Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Talks Brad Delson’s Tour Absence

Linkin Park’s reunion, complete with a fresh album release last Friday, has been making waves. Yet, the band’s current lineup feels like a revolving door. With Chester Bennington’s tragic loss in 2017 and drummer Rob Bourdon sitting this one out, it’s already a scaled-back return. Adding to the shuffle, lead guitarist Brad Delson isn’t hitting the road either. A band once known for its steadfast lineup now feels like it’s hosting auditions. This sudden shift is jarring, considering they had zero personnel changes from their rebranding as Linkin Park in 2000 to Bennington’s death. At least Mike Shinoda has clarified that Delson remains part of the band, even if his absence raises eyebrows.

In an interview with the Zach Sang Show, Shinoda shed some light on Delson’s decision to skip the tour. Spoiler alert: it’s not about creative differences or “new directions”—it’s a matter of mental health.

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Guitarist Brad Delson skips touring due to mental health considerations, with a replacement stepping in for live performances.

Here’s what Shinoda had to say about it:

“Brad is our guitarist — he’s in the band — but he’s realized… it’s kind of a mental health thing. He doesn’t love the touring and the live show lifestyle. So he is our guitarist, but he’s not playing live.

“He found a guy named Alex who’s spectacular, a really good guitarist, and they get along great. Brad chose Alex to play his parts live. At the time, we hadn’t met Alex, so we asked Colin Brittain. I said, ‘Brad needs somebody to play guitar, and we need a drummer. You do both equally well. What would you wanna do?’ And he was just like a kid in a candy store. I think he said, ‘I can’t believe what you’re asking me right now.’ He was so excited.”

Shinoda’s explanation is clear enough: Delson isn’t touring because he’s prioritizing his mental health, but his role within the band is unshaken. That said, the tale takes a curious turn when drummer Colin Brittain enters the narrative. Initially considered as a potential touring guitarist, Brittain ended up behind the drum kit instead. The story behind this decision? Nowhere to be found. The interview moves on before anyone gets a straight answer.

With two core members missing in the studio and three absent on tour, Linkin Park’s lineup is starting to look more like a supergroup mash-up than the band fans grew up with. Sure, plenty of bands have cycled through members like a game of musical chairs, but Linkin Park wasn’t that band. They were the constant, the group you could rely on to stick together. Seeing new faces at their shows might feel off to some, though it seems the crowds are eating it up regardless.

As for me? I’ll save the hype confetti until this “new era” of Linkin Park proves it’s more than just a patched-up lineup and a hopeful reunion. For now, it’s a curious experiment that seems to have fans nodding along, even if a few heads are tilted in confusion. Enjoy the show, folks—but don’t blame me if it feels more like Linkin Substitute.

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