I can’t remember much from the past ten years in regards to shows, much less when I was just some brat in high school, but a certain Soldier in Los Angeles threatened to post a picture of me when my Gammy dressed me up as a carrot… in middle school; so let’s take a shot at remembering Linkin Park and Jay-Z at The Roxy.
Since it’s obviously a big success on DVD and there’s only so many songs to any existing set-list from that show, let’s not bother with the details anyone can know just by sitting down on a couch and turning on their television. If I remember correctly, I ended up at the show pretty much alone- friends ditched me, not digging the idea of a rock show (they didn’t believe Jay-Z actually worked with them, much less would be there), and Natasha had her ride bail on her at the last minute.
Can’t deny her parent’s dislike for both the music and myself….
But it ended up being pretty great; I’m sure as many know, it’s hard not to enjoy a Linkin Park show, no matter who you go with. What had always made a Linkin Park concert a damn amazing Linkin Park concert are the fans that come for Linkin Park. I think I made about twenty different friends in the line alone, some of whom I still chat with every now and then, and most of them started the conversations with “Dude, you’re shirt’s fuckin’ cool!”
There’s also the lady who had brought three of her kids, all different grades in high school. She adopted me and fed me pizza- I’ll never forget that amazing pizza.
Crammed inside was no big issue, I still think to this day Linkin Park fans clean up rather nicely and don’t smell. I remember some guys letting shorter girls in front of them, and the back was full with some pretty chill people. We were at the back because we were too lazy to wake up earlier, so that was that. No shoving, no fighting. Had I been old enough, I’m sure I could have enjoyed the whole show with a beer in hand.
What I mainly remember when thinking back to this show at any time is the clash that wasn’t there, though. It was a Linkin Park show, yes, but we also had Jay-Z, an idol to what few older friends I did have, and I was a decent fan of him myself. I remember a lot of kids at school thinking ‘shit will go down’ because of the ‘rock versus hip hop’ scene most liked to play into, but I think this show, and these two artists, proved it was all bullshit. I saw people in ratty Converse and band tees, and people with ball caps and expensive jeans, stand together in a tight venue, and enjoy the fuckin’ show. Some only knew Linkin Park lyrics, some only knew Jay-Z’s- and some knew both.
It’s silly, but it was pretty amazing two sides come together for the only reason that should matter- for the love of great music (and Mike Shinoda.)
Still hoping to this day for another collaboration I wouldn’t expect but surely enjoy.
(Sorry I’m old and can’t give more, Adie.)
–Rick Sanchez, Los Angeles/New York
Adie: Thanks Rick! Don’t worry, the review is great. I’m still gonna see that pic of you in a carrot costume…and if it’s the last thing I do.
