Brad Delson has opened up about his decision to step back from performing live with Linkin Park. In a candid interview with Guitar World on Tuesday, Jan. 14, the 47-year-old guitarist explained his reasons for not joining the band on their upcoming 2025 tour.
“For me, and, I guess, all the guys, the last however many years gave us the opportunity to really think qualitatively about the band — what energizes us, where we feel most fulfilled, and where we thrive,” Delson shared.
Reflecting on the band’s journey, he continued: “It wasn’t like, ‘Let’s go back to what we were doing.’ It was, ‘Let’s take what we’ve learned to approach our roles with greater self-awareness and insight.’ I really thrive in the studio. I love making new things. That’s why I decided to focus my energy on that area.”
Delson also discussed why Alex Feder was chosen as his live performance replacement.
“It’s just a great friendship. He’s an amazing musician and a strong live player. I think he brings a lot to the show — and I’m really proud of the show,” he said.
Delson added: “Even though I’m not onstage, I put a lot of my creative love into it. I’ve always been obsessed with the setlist, the concept of the show, and how it flows. I worked really hard on it; that’s no different than the past.”
Delson further reflected on the addition of Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong as co-vocalist, seven years after Chester Bennington’s death in 2017.
“There’s something about her voice and her energy that just feels like Linkin Park energy. The nice thing about our two vocalists [including Mike Shinoda] is that they’re each really dynamic,” he explained.
He continued: “Part of the band’s identity is exploring the space between genres and juxtaposition. If you don’t have vocalists who can cover every genre, the band’s raison d’être would be stymied.”
Linkin Park made headlines in September with their announcement of the band’s return, featuring the additions of Armstrong, 38, and drummer Colin Brittain, 38.
Rather than simply “trying to restart the band,” the group prioritized strengthening their friendships and creative dynamics by collaborating with other musicians. This approach eventually led them to Armstrong and Brittain.
Mike Shinoda, 47, expressed excitement about the new lineup, saying the band felt “really empowered with this new lineup,” adding, “We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones.”