Evanescence Live at the Greek Theater, Los Angeles

On October 15, patrons of the Greek Theater were treated to an evening with goth rock band Evanescence (a video stream of the performance can be found here). It was a night of expected booming vocals by Amy Lee and swooshing electro beats that overlay traditional rock sounds, only this time there was a full symphony orchestra.

Evanescence will release their new album Synthesis on November 10. The LP is a compilation of fan favorite songs set to a live orchestra and will include two new songs. It may seem counter intuitive for a band with such a specific sound to peel back their songs to fit in a classical music catalog, but their performance at The Greek made it clear this approach was right.

Lee stood in a dramatic dark green dress at the mic, her long black tresses flowing down her back. She fit right in with the orchestra. It made sense that a soprano like her would eventually find her way to be the star in a sea of instruments. However, the orchestral arrangement did not dilute Evanescence’s rock band swagger. Drummer Will Hunt played with the same fervor and energy essential to a genuine rock ‘n’ roll performance. Much of the crowd remained seated and could rarely be heard singing along.

The Greek Theater, though technically not a small venue, provided an intimate setting for band and audience. When Lee spoke, it wasn’t proclamations and broad statements, it was direct and casual. Early in the night she stepped away from the mic for a moment: “Had to check my list!” It was, to be fair, only the second show of the tour.

The orchestra, conducted by Susie Seiter, allowed Evanescence to exhibit their strengths as a band. The way in which the symphony made the songs sound big matched their lyrical emotion and Lee’s vocal power. It exhibited the genuine dark nature of Evanescence songs, making it feel as if the music was wrapped around you (and somehow in a comforting way).

Many “I love you Amy!”s were shouted, to which you could see Lee smile. The kinship of the audience was made most clear before the performance of “Hi-Lo,” a new song. Just before Lee kicked in with the lyrics, a fan shouted, “I love it already!.” Chuckles rippled abound. The affection was a two-way street. Lee expressed many thank yous and said that the show was a dream come true: “I don’t quite have words for how to say thank you to you.”

Evanescence saved their other new song, “Imperfection,” to set up the encore. Lee later re-entered the stage to finish with “Speak to Me, “Good Enough” and “Swimming Home.” One may have expected a roaring final few songs, but the night’s end was mellow. For “Good Enough,” Lee pinged at the piano accompanied only by her voice.  The final song of the night was met by a standing ovation, no less  (and not the night’s first). In traditional form, Lee and crew took a bow, waved and exited.

1. Overture
2. Never Go Back
3. End of the Dream
4. My Heart is Broken
5. Lithium
6. Bring Me to Life
7. Unraveling
8. Interlude
9. Imaginary
10. Secret Door
11. Hi-Lo
12. Lost in Paradise
13. Your Star
14. My Immortal
15. The In-Between
16. Imperfection
17. Speak to Me
18. Good Enough
19. Swimming Home

File Photo: Mauricio Alvarado