The Linkin Park Underground Summit in Amsterdam came exactly two years after the Summit in Cape Town. By then, there were some differences.

To start, the dinner gathering the night before the Cape Town Summit amongst a couple of strangers is now what we call an LPU Meet Up at the Hard Rock Cafes. It’s always fun to see new and familiar faces in a calmer setting, talking about what we brought to get signed and making plans on when to meet the morning after.

Different is the amount of opportunities offered to win; as Shaun Muthaya recalled for the Summit in Cape Town, we could win a photo with Linkin Park, side stage, or a photo pass. Now, such as in Amsterdam, there are six raffle wins- the three original from Summits like Cape Town, now with the chance to win a backstage tour with Mike and Phoenix, and various options such as winning the Infinity x Linkin Park speaker, a Stramba figure, or watching the show in the sound booth with Pooch.

Amsterdam, along with more and more of the Summits, also saw a pairing of a band Q&Aand a soundcheck- which had the now rare-and-beloved A Place For My Head performed.

But despite the steady growth from one Summit to another, these two Summits of November 7th share what matters- friendships are made, such as my family I now visit in Cape Town almost on an annual tradition, many fans finally meeting one another in person, getting to connect with the crew that bring us the Linkin Park experience, a taste of culture as fans from around the world come together.

We are LPU.

7 NOVEMBER 2014 | AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

“On the 7th of November 2015 it is exactly one year ago that the Summit of the Linkin Park Underground took place in Amsterdam.”

For me, being a fan for fifteen years now, it was just unbelievable that the Summit took place in my country… in our capital city! What was even more special for me, though, is that it was only the second time going to watch them perform live (the first time was at Pinkpop 2012), and even the first time having a Meet & Greet with the guys. Needless to say, I was extremely excited!

I arrived early in the morning at the Ziggo Dome, and what I remember the most is just the cold… it was a typical autumn day in the Netherlands with the most shitty weather possible: cold, foggy and an icy wind. After waiting for about forty five minutes we finally could go inside and the awesome day could begin!

The Summit opened with a talk by Lorenzo welcoming everyone and mentioning it was a sold out Summit. After that there were different activities for the fans: an art wall, an auction and of course buying the lottery tickets for winning the much wanted prices, such as a backstage tour with Mike and Phoenix! Unfortunately there were some problems with the band arriving on time, which resulted in quite a long day for the fans. One thing that the fans hard-heartedly learned on this day was being patient.

Luckily for me I already met some awesome people to hang with, so we just spend the day laughing away and of course just having fun!

One highlight for me was the onstage tour. It was just so amazing to be able to stand on stage and hold the equipment of the band that you love so much. The other highlight of course was when Linkin Park finally arrived and we could listen to the private concert! The autograph signing was also really cool, but unfortunately due to so many people participating the Summit and the band arriving late, I couldn’t get all the autographs, but this was made up after the Summit. Very happy with my signed poster! Thank you Lorenzo, Lulu and the band. After that… well, what can I say, the band just played an amazing show which I enjoyed standing in front of the crowd!

I often look back at the LPTV video to just relive the whole day and just being amazed that I’m also in the video twice. It’s already unbelievable to meet your favorite band and spending a whole afternoon with them and also see them perform live, and then even being captured on the camera and being visible in their promotion video… that just meant the world to me.

However, the Summit would have never been this awesome without the fans. What also meant so much for me was meeting so many wonderful fans from the Netherlands ánd abroad. I only joined the LPU in 2012 and the Summit really gave me the opportunity to make me feel a part of the Linkin Park Family, as I would like to call it. I didn’t know any ‘real’ fans before that I could share my passion with, so it really felt like a warm welcome for me.

Through Linkin Park I have met the most amazing people and I’m really grateful for that! When I think back of the Summit, I just smile. The Summit really was a day to never forget.

-Raissa Walberg, Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands

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