Mischa Pearlman, Kerrang!, Fall 2018
Mike Shinoda shows a chilly New York how it's done.
The last time Mike Shinoda played New York, his debut solo album, Post Traumatic, had just been released. On that June night, the musician was alone, running through a career-spinning set list that included solo songs, Linkin Park tunes and some from his hip-hop side-project, Fort Minor. Tonight, he's on a rooftop outside, in far colder weather, and in front of a much bigger crowd, with Dan Mayo and guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Matthias Harris in tow. And while Mike has already proven that he's more than capable of enthralling a crowd on his own (as well as bringing up one lucky fan onstage to rap with him), this evening the two extra members seemingly take the pressure off, helping him turn up his already-beaming smile throughout the night.
Don Broco might not initially seem like an obvious opening band, but the Bedford four-piece actually match Mike's set incredibly well in both spirit and tone. Launching confidently into Everybody, frontman Rob Damiani's energy is infectious, while the song's pop-tinged swagger wins over the crowd almost immediately. And it's an enthusiasm that remains for the rest of their set - especially for the high-octane grooves of Nerve and set-closer T-Shirt Song.
Mike, too, thrives off the energy coming his way. Whether performing the infectious hip-hop of Fort Minor's Petrified and Remember The Name, tracks from Post Traumatic, Linkin Park material or a mash-up of Waiting For The End and Fort Minor's Where'd You Go, he reveals himself as an inspiringly versatile artist. Of course, the Big Moment everyone's waiting for is In The End. Mike plays it alone, the entire audience belting out Chester's parts over his tender piano, filling the air with infinite appreciation for their fallen hero. It's a beautiful moment that fights the cold air with a bright burst of warmth and love.
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