Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Live Nation (https://www.livenation.com/ )
Venue: Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (https://www.facebook.com/TalkingStickResortAmphitheatre/ )
Date: Wednesday July 15th, 2026
Tour: Sanctuary Tour 2026
It’s been 15 years that I have been waiting to see Evanescence. I believe that Amy Lee is one of the best front women out there today. Was it worth the wait, HELL YES. Amy Lee and the band put on a fantastic show.
For me there are always 3 parts of the show: The singing and performance, the music selection and finally the stage presentation. Tonight’s show has all 3 in spades.
Let’s start with the stage presentation. The stage consisted of a piece of the stage jetting out into the audience. Then there was the raised back part of the stage with the drum kit. Connecting the front of the stage to the raised back was a ramp. How comes the really performance enhancing parts. During the show, Amy disappeared beneath the stage jetty. Then they raised her baby grand piano and she was siting at it. During the show the piano disappeared and returned a couple of times. Then on the raised back part of the stage came something different. At a couple of times during the show, the drummer was raised on a scissored lift. On either side of the drum kit were two other platforms that also raised. The guitarists would stand on the platforms as they moved. Once Amy Lee got on the raised platform. During the show they set of the pyro-technics. Behind the rear raised stage they had an entire row of flames. And off to either side of the stage were standards that were covered in flames. To top it off, them even had fire pots that went off at different times. It really amazed me how the band handled it. They were all dressed in long sleeve shirts and long pants. I was dying in the audience from the 110+ degree temperature and when the fire went off, I swear the temperature raised about 10 to 15 degrees and I was 20 rows back.
As for the performance of the band, it was spectacular. Any Lee was dynamic as the lead vocalist. She even did a fantastic job playing on the grand piano and keyboard. She was backed up on vocal by the bassist, Emma Anzai. The dual guitarists Try McLawhorn and Tim McCord did an amazing job laying down the rhythm and power licks. Will Hunt provided the heart pounding rhythm.
Next is the song selection. They performed for a solid 21 song set in their 1 hour and 40-minute show. It included new and older songs. (See Setlist Below). They ended the main set with “Fight Like A Girl”. All of the women from Nova Twins and Spiritbox came out to sing with Amy and Emma. They ended the show with an encore of three songs including “Who Will You Follow”, “My Immortal” and “Wide Open Heart”.
So what can I say about the show, It was Outstanding and well worth seeing. I am happy that I finally got to see this amazing band. If you get a chance to see them, I very highly recommend it.
The night started with Nova Twins. A 3-piece band with Amy Love as lead singer and guitarist, Georgia South on bass and backing vocals. They were joined by drummer Jake Woodward. Their style seems to be a mix of rap and indie rock. They were good, but the best was when they joined Amy singing “Fight Like A Girl”.
Next up was Spiritbox. Spiritbox is a Canadian heavy metal band fronted by singer Courtney LaPlante. They were good and Courtney’s voice was powerful.
Evanescence Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.evanescence.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Evanescence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanescenceofficial
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/evanescencevideo
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evanescence
Record Label:
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Spiritbox Social Media sites:
Website: https://spiritbox.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spiritboxofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritboxmusic/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritboxOfficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spiritboxband
Record Label:
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Nova Twins Social Media sites:
Website: https://novatwins.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovaTwinsMusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NovaTwinsMusic/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/novatwinsmusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@novatwinsmusic
Record Label:
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Evanescence 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
Beautiful Lie
Wasted on You
Forever Without You
Bring Me to Life
Imaginary
Better Without You
About Us
Fight Like a Girl (with Courtney LaPlante) (and Nova Twins)
Who Will You Follow
My Immortal
Wide Open Heart
