Chris Faraone
Boston Herald

It’s rare that a concert sells out because every act on the marquee has a draw.

But it happened at the Avalon Ballroom Friday night. Underground heads came for The Demigodz, thinking rap fans came for Little Brother and everyone from skater punks to rock groupies swarmed the Fenway nightclub to cheer on Mike Shinoda and Fort Minor.

Following brief Myspace.com sets by rising regional artists, Celph-Titled, Apathy, Tak and Ryu of the Demigodz pummeled the crowd. The highly lyrical collective tossed battle raps back and forth, drawing howls from local backpackers when Apathy brought out Boston Demigodz representative Esoteric

North Carolina great white hope Joe Scudda summoned massive applause before introducing Phonte and Big Pooh of Little Brother. The soul-hopping pair proved mellow tracks can win over live crowds.

The crowd was already warm after an hour of rafter-bending hip-hop, but Shinoda and his Fort Minor posse brought even more heat. Backed by a DJ, one drummer, three backup singers, rap crew Styles of Beyond and a three-piece string section known as Black Violin, Shinoda delivered on his promise to bring a stadium-type show to the midsized venue.

The well-tuned collective sounded crisp and worked the crowd. Shinoda led with “Remember the Name” from Fort Minor’s “The Rising Tied” and dipped through a variety of new joints as well as“It’s Going Down” and other Linkin Park crowd pleasers.

From start to finish Shinoda bonded with his fans. Not only did he conjure a hectic vibe that most rappers can’t draw from their fans, but his vocal clarity was profound.

Anyone who came with doubts that the Linkin Park frontman could smash a hip-hop show no doubt left with assurance, as well as about 50 bucks worth for their $20 door charge.

Fort Minor with Mike Shinoda, Friday night at the Avalon Ballroom.