REVIEW: Why Evanescence Was Worth Breaking My 'No Large Venue' Rule
06/23 @ SPAC, Saratoga Springs
Photos by Elissa Ebersold
“From the energy they brought to the stage to the effort put into every visual element of the production, it was clear they cared about giving the audience an unforgettable experience rather than simply getting through another stop on the tour.”
Despite the fact that I am strongly opposed to large venues for concerts, especially because tickets on average cost a lot more than a rinky dink dive bar or a basement comparable to a dungeon, my first experience at SPAC was well worth my money thanks to Evanescence and their incredible openers. I even tore apart my closet trying to put together an outfit worthy of Amy Lee's incredible fashion sense. She has been an icon since day one, and seeing her perform live only solidified that.
The first opener was Nova Twins, a U.K.-based rap-rock fusion band, which is a genre I had not really dipped my toes into yet, and I am so glad I got introduced to their music. The bassist, Georgia South, was impossible to take my eyes off of. Her energetic movements on stage, jumping around without seeming to lose any steam, and her bright red hair perfectly matching the performance she put on, moving in sync with her every move, was unlike anything I have ever seen before.
And lead vocalist and guitarist, Amy Love, had a powerful range, able to perfectly transition from the quick succession of lyrics for the band’s rap elements, to being able to scream into the mic with unwavering power for the rock half. Love noted that she knew most of the audience had never heard of them as they don’t often perform in the U.S., but I certainly hope they return someday on their own — I will be first in line for tickets.
Following the Nova Twins, the main supporting act, Spiritbox, took the stage. They were the perfect pick as an opener for Evanescence, and that is an understatement. Their post-metal sound and intense, raw vocals from Courtney LaPlante almost perfectly mimicked the type of music created by the headliner. Laplante even looked similar to Amy Lee, with the same beautiful, long, black hair that suits their musical careers.
It would be a massive disservice if I failed to mention the instrumentalists of Spiritbox: lead guitarist Mike Stringer, bassist and vocalist Josh Gilbert, and drummer Zev Rose. Rose, up on a pedestal with a spotlight drawn on him, playing a drumset that had a bass drum adorned with what looked like a clock decal, worked beautifully with Gilbert and Stringer. Each working together to create a beautiful, metal symphony that engulfs your eardrums and makes the hair on the back of your neck stick up.
I often find that openers “mog” their headliner counterparts because they have to put on their best show to get the attendees to want to see more of them after the concert concludes. Whereas the headlining act has a far more concrete, preestablished fan base that will not care whether their performance was subpar because they love them enough to keep coming back.
But despite the fact that the openers had incredible stage presence, Evanescence was worth every dime. Lee sounded exactly like she does on recording, which is something I rarely find myself saying after seeing artists live. Both her voice control and range were astounding, and her ability to perform physically demanding songs back-to-back without losing steam or sacrificing any of her vocal power was one of a kind. Lee’s emotionally-devastating vocals and lyrics were written on her face while she was performing. Even though a majority of the songs were from earlier in her career, the words she sang still clearly meant something to her. The devastation in her eyes when the lyrics carried a heavy emotional weight, and the fire behind them when they described taking power back, matched the instrumentals, the pitch and volume of her voice, and her facial expressions to a T.
Before performing “Forever Without You,” Lee gave a pep-talk to the audience, telling them that if any of them relate to the song that she still holds dear to her heart all these years later, to “never regret love.”
“You’re not bad, you’re not stupid, but you don’t have to stay,” she said. “And as scary and terrifying and as impossible as it may seem to take that first step out the door of a bad situation, I promise you it is infinitely better on the other side.”
She then grazed her fingers to the piano, showing her talent and versatility in the musical space. Being able to convey every emotion in her words and her vocals, from somber to screaming, energetic to melancholic movements, and her ability to not only get the chills from her voice alone, but her talent on the keys.
In their heavier songs, like the ever-popular “Bring Me To Life,” the screen that displayed a closer up view of the performers, changed to show all of them: Troy McLawhorn, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, Will Hunt, drummer, Tim McCord, guitarist, and Emma Anzai, bassist and backing vocalist. Each one of the free-roaming musicians moved across the stage with the same vivacious energy as Lee, and despite being the newest member, Anzai was incredible — her backing vocals were particularly incredible, the ethereal fusion of her voice with Lee's was remarkable and added an entirely new layer to songs that already felt larger than life. Hunt, despite being glued to the drums, brought the heat seated, headbanging his perfectly lengthed hair and twirling the sticks in between.
Their performance was incredible, and so was the set. A screen behind them displayed different edgy backgrounds when the songs were heavier, and matched the energy of the songs well, whereas during the slower sad songs, the screen displayed a music video-esque, larger scale version of the smaller enhanced screens for the further seats to see. At one point, they brought out fire around the rims of the stage when they began performing “About Us,” and raised Lee up on a platform.
More than anything, it was obvious that every member of Evanescence genuinely loves what they do. From the energy they brought to the stage to the effort put into every visual element of the production, it was clear they cared about giving the audience an unforgettable experience rather than simply getting through another stop on the tour.
After the concert, everyone around me was talking about how incredible the performance had been, and I couldn't agree more. Between two phenomenal opening acts, a setlist packed with fan favorites, and a frontwoman who somehow sounds just as powerful live as she does on a studio recording, Evanescence proved that some bands earn their legendary status every single night they step on stage.
