Evanescence / Utilita Arena / Birmingham

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 23 years since the release of Evanescence’s iconic debut “Fallen” which has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and spawned three hit singles in Going Under, My Immortal and perhaps the best known Bring Me to Life. And now with their sixth album “Sanctuary” just out to rave reviews, they’ve hit the road on a massive world tour to promote the album and we’re here at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena to check it out.

First up in support we enjoy a set from K.Flay. Kristine Meredith Flaherty is an American singer, songwriter, musician and rapper. She released her debut album “Life as a Dog” in 2014 followed by “Every Where Is Some Where” (2017), “Solutions” (2019), “Inside Voices / Outside Voices” (2022), and her most recent “Mono” in 2023. She’s worked with the likes of Tom Morello, Travis Barker and Pierce the Veil.

I’d not heard of K.Flay before and had no idea what to expect, but that soon changed when she hit the stage. K.Flay is a whirlwind live, dancing and running around the large stage, her light green shirt open and waving in the breeze as she jumps, twirls and races round the set. Her music is a skilfully crafted blend of indie rock and catchy hip-hop vocals. What was nice though, was there’s a real variety in her sound. In Raw Raw from 2023’s “Mono” there’s some downright dirty deep guitar riffs and a pop sensibility about the vocals, but the juxtaposition works so so well.

Blood in the Cut from 2017’s “Every Where Is Some Where” is a cracker of a track, and perhaps the highlight of the set, with a catchy stompin’ beat and hand claps which its catchy and dark vibe, which explodes in the breakdowns with some delicious bluesy riffs.

The ends with her latest single, released this year Ants. The guitars have a Numan-like industrial feel to them adding a punch and edge to the track. K.Flay’s vocals are great throughout.

I had no idea what to expect, but boy was I converted. Her genre-defying sound is catchy and complex at times Limp Bizkit like, taking in some elements of more extreme Doom Trap, as well as a pop sensibility and boundless energy.

I can see K/Flay headlining venues like this in her own right in the not too distant future.

Setlist

Scratch

Raw Raw

Tomboys Don't Cry

Blood in the Cut

Rabbit Hole

Blood Cells

High Enough

Ants

Following the recent release of their stunning new album “Sanctury” Evanescence are once again riding a wave of popularity and the Utilita is packed tonight, fans looking forward to hearing all their old favourites but also excited to hearing the new material live for the first time.

The stage set has a large slope rising backwards towards the drums, which turns out to be fully lit, like LED screens. The lights dim as the intro bursts into life on the ginorous screen at the back of the stage. Thich white smoke billows out and forms a thick later over the ramp as the band step out and take their places. The room erupts when Amy Lee finally steps out and joins them. Standing on the ramp, she appears to almost float in the smoke as the first notes of the title track of their new album Sanctuary ring out. It’s almost operatic in it’s grandeur and the perfect show opener, as it builds and intensifies. Amy Lee’s first vocals are greeted by cheers from around the arena. Her tone, clarity and intensity are as majestic and grand as ever, and you can feel the atmosphere change the moment she sings.

The performance is grand in every way. The large screen delivering visuals to compliment each track, the lighting rig huge, delivering some impressive displays. Up in the rig appear to be lots of looping cables stretching out in waves towards the crowd, but it soon becomes apparent these are light trails. On one of the visuals, a bird flies through a tunnel draped with wires and these light up and give the whole presentation a three dimensional feel. With fire and smoke the whole stage comes alive around the artists.

The opener is followed by Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough also from the latest album, which hits hard with some deep dark bass tones. Its powerful and has a rawness to it which explodes in the chorus sections. What of curse is always so amazing with Evanescence, is that Amy’s vocals outperform any soaring guitars in these sections, demonstrating the power of her skills. More new tracks next, with the more mellow tones of Afterlife, and the dark beauty of Rapture which has a cinematic feel to it as it sweeps across the crowd.

Having played four songs from the new album, its time to go back to a fan favourite and classic in Going Under from their debut “Fallen”. Those first notes and the words “Now I will tell you what I’ve done for you…. 15,00 tears I’ve cried” bring screams and cheers from the crowd. It’s just as powerful and emotive now as it’s ever been. The delivery is perfect, building and teasing, and exploding into life. Amy’s vocals soar and rise above the mix and wash across us all.

The cinematic introduction to Fight Like a Girl is instantly recognisable, a single (with K.Flay) from the John Wick universe film ‘Ballerina’ and of course, K.Flay returns to the set to duet with Amy Lee. Their vocals work seamlessly as they deliver this one with K.Flay delivering some great rap lines which compliment the mix perfectly.

A real highlight is Forever Without You a great ballad, and perhaps their best since the release of My Immortal. The arena is silence as they listen intently. It’s followed by the classic Bring Me to Life which soars majestically and fills the arena with emotion.

Then, perhaps the moment everyone had been waiting for, it happened in Leeds so surely…. The words “I toil in silence, don’t know where my mind is” signal the start of End of You a single released in 2025 by Amy Lee, Courtney LaPlante from Spiritbox and Poppy which is getting it’s live debut on this tour. The crowd goes wild as Poppy steps out to join Amy Lee to deliver this one. Unfortunately no Courtney, but all three are re-united at the London show a few days later.

As the set draws to a close, the classic 1993 hit My Immortal rings out. Performed mainly by Amy Lee at the piano, it is a vocal performance par excellance, as the whole audience have their phones our, a sea of lit up screens as they all try to capture the moment. It’s stunning, both visually and sonically.

As Evanescence bid farewell to Birmingham, we sign out with Wide Open Heart, the closing track from their latest album. Although new, it is classic Evanescence through and through, a powerful anthem that sweeps and rises majestically. It’s rousing and powerful and yet has that delicate sensitivity to it. It’s a lighters (in the old world) not phones in the air, swaying to the rhythm.

I think there’s only one word to describe this experience – majestic. The musicianship, those vocals, the lighting and stage design, and video work are all top notch and create something captivating on so many levels.

An experience that no one in attendance will ever forget.

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