OLD FAVORITES, NEW CHAPTER: EVANESCENCE BRING THEIR NEW ERA TO THE KIA FORUM
Some concerts are just another stop on a tour. Others remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. Evanescence's July 18 stop at the Kia Forum was undoubtedly the latter.
Nova Twins opened the night with a blistering set that fused punk, rock, and thunderous bass-driven grooves. Their chemistry was undeniable, and they wasted no time getting the crowd on its feet, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening.
Spiritbox followed with a performance that was every bit as crushing as it was mesmerizing. Courtney LaPlante moved effortlessly between haunting melodies and bone-rattling screams, reminding everyone why Spiritbox has become one of the most exciting bands in modern heavy music. By the end of their set, the Forum was fully energized and ready for the night's headliners.
Then something hit me.
Every band on this bill was fronted by a woman.
As someone who grew up loving rock and metal, that may have been one of the most meaningful parts of the night. Not long ago, seeing a single female-fronted band on a major tour felt uncommon. Watching three completely different bands—each with their own identity, sound, and devoted following—share the same stage felt like a full-circle moment. None of them were there to fill a quota. They earned their place, and every performance proved exactly why.
The moment Evanescence took the stage, the Kia Forum seemed to travel back in time. Amy Lee walked onstage, and for a moment it felt like the early 2000s all over again. The crowd sang every word as if these songs had never left their playlists.
Some voices are instantly recognizable, and Amy Lee's remains one of the most iconic in rock. Powerful, emotional, and seemingly untouched by time, she commanded the room from the first note to the last. Behind her, the rest of Evanescence delivered an equally commanding performance, with every member contributing to a show that felt polished, powerful, and theatrical. Dramatic lighting, towering visuals, and swirling smoke elevated each song, creating an atmosphere that perfectly matched the band's signature sound.
If you grew up in the early 2000s, Evanescence wasn't just another rock band—they were the soundtrack to an entire generation. Their music lived on burned CDs, iPods, MySpace profiles, and bedroom speakers turned all the way up after a bad day. Whether it was "Bring Me to Life," "Going Under," "My Immortal," or "Call Me When You're Sober," nearly everyone inside the Forum had a memory tied to one of those songs.
While the night celebrated the music that made Evanescence a household name, it also looked toward the future. Their latest album, Sanctuary, proves the band isn't simply relying on nostalgia. It captures the dark emotion and cinematic atmosphere fans have always loved while continuing to push their sound forward, showing there's still plenty left to say after more than two decades.
Three incredible female-fronted bands. Three completely different styles. Three unforgettable performances. As a woman who grew up in this scene, seeing a lineup like this fill an arena was both inspiring and long overdue. It was a reminder that women have always belonged in rock and metal—and today, they're helping shape its future.
Evanescence didn't just deliver another great concert. They reminded everyone why their music has endured for so many years. Amy Lee's unmistakable voice still ranks among rock's very best, the band remains a powerhouse onstage, and the songs that once became the soundtrack to so many lives still carry the same emotional weight they always have.
Some bands make you remember your past.
Evanescence somehow makes it feel like those songs never left.
