Evanescence live in Manchester review : Era-defining rockers with a voice louder than ever

There are few voices in rock quite like Amy Lee’s. More than two decades after Evanescence first soundtracked a generation, her unmistakable vocals remain every bit as powerful and haunting as they did back in 2003.

During their sold-out show at Manchester’s Co-op Live the band delivered a set that looks firmly towards the future whilst respect their legacy and giving it room to breathe. 

Opening with new song ‘Sanctuary’, Evanescence immediately discovered just how well their recent record is resonating with fans as an arena sized chorus sung the words back to them in perfect detail. But as you’d expect, it’s the classics that really ignite the room. Fan favourites ‘Going Under’ and ‘Bring Me To Life’ send the room into a tailspin, while Amy Lee proves exactly why her voice has remained one of alternative music’s most recognisable for two decades. 

The band were also joined on stage by two special guests throughout the night, both support acts for the evening. The first being K.flay for collaboration ‘Fight Like A Girl’ and the second being Poppy to sing with Amy on their song ‘End of You’ which also features Spiritbox vocalist Courtney LaPlante, although she wasn’t in attendance. 

There’s a striking moment of emotion and vulnerability from fans when, armed with a grand piano, Lithium strips everything back and allows Lee’s voice to take centre stage. The visual spectacle only grows as the set progresses with 20ft pyro transforming Co-op Live into a perfect hellscape before closing the show on ‘Wide Open Heart’.

Whilst Evanescence could have easily coasted through a tour on nostalgia alone, this performance made it clear that they have no intention of becoming a legacy act. Their new music sits comfortably alongside the songs that made them, with new and old fans united through a shared love of one of rock’s hardest working bands. Two decades on, the voice that defined a generation echoes louder than ever.