Evanescence return to Birmingham on their ‘Sanctuary’ tour
The band brought Poppy along for the ride as they toured in the UK for the first time in 4 years.
Photo: Seanen Middleton / @seanenmiddleton
Growing up, my taste in music was all over the place. However, most of it came from an endless stream from my father, whose collection spans the likes of Spice Girls, Madness, The Beatles, The Cure, Avril Lavigne, Bob Marley and, importantly, Evanescence.
Back when physical media was all anyone knew, my father had it all: vinyl, CDs, cassettes and concert DVDs. There was this one Evanescence DVD from the Fallen era that he’d put on the TV constantly, and his CDs of Fallen and The Open Door soundtracked so much of my childhood that, when I saw they were touring in the UK, I knew I had to be there.
Getting down early-ish meant that we caught the end of Poppy’s cathartic set and were privy to witnessing her spell-binding performance, keeping the audience engaged and demanding they “open up the pit”, to which they gladly abided.
When the time came, the American rock outfit appeared on cue, walking to their respective spots on stage, opening the show with a whole slew of tracks from their latest album, Sanctuary, playing four consecutive songs — Sanctuary, Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough, Afterlife and Rapture — before delivering the audience exactly what was needed in that moment: Going Under.
Despite their latest album being as excellent as it is, 2003’s Fallen is a no-skip perfect album and Going Under opens proceedings. There’s something about Fallen that can’t be replicated. As far as debut albums go, this one only gets better with age, and it’s no surprise it translates so well live.
The band’s follow-up, 2006’s The Open Door, had the toughest act to follow when it came out, but delivered undeniable earworms like Lithium — which saw frontwoman Amy Lee take to a piano that rose onto the stage out of nowhere and inevitably pulled on the audience’s heartstrings — and Call Me When You’re Sober, with the performance of the latter delivering one of the best of the night.
The one song everyone knows, Bring Me To Life, brought anticipation, as I wanted to know how they’d perform it without Paul McCoy. No need to panic, of course, as the wonderful Amy took on those duties with ease, employing the audience to help her deliver an unforgettable performance.
After the audience were treated to Amy’s 2025 collaboration with Poppy and Courtney LaPlante alongside Poppy herself, I knew what was coming, and wasn’t sure if I was prepared.
One of the most emotional songs ever written, My Immortal, meant that Amy would take to the piano again, this time with a white curtain backdrop. There’s truly nothing that can prepare you for the gut-wrenching ache and tenderness of My Immortal, and hearing it live sent shivers down my spine.
Walking into Utilita Arena, I had no idea what to expect. I’d never so much as seen a clip of them live. Amy Lee’s vocals were a standout, even more so as she ran around the stage, managing to keep her voice steady and exactly how it sounds hearing it through a speaker in the comfort of your own home.
It wasn’t all about the music: the stage setup, pyrotechnics and videos displayed behind the band made this show feel complete, like it fit perfectly with the world the band have been building. It felt immersive, despite being glued to my seat the entire time. I don’t know how they did it; I don’t know how Amy sings like that, but I do know that if you don’t see them live, you’re missing out on one hell of an entertaining show.
Setlist:
Sanctuary
Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough
Afterlife
Rapture
Going Under
Lithium
Like You
Self Destruct
Calm Down
Call Me When You’re Sober
Fight Like a Girl (with K.Flay)
Beautiful Lie
Wasted on You
Forever Without You
Bring Me to Life
Imaginary
Better Without You
About Us
End of You (with Poppy)
Who Will You Follow
My Immortal
Wide Open Heart
