There has long been a thirst for big international rock acts among Chinese music fans, and American rock band Linkin Park lived up to the expectations Sunday night at their Chinese mainland debut in Shanghai.

American rock band Linkin Park perform at Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

When home-grown rock boys of Thin Man opened the night with a half-hour performance, the audience was so impatient they chorused for their American idols.

Linkin Park finally appeared on the stage at around 9 pm and when the prelude of One Step Closer began, delirious fans stood up and began the rock journey.

It was a two-hour show of deafening rock followed by chords from the full-house audience.

The six-piece Linkin Park, which is among the most popular Western rock bands in China, performed old hit songs such as In the End, Numb, and Somewhere I Belong, and wrapped up the show with new hits like What I've Done.

The band is slated to rock their fans in Hong Kong on Tuesday before hitting Tokyo on November 23.

Mike Shinoda of American rock band Linkin Park performs at Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

Chester Bennington, lead singer of American rock band Linkin Park, performs at Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

Brad Delson, guitarist of American rock band Linkin Park, performs at Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

American rock band Linkin Park perform at Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

The six members of US rock band Linkin Park poses for a photo at a press conference on Sunday in Shanghai.

(CRI November 19, 2007)