Dallasโ Southside Ballroom was the host of the debut show for Evanescence, 2016. The tour comes just before the Christmas release of a complete vinyl box set for the band, featuring music written before the bandโs rise to fame. Going in, I expected to love the show. When I choose an artist to love, I give my all- and I have a strong love relationship with Amy Leeโs work. From the hard hitting metal to the heart wrenching ballads and everything in between, Evanescence created a genre in classic goth metal that I didnโt know could exist. I was hooked.
Over the years Amy and I have had some journeys together. Of course, never knowing her personally but relating to every lyric, and making my own assessments of relation to Amyโs work. There is power in her music I canโt put into words or make any kind of sense of in explanation. Itโs just emotion. And I can relate to every word. Pain, grief, love, agony, loss, relief, joy and power live beneath the lyrics and melodies of each and every song. So of course I was going to love the show.
As an artist there is maybe no one I have ever wanted to photograph more. Her sense of style and physical appearance is just as fascinating as her music. She inspires me so much, that roughly a year ago my team and I put together an entire Amy-themed photoshoot with a now dear friend who looks more than a little significantly like her. Like any good fan would, Iโve done my research to know a bit about Amyโs past and feel a sense of connection in her work.
The moment I heard of the tour announcement, my email flew out to my editor to request this show. Here tonight I found myself not only as a fan, but a photographer and critic at perhaps one of the biggest moments of my life. Yes, thatโs the level of respect we are talking here. Iโd seen Evanescence live before and knew of Amyโs incredible vocal and theatrical skills. I was sincerely looking forward to watching and hearing the new band members. When the ะพะณะฝะธ dimmed for the show to begin, my heart may have actually leapt out of my chest. The band ran onto the stage ready to go and looking incredible. The hard and powerful chords began for โEverybodyโs Foolโ and Amy ran onto the stage. She hadnโt aged a day. Since Iโd last seen her perform we had all watched as she got married, began a family and of course, heaven forbid- chopped all her hair off (adorably, I might add). The woman performing on stage in front of me looked EXACTLY as she had in 2007.
Shifting into โWhat You Wantโ, the band and Amy kept in perfect sync and style. Itโs obvious Amy loves performing and is happy to be back on tour. She beamed. Literally. Her classic style knee length white and black dress, head banging hair and goth boots are quite possibly the most perfect combination with her attitude I can think of. Quickly โGoing Underโ begins and I see Amy transform into the character within. Her performance isnโt just singing- she is feeling every word.
For 20 songs, a beautiful scene of select performances from the complete catalog disect themselves on stage. The entire score is complete perfection in every tone, note and siren song from Amyโs voice. Fan favorites such as โLithiumโ, โMy Immortalโ, โCall Me When Your Soberโ and โBring Me to Lifeโ have made the cut, as well as a cover of Michael Jackson’s โDirty Dianaโ. What may be more obscure cuts such as โEven in Deathโ, โMy Heart is Brokenโ, โThe Changeโ, โTake Coverโ and โDisappearโ also take the stage. โImaginaryโ, โBreathe No Moreโ, โWeight of the Worldโ, โYour Starโ and โWhisperโ also make the grade. The show is empowering and completely wonderful. Fans will delight and not leave with disappointment.
I have to admit, I would have loved to have heard more known songs such as โSnow White Queenโ or โMissingโ in lieu of some of the earlier material. Dallas was not disappointed. Evanescence, thank you for the work. I canโt wait to see you again soon.
BONUS: Check out our interview with Amy Lee from earlier this month ะทะดะตัั.
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