WORDS AND IMAGES: MERT TYSON MEDIA
Brisbane, you didn’t just host the first Australian night of Linkin Park’s From Zero World Tour – you detonated it.
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre turned into a pressure cooker of nostalgia, new energy and pure stadium sized adrenaline. From the second the lights dropped and that opening pulse hit, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a casual midweek gig. This was a reset, a rebirth, and 13,000 people screaming every word as Linkin Park proved they’re not here to live in the past – they’re here to own the future.
From the moment the “Inception Intro” slid into “Somewhere I Belong”, you could tell Brisbane was in for a special night. And man let me tell you from the get go this is one hell of an epic setlist and show! You get more than what you pay for! That first riff hit, the lights burst into life and it felt like the whole arena exhaled at once from there, Linkin Park barely eased off the throttle. Every song, every moment landed like a punch; it was going to be an awesome night!
The early run of “Somewhere I Belong”, “Points of Authority” and “Crawling” set the tone perfectly. The band sounded tight and locked in, drums and bass glued together while the guitars cut cleanly through the mix. The crowd was already in full voice, shouting every chorus back, and you could see the band feeding off it. When they dropped into “The Emptiness Machine” the room shifted again (I must say I love this song and hell it sounded incredible Emily nailed it!) darker, heavier electronics, a huge chorus and a live arrangement that felt even bigger than the studio version. It was one of the real highlights of the night, proof that the new era material isn’t just filler between the classics.
As the show moved through Acts II and III, the setlist flowed in a way that made the whole night feel like one long story rather than a pile of songs. “The Catalyst” and “Burn It Down” brought that sleek, modern, electronic edge, while tracks like “Over Each Other” slotted in so naturally you’d think they’d been in the set for years. “Waiting for the End” and “Castle of Glass” provided those goosebumps, catch your breath moments, with the crowd singing almost as loud as the band. The pacing was spot on: big bursts of energy, then just enough space to reset before the next wave.
Visually and sonically, everything was dialled in. The lighting was timed to perfection with sharp beams and strobes on the heavy hits, moody washes of colour during the more atmospheric sections, and an impressive use of LED screens and visuals that wrapped around the songs rather than distracting from them. The sound mix was clear and powerful: vocals sat right on top without getting swallowed, guitars had weight without turning to mud, and the electronics filled the space without making it feel cluttered. The visuals and sound and combinations of all the elements made the BEC so immersive.
The back end of the show was just stacked. “Overflow” drifted in with its moody synth intro, then “Numb” arrived like a tidal wave. That familiar intro sparked a huge roar and suddenly the whole arena was singing. “From the Inside” kept the adrenaline running, “Heavy Is the Crown” showed just how strong the new material is live, and “Bleed It Out” turned into a full blown party with its extended bridge and crowd participation and confetti!! By the time the encore hit – “Papercut”, a massive “In the End” singalong, and a furious “Faint” to close – there was nothing left in the tank for anyone on or off stage. Now there was more confetti somewhere amongst all this as I was trying to avoid my head being blown off by the confetti cannon to get that perfect shot!
What really sold the night was the feeling that every song mattered. Whether it was an early day’s favourite, a midcareer anthem or something new, nothing felt like a throwaway. The band played with precision but also with a sense of fun, throwing smiles and nods across the stage, jokes and fun banter interacting with the crowd and letting the big moments breathe. The updated lineup and new vocal mix worked better than a lot of people probably expected. It didn’t feel like a tribute to what they used to be, it felt like Linkin Park in 2026, fully owning this chapter.
The highlight for me is the fans having a moment in the pit. The pure love and delight and passion for this band is incredible and when the pick dropped handing it to one lovely fan made her day this is what it’s all about!
If the Brisbane Entertainment Centre show is anything to go by, the From Zero World Tour is absolutely worth catching while it’s in Australia. The atmosphere was incredible, the band was on fire, and the mix of old and new tracks turned the night into a genuine celebration rather than just a nostalgic trip. If you get the chance, jump on it. This is one of those tours you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.
Thanks as always to the people that make this happen especially Linkin Park for the encore as well as the first 3 songs as a photographer you made this night super special. My friends in the pit, the crowd and some of the awesome people I had the chance to meet. Also thanks to my Hear 2 Zen Fam, Nicole from Revolutions Per Minute and to Live Nation Australia. Special thanks to the awesome Jack for being such an awesome chaperone!!! Bucket list getting filled THANK YOU Linkin Park!
SET LIST
ACT I
Inception Intro A
Somewhere I Belong
Points of Authority
Up From the Bottom
Crawling
The Emptiness Machine
ACT II
The Catalyst
Burn It Down
Over Each Other
Where’d You Go
Waiting for the End
Castle of Glass
Two Faced
Joe Hahn Solo
When They Come for Me / Remember the Name
Casualty
One Step Closer
ACT III
Lost (hybrid version; 1st verse/1st chorus Mike and Emily piano into full band version)
Stained
What I’ve Done
ACT IV
Overflow
Numb
From the Inside
Heavy Is the Crown
Bleed It Out
ENCORE
Papercut
In the End
Faint
