Evanescence, Nova Twins & Spiritbox

This review follows the Chicago concert headlined by Evanescence, with opening sets from Nova Twins and Spiritbox. It is a review of the energy, the stagecraft, and the way these artists made the crowd feel alive.

Nova Twins

This melanated British rock duo, Amy Love & Georgia South, took the stage promptly at 7pm. Despite a mishap with Amy Love’s guitar—something I wouldn’t have noticed had it not been mentioned—I could not have asked for a better opener. There is something about watching two people so comfortable with each other on stage take control and breathe life into a settling crowd.

If the crowd wasn’t aware of the Nova Twins before, witnessing this concert certainly put them on their radar. The vocals on Amy Love and the shredding of the bass from Georgia South brought you into their world and left you wanting more. There is a way that Georgia South is able to work the bass that puts you in awe. They knew what to do, when to do it, and just how to get the crowd up on their feet.

If you are ever able to experience them perform live, you should not miss it. Their music, their work, their energy…it’s well worth the money spent. What a fascinating performance that left no crumbs.

Spiritbox

This Canadian heavy metal band co-founded by lead vocalist [Courtney LaPlante](https://www.spiritboxband.com) and drummer [Mike Stringer](https://www.spiritboxband.com) amplified the pumped energy in the amphitheater. From the visuals that took place on the screens scattered about, to the screams to the high heavens or depths of hell—your choice—they captivated the audience.

As people leapt to their feet to headbang, you could see, feel, and hear the energy grow stronger and stronger in the venue. We must talk about their vocalist—Courtney LaPlante—for a moment. There is a skill required to scream as she does and my god, does she surpass it. Despite her speaking voice sounding much different than her scream—a fact noted by a concert goer sat beside me—the ease of which she switched between the two deserve to be studied. She can speak. She can sing. She can SCREAM. And honestly? What a fucking treat it all was.

There were people who had never heard of Spiritbox before flying out of their seats, dancing along and by the end of their performances you could tell they left everything and more on the stage. If heavy metal is your thing, they are absolutely not ones to miss. If heavy metal ISN’T your thing, they are absolutely not one to miss. The experience is worth witnessing live, at least once in your life.

Evanescence

The one, the only, the HEADLINERS…Evanescence.

This is the second time seeing Evanescence live—first in a Michigan venue with openers Halestorm and In This Moment.

By now, the only way you haven’t heard of Evanescence is if you’re super young or live under a rock. Of course, their most well-known song is Bring Me to Life—a song that Amy Lee BODIES the entirety of, for those curious. They start with the title song of their latest album—Sanctuary (out on all platforms). What a start to an amazing show this was.

Amy Lee’s vocals—and presence—has only gotten better with time. There is a cheeky, commanding presence she brings that shows she’s not here to play around but she is here to have fun. And what fun was had.

People attending the concert on 7/8 were offered a delightful treat of hearing a song they had not ever played live before in honor of the 20th anniversary of their second album—The Open Door. To watch as everyone lowered their phones and sway while listening to Amy at the piano, singing a song that has never been heard live…It is an experience that is hard to describe. Hearing Forever Without You—a personal favorite—and the story behind it makes the experience come to a head. Then, of course, My Immortal. A song that Amy Lee shares that she wants to hear people sing with her…it summoned goosebumps and raised hairs in the best way.

Evanescence is exactly the band they know they are. There was fire, there was tears, there was headbanging, and most of all…There was love and a fire lit under the ass of everyone who attended.

CAN YOU FIGHT LIKE A GIRL? (THEY DO!)

If you’ve ever been even a little curious about seeing any of these performers live, let me be the one to shout it from the rooftops “GO! WHILE YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE!”

all photos taken by naimah g

There is a moment when the Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante and the Nova Twins return to the stage and they sing the song Fight Like A Girl together. It is a powerful moment, one that makes you feel empowered if you understand what they’re trying to say.

This entire concert, all these bands had something to say and whether they screamed or sung it left the crowd amped, alive, and ready to survive.

If you’re interested in attending before the tour is over, it is highly recommended that you do. Otherwise, you might miss a very ethereal, fired-up, and worth every cent experience.

Stream Sanctuary by Evanescence

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