Projekt Revolution comes to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

There was a moment during Linkin Park’s set on the Projekt Revolution tour last Sunday where emcee/guitarist/keyboardist Mike Shinoda looked out at the nearly sold-out crowd at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine and could only smile.
And why wouldn’t he? It had only been about 15 months since his alt rock sextet burst back onto the music scene after almost a three year absence by headlining KROQ’s “Weenie Roast” at the same amphitheatre, and already his group’s mission was complete. They proved that “Minutes To Midnight,” the band’s album that broke its rap/rock barriers and was largely panned by critics, was a success after all. And this tour was their victory lap.
Projekt Revolution was the moniker coined by the members of Linkin Park for the tour they put together in early 2002. Every year—except during the group’s hiatus in 2005 and 2006— the tour has rocked one of the most diverse lineups in a summer tour. This year was no exception.
After a brief set by the talented drum group Street Drum Corps, alt rock quintet Ashes Divide got things going on the tour’s mainstage. Fronted by the founder and guitarist of A Perfect Circle, Billy Howerdel, Ashes Divide played songs off of its debut album, “Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright,” which was released last April.
Cranking through tracks like “Stripped Away,” “Forever Can Be” and “Enemies,” Howerdel and his young band sounded flawless through the amphitheatre’s powerful sound system. It was evident, however, that it was the group’s first major tour by its stage presence. There wasn’t much movement or energy to fill the large stage, but after a few tours that may change.
Next up was the New York-based dance rock band, The Bravery. I apparently missed when this band became popular, but they seemed to command a large portion of the crowd. Opening up with “Swollen Summer,” frontman Sam Endicott and company were a fireball of energy as they eased through “No Brakes,” “Believe,” “Time Won’t Let Me Go” and others.
The group even put an interesting live spin on well-known old hit “An Honest Mistake” that made it a little more rock sounding. It was an enjoyable twist.
Rock legend Chris Cornell graced the stage next. Best known as the frontman for popular rock groups Soundgarden and Audioslave, Cornell also has two solo discs out with a third on its way. 
But Cornell didn’t limit his hour-long set to just that solo material, he showcased music spanning his impressive 24-year career. He played Soundgarden favorites like “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman,” Audioslave hits like “Cochise” and “Show Me How To Live,” and solo efforts like “No Such Thing.” The only music that felt a little out of place were his new solo tracks. Cornell has been working with hip-hop producer Timbaland on his newest record, and the latest songs sound a lot more pop than rock.
The crowd really went crazy when Cornell was joined by Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington to do a duet on “Hunger Strike,” a song originally played by Temple of the Dog, another group Cornell fronted. He rewarded the crowd by climbing into the pit and allowing audience members to sing along with him before crowdsurfing during “Rock Band” favorite “Black Hole Sun.”
Cornell’s set could have easily stolen the show if Linkin Park didn’t come out swinging, but they did. Channeling the Blue Man Group, openers Street Drum Corps returned to the stage sporting backlight reactive paint on their suits and faces while they played an elaborate drum into. They were soon joined by all six members of Linkin Park to open with KROQ hit “What I’ve Done.”
The band cranked through high energy renditions of “Faint,” “No More Sorrow,” an updated version of “Wake,” “Given Up,” “Lying Away From You” and “Don’t Stay” before addressing the crowd. And the momentum continued through hits like “Numb,” “In The End” and “Bleed It Out.”
One of the best parts of seeing Linkin Park live is the creative intros and outros they do for several songs. Some of the harder songs have extended “rock out” outros, and even the softer songs are given special touches. Shinoda did a brief cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” with his keyboard after “Numb.”
A piano version of “Pushing Me Away” began the double encore that also included “Breaking The Habit” and “Cure for the Itch.” The single that started it all, “One Step Closer,” closed out the night.
Overall, Projekt Revolution was an enjoyable day of rock. The $70 price tag seemed a little steep for the four bands, although Atreyu, 10 Years, Hawthorne Heights and Armor For Sleep did play on the smaller “Revolution Stage” for the early arrivers. 
With Linkin Park supposedly heading back into the studio after the end of this tour, hopefully it won’t take them another three years to finish their next record.