In a new interview with Guitar Player, former Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson admitted that it feels a bit odd to see someone else on stage playing guitar for the band these days.

“Yeah, it’s a different experience,” the guitarist explained. “It’s pretty cool in a way, ’cause I never got to see the show ever, in real time. If you’re onstage you don’t really get to see what’s going on.”

“I remember being at the Forum and just watching it,” he continued, mentioning the band’s September 11 show in Inglewood, California. “We put a lot of love into the creative of the show. Even though I’m not onstage, I’m still intimately involved. I helped design the set list and the whole flow of the show, and every day we talk about the shows. It’s a huge labor of love.”

He also pointed out that the new guitarist, Alex Feder, “is my friend, and he’s doing a great job. So it’s win-win.”

After seven years of inactivity, Linkin Park reunited this year with a new singer. However, Delson clarified that he was leaving the band. “I’ve always felt deeply connected to and proud of our live performances. Over the years I’ve realized I thrive most when I’m actively working with my bandmates behind the scenes––in the studio, collaborating on our new music, and helping build our live show,” he wrote in a part of his lengthy statement.

Mike Shinoda recently explained in more detail why the guitarist decided to leave. “In case anybody doesn’t understand the dynamic, Brad is our guitarist. He’s in the band, but he’s realized that… it’s kind of a mental health thing,” he said on the Zach Sang Show. “He doesn’t love the touring and the live show lifestyle, and 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, and Brad chose Alex to play his parts live.”

In other news, earlier this week Linkin Park announced details of a huge world tour for 2025, and it includes a stop at London’s Wembley Stadium.

The shows are part of the ongoing ‘From Zero’ tour and will start early next year, visiting stadiums and arenas across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Special guests for this extensive tour will include Queens of the Stone Age, Spiritbox, AFI, Architects, Grandson, Jean Dawson, JPEGMAFIA, and PVRIS.