Linkin Park Headlining Download '07 (Linkin Park - Live)

Member Name: x-TakeMeHome-x

Product:	Linkin Park - Live
Date:	16/03/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: One of the most amazing gigs of my life <3

Disadvantages: None except a long wait..

I became a fan of Linkin Park just as 'Minutes To Midnight' was released (having already heard the previous albums) and became an immediate member of LPU (their official fan club..) and the next thing I knew I was going to see them at Download '07...

DOWNLOAD '07:
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During July of 2007 I wasn't quite as 'Emo' looking as I am now told I am, so I didn't quite fit in at the festival but that didn't matter because I was only there for one reason anyway, Linkin Park. I went only for the Saturday as this was the day my beloved band was headlining. I had to wait around 9 hours to see them, time filled with boredom, a cheerful interlude of Bowling For Soup performing and I'm pretty sure heat stroke. But it was all worth it.

About 16 minutes later than scheduled Mike, Joe, Rob, Brad, Chester and Phoenix finally graced the stage with their presence. The sky was dark, but the lights from the stage were bright enough to reveal the thousands (as far as my eyes-I had two out in the open then- could see). I wondered if they were all as excited as me, my breath stolen away and my face taken over by a smile, especially at the sight of Mike Shinoda, the multi-talented, gorgeous half Japanese man who still makes me smile foolishly like a teenage girl (probably because I am so I can still get away with it but I still plan to have secret pictures of him in my 30s..).

I was stuck behind two teenage boys who obviously had to be ridiculously tall but being so close to the front and the massive screen above me I didn't care.

I giggled as Chester's shirt reminded me of Spiderman, but became silent when the first song began and became mesmerised that everyone in the crowd knew the words, I felt like I belonged suddenly when the rest of the day I hadn't, and at school had always thought I was the only Linkin Park obsessive.

I found myself proud as I sang along (noisily and probably annoyingly) to the new tracks off 'Minutes To Midnight' that others around me didn't seem to know. I was absurdly happy so don't judge my cocky attitude please?

It was at Download I first learnt of Linkin Park's two encores rule - they had to leave the stage twice, and return but after the second time they really were leaving; they still follow this rule every show of theirs I go to. Every song they sang was beautiful or brutal, but amazing either way - and actually better than CD versions which can't be said for many bands. Chester's voice actually sent shivers through me as did Mike's piano playing. They aren't the most talkative of bands on stage, they get on stage, play their set, and leave and I couldn't ask for more anyway because this formula always leaves me captivated.

*About half past ten when the set finished I almost wanted to cry, distraught that it was all over.*

It's fair to say that after seeing them live at Download I became an even bigger fan (or 'crazy obsessive' as my friends say), and I'm now known as the girl that loves Linkin Park at school; I'm proud of that secretly. I now look forward to seeing them live for the fifth time.

I just regret never seeing them tour their first two albums, but I encourage any fan to go see them live and even if you don't like them I bet that seeing them perform would change your mind.

x x

Summary: Seeing a band live can reveal how good they really are and Linkin Park are amazing <3