Project Description

HYBRID THEORY 

THE LINKIN PARK TRIBUTE 

@The Metro Theatre, NSW

12/02/2020

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Amelia Torresan

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When people typically think of Valentine’s Day celebrations, they instantly think flowers and a fancy dinner. For me, I prefer enjoying myself at a concert belting out some of my favourite songs, which is exactly what I did. I saw a Linkin Park tribute band, Hybrid Theory, perfectly perform all of Linkin Park’s biggest hits and really pay homage to their music.

I arrived at the Metro Theatre just as the second support band, local act Dreamers Crime were about to perform their set. Peter Repousis’ vocals were almost like a high-pitched husky shouting, as if M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold joined Bullet For My Valentine and became a band. I did enjoy his charisma and stage presence, which complimented the energy of the light show surrounding them. Dreamers Crime played a range of songs from their repertoire, including “Secrets” which I would deem as my favourite, “Silence,” “Here We Are,” and “I Believe in You.” They complimented the vibe that Hybrid Theory would soon bring to the stage and I thoroughly believe they were a good support act choice. During their set, to hype up the crowd, Peter Repousis told the crowd  “[in regards to Hybrid Theory] you’d think you’re watching Linkin Park if you closed your eyes.” And boy, was he right.

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After a brief intermission, it was time for Hybrid Theory to take to the stage. I bet when they were deciding a setlist, they had the phrase “go big or go home” in mind because the first song to play was ‘New Divide”  from Linkin Park’s 2009 album of the same name. INSTANTLY, I’m saying as soon as the first few notes were played, the entire crowd went NUTS, screaming and hollering at the popular song and already attempting a circle pit. Everyone, and I mean everyone, including myself was singing along to this song so loudly it almost drowned out the amplified vocals of the lead singer. Speaking of which, I couldn’t believe how incredibly similar lead vocalist and lead rapper of Hybrid Theory, Ivo Massana Rosário and Pedro Paixão sounded and looked like Chester Bennington, Linkin Park’s late vocalist, and Mike Shinoda. I personally have never seen Linkin Park live, but I wholeheartedly believe Hybrid Theory are truly the next best thing in look, sound and stage presence.

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As the setlist rolled on, songs such as “Burn It Down,” “With You” and “Figure 09” were performed, with the energy of the crowd matching the energy of Hybrid Theory on stage. Hybrid Theory are described as a “Linkin Park Tribute band BY fans of Linkin Park FOR fans of Linkin Park” and you could tell that the boys onstage had a genuine love and appreciation for the music they were performing just as the crowd had an appreciation for the music they were listening and singing along to. “Somewhere I Belong” and “Crawling” from their earlier albums were two songs that really had people losing their minds, as they are two of Linkin Park’s more well known, popular songs. Walking into this show, these were two of the six songs I knew beforehand due to emo/pop punk playlists on Spotify.

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I’d love to commend the crowd on their content energy to participate in circle pits for every song, particularly in “Given Up” from the 2007 Linkin Park album “Minutes to Midnight.” Given that it is a more aggressive sounding song, it’s the perfect vibe for a circle pit and some intense moshing. To compliment, Hybrid Theory followed up with “From The Inside,” an intense rock ballad which allowed the crowd to sing along to the chorus with Ivo.

“What I’ve Done” was the next iconic song on the setlist that I recognised instantly. The crowd scrambled to get phones out and record this song. It took me all night and most of today to try and figure out what movie this song was also featured in, until it hit me like a truck: Transformers (2007). Nevertheless, while watching the performance I felt like I had stepped into a music video and was a part of the crowd that is singing at the top of their lungs and you can hear them almost overpower the artist. It was the kind of performance that makes you short of breath, standing back, thinking to yourself “that was so awesome.” Not giving the audience any kind of break, Hybrid Theory went straight into the next high-energy song “Papercut,”which featured crowd-surfing (by Pedro Paixão), circle pits and energetic responses from the crowd in the mosh.

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As the show entered the second half of the setlist, Hybrid Theory proceeded to play a lineup of some of the most popular songs of the night, including “Points of Authority”, “Breaking the Habit,” featuring a cheeky feature of “Remember the Name” from the popular 2010 remake of ‘The Karate Kid,’ and “One More Light” which was the designated ‘take your phones out and sway your flashlights from side to side’ song. “Castle of Glass” was next and probably my favourite newly discovered song of the night. I really enjoyed how it was a bit softer than a typical Linkin Park song, all the while being somewhat spooky and catchy enough that it could potentially be a theme song for a Netflix Original fantasy series. I added that song to my Spotify ‘Liked Songs’ as soon as the show was over.

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Next were my two favourite Linkin Park songs out of their entire discography: “Numb” and “In the End”. These are the songs that you sing in the shower during your emo phase, that you try to cover with your high school band in the music rooms at lunch. As soon as I started singing, I swear I was transported back in time. Looking around at the crowd, I could tell they felt that way too; finally seeing a song they’ve listened to for years be performed infant of them. After these two songs were over, I assumed the set would finish because it’s standard for bands to end on their biggest song/s. However Hybrid Theory continued to play another 3 songs: “Room to Breathe,” “Faint,” and “Bleed it Out.” After a quick bow and words of thanks, the show was over. 

Just as I was about to leave, the members of Hybrid Theory, jumped off the stage to meet their fans in the mosh from the other side of the barrier, taking photos, shaking hands and joining in on sweaty hugs. I really appreciated that sight, since it is kinda unheard of for bands to come down and thank their fans in person, and face to face, rather than giving general thanks from a stage. I felt it was really a humble gesture of gratitude and the fans enjoyed it just as much as the band members did.

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Hybrid Theory are an incredible Linkin Park tribute band and their dedication to and love for their craft is undeniable. If you ever missed out on seeing Linkin Park perform in concert, Hybrid Theory is a near-perfect replica.

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