I see tie-dyed pink t-shirts, loads of black t-shirts, jeans with silver accessories, and spiked hair. I know I am in the right place where Linkin Park is performing tonight. This is probably the biggest artist that I have written about. The fans move as a joint, a united front. They all look like they belong, like they have a shared identity. Today, I am not going to be talking about the legendary Linkin Park themselves, because we know they are an American rock band. After the death of their lead singer, Chester Bennington, in 2017, they took a 7-year hiatus. They have only recently returned with a new drummer and a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong.
But, boy, am I glad they did. I mean, all those things I had studied about subcultures in social science back in high school were now being shown to me practically. I saw so many graphic t-shirts, so much gelled hair, so many tattoos, so many leather jackets. And I loved it. It made sense to me that people who are coming to watch a band that’s sold 100 million records and topped charts in over 20 countries would share a similar sense of identity in terms of how they dressed to show up for them. I have always loved seeing this shared camaraderie, like when Taylor Swift came to town and everyone dressed up in colorful dresses, skirts, t-shirts with colorful friendship bracelets.
So many cultures were present there today, so many ages, some young teenagers, some adults who had been teenagers when they discovered Linkin Park. But my god, did the love flow. The merchandise line wait was an hour, and many wore the t-shirts they had gotten from their previous shows. This was a band that, even after 7 years, was able to sell out huge arenas like Rogers. People came from all over BC and from the USA to ensure they did not miss out on a show that wasn’t going to be anything less than spectacular. What a loyal fanbase. People brought their children, wanting to pass on their favorite band to them.
Many people have misconceptions that people who like rock bands are people who are depressed or somehow angry or rebellious. Yes, they could be going through those phases when they discover the band and maybe the music speaks out to them more than it would at any other time, but phases don’t create legends like Linkin Park. Consistency in love for them, in buying tickets, in buying merch, creates a successful band. If people only listened to them when they were depressed, they would not be at the level they are today. I guess what I really want is for us to stop saying that men who listen to romantic songs are feminine, whoever listens to classical music is boring, whoever listens to pop is shallow and predictable, and whoever listens to rock is depressed. What today has proved to me when I saw the thousands of people out there for a sold-out rock band show: a mix of age, culture, gender, I realized how one type of music can speak to so many different people in so many different ways. Don’t you think?