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Linkin Park, Incubus and Mutemath burn rubber

Honda Civic Tour
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL
August 24, 2012

Incubus

Mutemath

Linkin Park

Story and photos by Rob Grabowski

When the Honda Civic Tour made a pit stop at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on Friday night, the 18,000 in attendance were in for a diverse musical feast. Starting the evening off was Mutemath with their unique musical style of art inspired alt-rock that chases a particular audience, but seemed to be changing lanes all night and couldn't quite find the pace that they were searching for or what the crowd was hoping for.

Incubus took the show up a a few gears and set the pace for a wonderful ride with lead singer Brandon Boyd in the drivers seat. Boyd's amazing vocal range starts with a Chris Cornell deeper range while finding moments of clarity at times with an emotional energy that he pours into each note. The crowd was equally energized with a sing-a-long to mega-hit "Nice To Know You." Boyd appeared quite impressed with how his vocals were backed up admirably by 18,000 of his newest friends. While he slithered across the stage with an air of cool that would make the most seasoned rock star jealous, the female persuasion were mesmerized by his charm, good looks and charisma. The Lionel Richie song "Hello" was covered and at first I thought it was going to be a spoof rather than a serious rendition, but the life that was breathed into this classic love song had even the roughest and toughest in attendance genuinely singing along. The manic "Drive" appropriately, revved the engines and dropped into its very own overdrive. As Incubus raced into the home stretch, the crowd was extremely ready to do a little off-roading with the worlds angriest rock band, Linkin Park.

When they emerged with "A Place For My Head" Linkin Park put the pedal to the metal and went straight to redline with everyone hanging on for dear life. Chester Bennington screamed his heart out which was only rivaled by the rough and in-your-face lyrics that he and Mike Shinoda belted out throughout the night. "Waiting for the End," "Breaking the Habit," and "Numb" hit the crowd harder than a garlic milkshake. As LP raced for the finish line with "Faint" and "Lying From You / Papercut" everyone was celebrating winning the checkered flag with one of the world's most vicious fist pumping anthem's "One Step Closer." With the Honda Civic Tour's lineup this year, everyone was celebrating in victory lane and truly went on one wild ride.