the prestigious Brixton Academy in just six months. It is therefor a story which would have understandably made support band Lostprophits a little bitter what with them having played every shithole this country has to offer just to make it onto the Brixton stage. Still, from the reaction to opener 'Shinobivsdragonninja' you can sense it won't be long before the Welsh boys are back headlinign this same venue. Playing the short set the band quickly got Brixton bouncing and as 'Kobrakai' finished to a huge roar they headed straight for the stage door and certain world domination. In a recent Rock Sound featureLostprophets also predicted that tonight's headliners would be huge due to having 'that sound', a sound which has been described by some in the know as being like 'a boyband with guitars'. However you view Linkin Park's meteoric rise to fame you can't help but tap your foot to the likes of 'Papercut' and 'Crawling'. Their fans do more than that though, as throughout the set, St. Johns ambulance staff are seen carting young girls out in a way not seen since Take That were last in town, apparently. Part of the hysteria must be put down to the boyish looks of the band so, when they ask for everyone to look after the girls, it's obvious that they know to protect the gender who are largely responsibe for their record sales. Still, as they bow out with his single 'One Step Closer', even the disgruntled boyfreinds left at the bar were seen shouting along to the hugely infectious chorus. One step closer to the edge? More like one step closer to Wembley.