Memorable Live Performance

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: LINKIN PARK- WITH YOU AT ROCK AM RING 2026

Twenty five years ago at the Rock Am Ring festival in Germany, Linkin Park stole the show. They began their set that day with the song “With You” and in their own way, lured the thousands in attendance to turn their attention to the stage with the way they kicked it off. This 2001 performance became one of those of monumental significance.

Now in 2026, Linkin Park returned to Rock Am Ring as headliners and celebrated that significant moment in grand fashion by opening their most recent set the same way. The intro that DJ Joe Hahn starts creates a wave of excitement then the rest of the band runs on stage and singer Emily Armstrong hits her scream into gear just like Chester Bennington did in 2001. To pay homage to the night as well, even her jacket resembled that of Chester’s.

“With You” is a gem in the bands catalog. It’s great they brought it into their new live sets. The rest of the setlist for the show is great. Enjoy this very memorable set!

Linkin Park- With You: Live At Rock Am Ring 2026:

Linkin Park- With You: Live At Rock Am Ring 2001:

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS AT PINKPOP 1998

The Smashing Pumpkins are truly one of the most prolific bands of the last almost forty years. There is no denying the impact, influence and creativity that this band has had on so many.

Back in 1998, The Smashing Pumpkins released their album, Adore. While at the time, it divided the fan base, over time, Adore has become one of the bands most personal and intimate albums. While it may be a departure for some, Adore, actually harks back to the origins of the band, when they were more post-punk based. Funny enough too, the electronic elements on the album, was a precursor for what was to come in rock music.

The live performances during this time were something interesting and special. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlain was such a tour de force on drums that, the band recruited powerhouse Kenny Aronoff to play drums along with a couple other percussionists to make the sound come alive.

Let’s flashback to the summer of 1998, two weeks before the release of Adore. On June 1, 1998, The Smashing Pumpkins took the stage at the Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands. The Pumpkins were selected to step in for Pearl Jam. This live performance was one of those shows that has gone on to live in infamy. The Smashing Pumpkins set blended their new darker electronic sound and incorporated some quite fun new orchestral style elements into the songs.

Enjoy this very memorable Smashing Pumpkins live show!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Live At PINKPOP, 1998:

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: TOOL- CRAWL AWAY 2025

During Tool’s most recent tour in Australia, the band pulled out songs they haven’t played live in years. I don’t just mean like 5 years. We are talking 20 years plus. Songs that fans all over the world have been anticipating to make it in the set list for years. One of those that was played just so happened to be “Crawl Away.” “Crawl Away” is in my top 5 favorite Tool songs of all time. I absolutely love this song. And of course they bring it out and play it in Australia. Fun fact, “Crawl Away” up until this point had not been played live in 26 years. Yes that’s right TWENTYSIX YEARS! Up until November 22, 2025, the last time Tool played “Crawl Away” live was August 8, 1998. That’s just absurd and way to long to go without playing this song! So, here it is, “Crawl Away” LIVE for the first time in 26 years! Thankfully someone in the audience filmed it. Sorry Maynard but, this was a necessary filming!

Tool- Crawl Away (Live In Australia, 2025: First Time In 26 Years):

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: ALICE IN CHAINS WITH JAMES HETFIELD

The year is 2006 and Alice In Chains have begun their triumphant return. Getting out there and bringing the songs we all know and love back to life was one of those things that the universe got right. When this all started going again, you could tell that the fans were really glad to have Alice back. Granted the late Layne Staley was not a part of this but, William DuVall has truly shown he is up for the job and does a stellar job. During Alice In Chains summer festival run in Europe back in 2006, the band welcomed a very special guest to join them on stage for “Would?” That guest was the one and only James Hetfield of Metallica. This version of “Would?” is fantastic and will give you chills for sure. I still hope for the day we can get a Metallica and Alice In Chains tour! Can you imagine the how awesome that would be? I sure can! Enjoy this really memorable performance!!

Alice In Chains w/ James Hetfield- “Would?”:

GUEST VOCALS: ASHES DIVIDE WITH CHESTER BENNINGTON- THE OUTSIDER

I’ve been on a bit of an A Perfect Circle kick as of late. I’m pretty excited about the thought of new music from them. Especially since their last album, Eat The Elephant, was pretty disappointing. While going through my usual rabbit hole, I came across this fun video. If you are not aware, after A Perfect Circle went on “hiatus” in 2004, Billy Howerdel would go on to start a solo career. His first release was under the name Ashes Divide and the album, Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright. That year Ashes Divide was asked to be a part of Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution tour. During one of the stops on the tour, the late Chester Bennington joined Ashes Divide on stage for a version of A Perfect Circle’s “The Outsider.” It’s a pretty solid offering and just shows that Chester could sing pretty much anything, and it sounded good. If you haven’t seen or heard this before you are in for a treat. And seriously check out the Ashes Divide album, it’s really quite good.

Ashes Divide w/Chester Bennington- The Outsider (Live):

Ashes Divide- Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright:

Memorable Live Performances: Mad Season and Friends

Mad Season's 'Sonic Evolution' + 'Live At The Moore' remaster ...

In 2015, the surviving members of Mad Season, Mike McCready and Barrett Martin reconvened for an evening to celebrate the band and it’s album, Above. This special concert titled “Sonic Evolution. At this show they were accompanied by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The late Chris Cornell filled in on vocals for the dearly departed Layne Staley and Duff McKagan filled in on bass for the late John Baker Saunders. This concert is quite poignant and emotional. The songs picked for this show were quite interesting and the performances by each person really stand out. It just goes to show how great these songs are and how much of a lasting effect they still have. Enjoy this show!

Mad Season & Friends- Sonic Evolution: