EVANESCENCE & LINDSEY STIRLING Bring Their Rousing Co-Headling Tour To LA’s Greek Theatre!

Produced by Live Nation, the GRAMMY® Award-winning rock band Evanescence have been on tour since early July with the acclaimed Billboard Award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling. This tour wraps up tomorrow (9/8) in Ridgefield, WA.

This co-headlining tour has featured both artists accompanied by a full orchestra, highlighting both acts musicality and their incredible performance abilities that continue to blow fans away night after night.

This writer attended their 9/4 (Tuesday) sold-out show at LA’s Greek Theatre. 

Formed in the mid-90’s, Evanescence has released four full-length albums; Fallen (2003), The Open Door (2006) Evanescence (2011) and Synthesis (2017). The group is currently made up of lead singer-songwriter and pianist AMY LEE, bassist TIM MCCORD, drummer WILL HUNT, lead guitarist/backing vocalist TROY MCLAWHORN and guitarist JEN MAJURA.

Very few voices can go head to head with a full 20-plus piece orchestra. The Evanescence front-woman, Amy Lee most certainly can do just that. The singer’s mega-powerful pipes soared through the venue and over the sold out audience and probably even into the nearby neighborhoods.

Lee’s attire was just as eye catching and spectacular as her voice. She wore a large flowing white tulle skirt with a shiny dark metallic glittery addition on top of it and a black tight long-sleeved top. Her signature long black hair fell down her back and she found every opportunity to whip it around throughout the show.

For each and every song performed during Evanescence’s set, it was hard not to be overwhelmed and in awe of Lee’s gorgeous tone. She effortlessly belted out one beautiful note after another. There’s also no denying what an incredibly talented group of musicians that were behind her. This is a group of well seasoned artists.

Evanescence performed many songs found on their latest 2017 album, “Synthesis” including “Overture,” “Never Go Back,” “End of the Dream,” ‘The In-Between” and others. They of course played the older favorites like “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal.” The crowd was delighted when Lindsay Stirling came on during their set to perform their 2003 duet “Hi-Lo.”

As if she couldn’t impress the crowd even more, half-way through the show, Amy dazzled in a captivating version of The Beatles’ “Across The Universe.” While still staying true to the original version, it also maintained an Evanescence sound to it as well.

Evanescence ended the show with a rocking medley of Karl Jenkins’ “Palladio” and covers of Ozzy Osborne’s “No More Tears” and Sia’s “Alive.”

After a brief intermission, another full orchestra was back on stage for Lindsey Stirling’s fiery set.

In the time since her 2012 self-titled debut was released , the electronic music impresario, violinist, dancer and artist has quietly and humbly become one of the 21^st century’s most innovative stars by clinging to her groundbreaking vision of cinematic violin-driven electronic music. She has released four full-length albums; the aforementioned Lindsey Stirling“(2012), Shatter Me (2014), Brave Enough“(2016) and Warmer in the Winter (2017). Along with all of the recording, Stirling was also the runner-up on Season 25 of ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars” with her partner Mark Ballas.

While it’s very obvious that she is an incredibly gifted musician, it also must be noted what an amazing dancer Stirling is. Throughout her energetic and fast-paced set, she demonstrated numerous dancing skills. She also somehow managed to pull off intricate choreography all while playing the violin vigorously. For each of her songs the style of dancing would change to fit the tone of the song and four dancers would accompany her on stage too. There was moon-walking, ballet , Bollywood movements and so much more. She changed outfits several times and was constantly moving around the entire stage.

There were also a few quieter moments where she would walk to the mic standing at the far left of the stage and just talk to the crowd. She shared what it was like getting started and how insecure she was in college and how she suffered from depression and anorexia. Lindsey was charming, silly in all the right places and above all, genuine and sincere.

Two big highlights of Stirling’s set was when Amy Lee returned to the stage to sing “Shatter Me” and when blues singer-songwriter ZZ Ward appeared to sing “Hold My Heart.”  Other songs heard during the performance was “The Arena,” “Moon Trance,” “Take Flight,” “Crystallize,” “Mirage” and more.

From her very first plucked note to the very last, Stirling’s energy seemed unstoppable. She is truly an inspirational musician.

Media praise for Evanescence’s live show include:

“Lee firmly re-establishes herself as one of rock’s pre-eminent vocalists, exhibiting an impressive range that still packs a wallop…a synthesis of rock, classical and EDM” – Variety

“The majesty of Ms. Lee… was undeniable.” – Wall Street Journal

 “a delight….[Amy Lee’s voice] was enough to make you wonder whether she was a rock star or an opera star.” – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 “the show presented Lee in the way she was perhaps always meant to be heard.” – Sydney Morning Herald

Media praise for Lindsey Stirling’s live show include:

“Can a violin concert be epic? Lindsey Stirling proves that, yes. Yes, it can.” – Denver Post

“Live, Stirling’s performance takes on a new level of respect as you see her stiff left arm holding the violin while her body twists, contorts and moves around. She never misses a note or beat as her music carries the listener on a whirlwind of instrumentals.” – Creative Loafing

“Stirling occupies a truly unique space in music and has a lot to give to her fans who continue to welcome her into their lives with open arms.” – Daily Hive

 “A genre defying artist… Stirling continues to defy your ridiculous music categories” – Huffington Post

“the innovative violinist crafts a sonic soundscape that taps listeners’ imagination.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

(Quotes from 42West)