SPIN

Los Angeles alt-metal band Linkin Park played an intimate benefit gig Wednesday night at their hometown Mayan Theatre -- the smallest venue they've played in over a decade. Together with opening act B'z, the best-selling artist in the history of Japan, the two bands supported Music for Relief (MFR) and solicited fans to donate funds to the Japan Tsunami Relief.

Fans who gave at least $500 were invited to the gig with a guest, while the top 50 contributors were treated to extras, like a meet-and-greet with the bands and signed instruments, and the top fundraiser watched the gig from the stage. The secret venue was announced only to qualifying fundraisers, and for good reason: Linkin Park, who usually sell out arenas, uncorked a 23-song set to 1,100 hardcore fans.

SPIN contributing photographer Andrew Herrold was invited to shoot the performance. Here, see 10 exclusive photos of Linkin Park and B'z in action.

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Frontman Chester Bennington stoked the crowd at the Mayan Theatre. "They started off the set with lots of older material, which got a big sing-along going," says Herrold.

Mike Shinoda (right) and Bennington traded verses on new tracks, including "The Messenger," "The Catalyst," "Fallout," and "Burning in the Skies," all from the band's 2010 effort A Thousand Suns. "The new material was really well received," says Herrold. "At one point Shinoda ran a full lap around the floor. Onstage he played more instruments that ever, including guitar and keyboards."

Shinoda later grabbed the mic and waxed nostalgic about the band's early days playing small venues, like the Mayan. "He was so excited to interact with the crowd and see his most hardcore fans in the flesh.".

In the crowd was super fan Kimberly Johnson from Denver, one of the top 10 fundraisers. She worked mowing lawns with her nephew to raise enough money to score a pair of tickets.

Linkin Park, including guitarist Brad Delson (left), Shinoda (middle), and Bennington (right), brought a full rock show to the Mayan Theatre. "Their visual show was pretty cool, too," explains Herrold. "A huge mirror-ball came down later in the show and a screen with projected graphics was controlled by DJ Mr. Hahn."

Shinoda (left) and Bennington (right) were presented with a $350,000 check signed by members of the audience. "Both bands were really touched by how large the contribution was," says Herrold.

"I'm in awe," Bennington said as he received the check. "We presented you fans with a challenge and you met it."

In their native Japan, the hard rock outfit B'z have released 45 consecutive No. 1 singles, 24 No. 1 albums, and sold more than 79 million records. They also became the first band from Asia to have their handprints and signatures on Hollywood's RockWalk.

"They practically do American rock better than Americans do," says Herrold. "They were so precise with everything they played. The singer Koshi Inaba was working the crowd and totally on point. It was weird: When he sang his English was spot-on, but between songs he could hardly speak English. But you could tell from his facial expressions that he was so excited about the show."

The 1,100 lucky fans that packed the Mayan Theatre came with their manners. "The crowd pumped fists and sang every word," says Herrold. "But there wasn't a mosh pit. It was a more refined gig. Everyone realized it was for a cause much larger than themselves, so people were respectful."

Prizes for the top fundraisers also included framed records and signed posters.

The $350,000 raised for the Japan Tsunami Relief came from 4,189 patrons from around the world!