Linkin Park brought a thunderous finale to Corona Capital 2025 on Sunday, November 16, reminding Mexico City—and the global fanbase watching—that their new era isn’t just a continuation, but a rebirth.
Just over a year since the band officially reunited with new co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, the group delivered a career-spanning set that blended nu-metal nostalgia with the urgency of a band pushing forward. Closing a weekend dominated by rock and pop heavyweights across the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez grounds, the band proved they were right back where they belonged: at the top of a major festival bill.
Armstrong’s range was the first thing that stood out. She moved easily from soaring melodies to full-throated screams, a balance that carried emotional weight without overshadowing the band’s history. The crown, as it turns out, wasn’t too heavy. Mike Shinoda’s unmistakable vocal cadence hit with the same force fans remembered from hearing them blast through speakers on 89X or WRIF, a reminder of the band’s early millennium dominance.
“I wrote a little something for you guys,” Shinoda told the Mexico City crowd, before reading a letter in Spanish, which we have translated in English:
“Hello everyone. I hope you’re all doing well. This month marks one year since the release of our album From Zero. We are very grateful for all the support you’ve given us, both with our music and your warm goodwill. Thank you very much, long live Mexico, you badass legends!”
The band’s return last year was not universally embraced.
For many, the grief surrounding the tragic loss of former frontman Chester Bennington was still raw.
Even the band understood the hesitation.
Still, they moved forward – quietly at first.
Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, and Joe Hahn had been reconnecting behind the scenes for years, meeting up without expectations and without the pressure of “starting the band again.”
They were simply spending time together, rediscovering the creativity that anchored their friendship since college.
Along the way, they invited collaborators into the studio.
It was in these sessions that Armstrong, of Dead Sara, and Brittain, known for work with G Flip, Illenium and One OK Rock, became more than guests.
A natural chemistry formed—one that grew into the band’s new foundation.
The official announcement last fall arrived with a wave of surprises: the first new Linkin Park single in seven years, “The Emptiness Machine”; a global livestream performance; and the launch of six arena shows for the From Zero World Tour. It marked the start of their first album cycle since 2017.
“Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero,” Shinoda said at the time. “This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking. Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future—embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life.”
That ethos was all over their Corona Capital performance. “The Emptiness Machine,” with Shinoda’s steady melodies passing into Armstrong’s explosive chorus, slotted seamlessly between classics. Distorted riffs and heavy drumwork carried an urgency that hinted at where this era of Linkin Park is headed.
“The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created,” Shinoda said during the reunion press run. “We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together.”
At Corona Capital, that confidence showed.
It felt like a band honouring its history without being bound by it—one that has made peace with its past while carving the shape of its future in real time.
And as the final notes rang out over Mexico City, it was clear: the new era hasn’t just begun.
It’s already thriving.
Here are SWOMP’s photos from the Corona Capital show:
The From Zero World Tour continues into 2026, with dates schedules across Europe, Australia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, India and New Zealand.
Follow the band at https://linkinpark.com/.