A Gamusa, 40,000 Fans and Linkin Park’s Electric India Debut

Linkin Park’s first-ever headline concert in India turned into a night of music, memory and meaningful cultural connection, as an Assamese gamusa unexpectedly took centre stage at the band’s Bengaluru show.

Performing before an electrified crowd of nearly 40,000 fans on Friday night, the iconic rock band delivered a power-packed two-hour set that blended timeless classics with newer material. While the show itself marked a milestone in the band’s India journey, one spontaneous moment quickly became its most defining highlight.

Midway through the performance, a fan tossed an Assamese gamusa onto the stage. Lead vocalist Emily Armstrong accepted it without hesitation and later tied it around her head while singing Faint, sending the crowd into raptures. The gesture drew thunderous cheers and rapidly spread across social media, with fans celebrating the moment as a rare and touching cultural crossover.

Adding to the warmth of the evening, Armstrong was also seen sporting an Indian cricket team jersey for a significant part of the concert — another nod that instantly resonated with Indian fans.

The Bengaluru show opened with Somewhere I Belong and featured a carefully curated setlist that moved seamlessly between legacy hits and tracks from the band’s latest album, From Zero. While newer songs like Heavy Is The Crown received strong responses, it was classics such as Numb and In The End that transformed the venue into a sea of voices, with tens of thousands singing in unison.

Reacting to the overwhelming energy, co-founder Mike Shinoda addressed the crowd, noting that the band had waited years to perform in India and that the Bengaluru audience had set an exceptionally high benchmark for the rest of the tour.

Following the concert, Linkin Park is now headed to Mumbai, where they are scheduled to headline Lollapalooza India 2026 on Sunday — expected to be one of their biggest performances in the country.

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