Evanescence Fills Red Rocks with New 'Sanctuary' Material

Evanescence has spent nearly 25 years operating in the shadow of a single hit, but the band played its Oct. 26 show at Red Rocks in Colorado with a focus on new material. The performance marked a stop on the "Sanctuary" tour, which promotes the group's sixth studio album.

The setlist consisted of 21 songs, with 12 tracks taken directly from "Sanctuary." The remaining material came from the band's earlier catalog, including the debut single "Bring Me to Life," which currently holds 2.2 billion streams on Spotify. The audience sang along to the chorus, a testament to the song's enduring popularity.

Frontwoman Amy Lee delivered the performance with a vocal range that the source describes as transcendent. She maintained a reserved stage presence for most of the night, letting the music carry the weight of the show. When she did address the crowd, she spoke about the resilience of life and the power of shared human experience.

Lee played piano during the track "Forever Without You." She told the audience that life often feels difficult, but that one must keep an open heart. "Tonight is the night that we are all here together, feeling the power of humanity," she said. "Remember what it means to be human and remember what is real."

The band's history includes a dispute with its original label, Wind Up Records. The label had pressured the group to add a rapper to align with the nu metal trends of the 2000s. After a standoff, the label allowed the band to proceed without a full-time MC but required a rap verse on "Bring Me to Life." Paul McCoy of 12 Stone provided the vocals, with Lee writing the lyrics for his section.

The current touring lineup includes guitarists Tim McCord and Troy McCord, bassist Emma Anzai, and drummer Will Hunt. Hunt's energetic playing style drew comparisons to Taylor Hawkins, the late Foo Fighters drummer. The band's sound combines heavy guitar work with chamber instrumentation, creating a cinematic quality that has defined its career.

The concert took place on a chilly fall night. The audience consisted of dedicated fans who had followed the group's trajectory from the 2000s to the present. The performance demonstrated that the band can still draw large crowds while balancing new songs with classic hits that remain staples of the pop rock landscape.