American metal band Evanescence prove they’re still at the top of their game, over 20 years on from debut album
Evanescence’s lead singer Amy Lee commanded the stage during the show (photo from Leeds gig on September 8, 2026)(Image: Instagram: Seanen Middleton (@seanenmiddleton))
Many bands come and go, but a rare few carve out a legacy and define a generation. At their sold-out Manchester show, Evanescence show why they fall into the second category.
At Co-op Live, they played their first show in the city since 2022 and for a band that’s now released music across three decades, the room still swells with people of all ages, some taking in the action for the first time.
The show delivered from the start with support from K.Flay and Poppy setting the tone and warming the crowd up. As the time for Evanescence drew closer, the excitement could be felt throughout the room with not a single seat spare.
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As soon as lead singer, Amy Lee appeared on stage the crowd erupted and the noise was overwhelming. For many, Evanescence was ‘the band that started it all’ and just like acts of their size, opened the door to a whole new world of music.
Sanctuary, a trademark Evanescence track from their new album of the same name, blasted from the speakers, shaking the room into action. The energy now flowed from the stage across the crowd like a wave.
With the atmosphere finely set, the five-piece charged into their set with songs from their new album, before treating the adoring crowd to classic, Going Under. The crowd sang back every word – the power and enduring impact of the band on show for all to see. The gig had truly started now and everywhere you looked people beamed with smiles and happy faces.
An instant cheer arises as fans recognised the introduction of Lithium. With Lee now at the piano, lights from phones lit up the room like stars. In the pockets of quiet, you could hear a pin drop. It was truly a spectacular moment.
A rush of elation flowed throughout the room when the haunting notes of Bring Me To Life flickered from the stage. Widely recognised as one of the defining songs of the alternative metal genre, witnessing the track live was breath-taking.
Lee’s vocals were tremendous, broody and just like what you hear on the track. The intimate beginning burned slowly before making way for the explosion of sound that characterises the anthem.
Among the standing section, members of the crowd clad in band t-shirts climbed above shoulders, whilst closer to the front small circles of people moshing started to take shape.
The seated section known for the way it wraps around the Co-op also sprang to life. The show demonstrated Evanescence are up there with the best.
Their high-quality live sets, emphasised by their performance of Bring Me To Life being the main contributing factor. With that said, this wasn’t a night built around nostalgia and looking back on the ‘good old days’.
While Evanescence boasts a back catalogue of bangers, their set was jam-packed with songs from their new album, showing just how much they believe in the evolution of the band.
As they continue to grow, so do their fans. Groups of all ages, including parents and kids mixed spaces with groups of 20 somethings that were all in attendance for the here and now. At this gig, fans had bought a ticket for a band that still believes their best music is still to come.
Evanescence first glowed in the 1990s but continue to shine in the 2020s. The set was fresh, yet distinctly Evanescence.
A touching moment came before Light You when Lee took the stage to reveal the story behind the song. Lee emphasised to the crowd “through the door of a bad situation it gets infinitely better on the other side.”
What lay on the other side was a string of interludes with support acts K.Flay and Poppy. Each took turns in appearing on stage to perform Fight Like A Girl and End Of You respectively. Each song, a timely and welcomed addition, adding to the magic of the night.
My Immortal followed by Wide Open Heart drew the set to a close, with a curtain drop revealing the rest of the band, punctuating the end of a magnificent set. The night finished with Lee and the band taking in the adulation from the thousands that packed into the Co-op Live.
Evanescence came, saw and conquered. Taking over the Co-op is no easy task and like the experienced pros they are, the five-piece made it look easy whilst still making it special.
