Two of the remixes by DIGITALOMAT and ill Audio have since been released via the band 's webpage as free mp3 downloads , while two by Cale Pellick and DJ Endorphin been released on an exclusive German release of " The Catalyst " . The music video for " The Catalyst " , directed by Joe Hahn , premiered on August 26 , 2010 . On August 31 , 2010 , it was announced that the band would give their first live performance of the single at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12 , 2010 , at Griffith Observatory . The venue was kept secret until the performance , although it was revealed to be a prominent landmark in Los Angeles . The single peaked at number one on the '' Billboard '' Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts , and on the UK Rock Chart . The single also peaked at number twenty-seven in the '' Billboard '' Hot 100 upon the release of '' A Thousand Suns '' , and spent five weeks on the chart . " The Catalyst " was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) in July 2011
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
A Thousand Suns