Linkin Park rule out Chester Bennington hologram tour

Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington
Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington (Image credit: Getty)

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda says there’s “absolutely no way” that he would take part in a Chester Bennington hologram tour.

Bennington died in July this year at the age of 41, and during a recent live Instagram Q&A session, Shinoda was asked if he would consider heading out on a tour similar to the current Dio Returns shows.

Shinoda replied (via Alternative Nation): “Can we not do a holographic Chester? I can’t even wrap my head around the idea of a holographic Chester.

“I’ve actually heard other people outside the band suggest that, and there’s absolutely no way. I cannot fuck with that.”

He later added: “I can’t do a hologram Chester you guys, that would be the worst. For any of you who have lost a loved one, best friend, family member, can you imagine having a hologram of them? Awful. I can’t do it.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we’ll figure it out eventually.”

Shinoda has also revealed that he’s been working on a new song titled Looking For An Answer which he began writing following Bennington’s death.

He performed an early version of the track at the Chester Bennington tribute show at the Hollywood Bowl in October.

Shinoda said on Twitter: “The song is at step one. Who knows how many steps come next. But I promised to share the progress. Happy holidays.”

The 25 best Linkin Park songs

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda opens up about Chester Bennington

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.