Linkin Park to play UEFA Champions League final kick-off show

Linkin Park have been announced to perform at this year’s UEFA Champions League final show.

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The band will take to the stage at the Munich Football Arena on May 31 for a performance ahead of the kick off. It will include a new new version of their classic hit ‘Numb’, which will blend the riffs from the song with sounds inspired by UEFA Champions League football. You can view a taster of it below.

“With our new album and ongoing tour, we’ve been overwhelmed by the fans’ energy and excitement,” the band said.

“We can’t wait to share that same energy and excitement at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi. This marks a totally new experience for us as a band, and we’re excited to share some of our favourite songs from the past and present, with the thousands in the crowd and millions watching around the world.”

Fans can tune in to watch the kick off show through the official UEFA YouTube channel on the day here.

Last year, Lenny Kravitz performed at the show ahead of the final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at London’s Wembley Stadium. Madrid won the match 2-0. Anitta performed the year before.

Elsewhere, the band recently shared their latest single ‘Up From The Bottom’ from their huge comeback album ‘From Zero’. That record marked the first since the tragic death of frontman Chester Bennington, and saw Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong join the band as the new singer.

The band head will hit Europe and UK as part of their world tour later this year, including a stop at Wembley Stadium on June 28 – see all announced tour dates here. Visit here to buy UK tickets, and here for international tickets.

They are currently performing in the US and recently announced a limited number of discounted tickets for all dates on that tour while also downsizing their LA show. You can purchase tickets here.

‘From Zero’ was given a three-star review by NME, which described the record as having “an intriguing mix of sensational, knockout stadium rock and some perplexingly tired songwriting”.

“Crucially, ‘From Zero’ must be viewed as a reset, exemplified by its title which pays homage to the band’s former name: Xero,” it read. “Therefore, any inevitable comparisons to their largely masterful discography must bear in mind the place from which ‘From Zero’ was born: an organic desire from Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn and Shinoda to create together as Linkin Park once more.”

The band will release a deluxe edition of the LP on May 16 (pre-order here).

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