Despite my indie music snobbery, I'm always game for some good ol' mainstream rock. Last night, I traded in my skinny jeans for something a tad baggier, and headed up to Madison Square Garden where Linkin Park's 19-date arena tour was making a stop. Although I'm familiar with most of LP's music, I was mostly going for openers Coheed and Cambria...their cheeky/cannibalistic video for "Feathers" won me over a few weeks ago.

Coheed recently enlisted former Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Pennie, so I predicted a set heavier than usual. The four-piece used the stage time to showcase their range in style, playing both pop and metal songs spanning a handful of their records. Lead singer Claudio Sanchez, a physical mash-up of Hurley and Cousin It, put on an incredible performance, bringing the "guitar-shredding behind my head" trick back from the '80s. Two female back-up singers accompanied the band, harmonizing with Claudio's wailing vocals. Coheed closed with an overly energetic rendition of "Welcome Home," which may have been the best song of the night.

Once Coheed walked off, Linkin Park's two-level stage was quickly constructed. The lights came up on a bare stage, containing nothing but a keyboard. The first few measures of "Give Up" rang from the speakers, releasing all the pent-up excitement of the sold-out crowd. A drum set and DJ booth slowly emerged from the floor, as the members of Linkin Park stormed the stage. Ah, the surprises of an expensive arena show. The band launched into an exciting set filled with all their radio hits, and a few of their lesser known ballads.

For a band that has sold over 50 million albums, the boys of Linkin Park seemed like a modest, humble group of guys. They were appreciative that they've gotten to this point in their careers, and made a point to engage the fans as much as possible. Both vocalists, Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington, would periodically hop into the crowd, and rock out with the rest of the pit. The Jew-Froed guitarist Brad Delson made a point of entertaining the fans in the cheap seats. The only band member who seemed apathetic was synth DJ Joe Hahn who spent the set behind an Apple laptop and turn tables. Chances are he was on iChat the whole time.

To top off a great set, the band returned for a second encore, this time flashing Jay-Z's signature dynasty hand sign. Sure enough, Hova himself emerged from back stage to perform two songs from Collision Course, the mash-up album he released with Linkin Park in 2004. Needless to say, the crowd lost it. The show had all the bells and whistles we could hope for.

Here are some lo-res shots from the night:

Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park

Jay-Z

A head-banging Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria

Here's what's left of the tour: