Global music giants Linkin Park and 5SOS add Adelaide to Aussie tours
In a major coup for SA, a pair of global music acts are Breaking the Habit of snubbing Adelaide and have added shows, as industry confidence builds in the city's concert-going reputation.
Two of the world’s biggest bands have revealed they are coming to Adelaide after initially snubbing the city on their upcoming Australian tours.
In a major coup for SA, US rap-rock icons Linkin Park and Aussie pop group 5 Seconds of Summer have announced Adelaide concert dates next year as confidence grows in the local music industry.
The reformed Linkin Park, now fronted by Emily Armstrong following the tragic death of singer Chester Bennington in 2017, will play at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday, March 12. It’s one of seven massive arena shows around Australia on their From Zero world tour.
Boy band 5 Seconds of Summer has also confirmed a gig at the Entertainment Centre on November 4 as part of their Everyone’s a Star! world tour, which includes stops in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda said the group, also featuring Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, and Colin Brittain, were thrilled to be coming back to Adelaide – 12 years on from their last visit.
“Adelaide is a special town for us... and it’s been so long since we’ve been there,” Shinoda told The Advertiser.
“The fans have been so excited and the response has been so good that we wanted to strike while the iron is hot and get to as many places as we could.”
Michael Coppel, music promoter for global superstars such as Pink and Metallica, said Adelaide was slowly becoming a must-visit city for big-name acts.
“Adelaide has really turned it on lately. Passionate fans, packed shows and a buzzing live scene have made the city a solid stop on the Australian touring circuit,” said the Live Nation Australasia chairman.
“The fans are engaged, the shows perform strongly, and the broader industry is taking notice. That level of support gives promoters real confidence, and it is why acts like Linkin Park and 5 Seconds of Summer are making sure Adelaide is on their next tour.”
International stars have long bypassed Adelaide on their Australian visits, with Taylor Swift, Lizzo and Harry Styles, to Coldplay, Green Day, Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam and The Killers among those who have avoided the City of Churches over the last two years.
But the likes of Pink, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran and Metallica have recently bucked the trend.
Linkin Park reunited in September 2024, seven years after the death of co-frontman Bennington, who had long struggled with depression and addiction.
Shinoda, who co-founded the group in 1996, said the response had been overwhelming since their return to the stage.
He said the older band members needed some time away but were now finally in a good place to move forward with new lead singer Armstrong.
“For anybody who loses a friend or a family member, you hope you can get to a point where you can just enjoy your life and get back to who you are,” Shinoda said.
“Making music and playing shows is a huge part of my identity and what I get out of life and to be able to do that and not be bogged down by the tragedy of the past is a real blessing.
“Of course there are times when it strikes me but it’s a nice thing usually these days... with some distance you get to do that with some warmth and nostalgia that you can’t have earlier.”
Shinoda said their shows next year would be a “nice balance of the old and the new”.
“These shows are about the new chapter, we play most of the songs from the new album... and then two-thirds of the set is older material,” he said.
Linkin Park tickets for the Adelaide show go on sale on December 12 at LinkinPark.com/Tour
5 Seconds of Summer pre-sale tickets will be available from December 8 at livenation.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Global music giants Linkin Park and 5SOS add Adelaide to Aussie tours
‘Every step a miracle: Alexa Leary conquers NYC Marathon
