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Live at North Island Credit Union Amp
July 24th, 2026 Review by Greg Vitalich
Female-fronted rock was on full display as Evanescence brought one of the year’s most exciting tour packages to Chula Vista. From the hard rock hip hop vibe of Nova Twins to the modern metal of Spiritbox, and finally the gothic and elegant grandeur of headliner Evanescence, each band offered its own unique style while sharing one common thread—an incredible frontwoman who completely owned the stage.
Amy Love, Courtney LaPlante, and Amy Lee each delivered confidence, charisma, and remarkable vocal performances, making the evening feel like both a celebration of modern rock and a showcase of three of its most dynamic female performers.
On a beautiful summer night at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater in Chula Vista, the first act was the young British rock duo Nova Twins, who proved they were far more than just an opening act—they kicked off the night with the kind of explosive performance that immediately energized the crowd.
From the moment lead singer and guitarist Amy Love and bassist/vocalist Georgia South walked on stage, their confidence and chemistry were on full display. Nova Twins has a blend of alternative rock, punk, hip hop, grime, and electronic influences created a sound that was both unique and incredibly heavy without relying on traditional formulas. Love and South had great stage presence, rarely standing still, constantly moving from one side of the stage to the other while encouraging the audience to clap, jump, and sing along. The entertaining performance certainly produced many new fans.
Spiritbox delivered one of the most powerful opening performances I’ve seen in years, proving exactly why they’ve become one of modern metal’s fastest-rising band. The Canadian quartet put on an amazing performance that was beautiful, atmospheric, and absolutely devastating hardcore.
Singer Courtney LaPlante was mesmerizing. One minute she sang haunting crystal-clear melodies and the next she unleashed thunderous death metal screams that shook the entire amphitheater.
The highlight of the set was launching into “Tsunami Sea” while thousands of tiny white “snowflakes” whirled out from machines, transforming the stage into a surreal snow globe. The stunning visual effect combined with LaPlante’s soaring vocals was simply breathtaking.
More than 20 years after redefining modern hard rock with a debut album selling over 17 million copies worldwide, Evanescence remains one of rock’s most captivating live acts. Touring in support of their latest album, “Sanctuary,” the band delivered a two-hour performance that blended cinematic grandeur, crushing guitars, emotional vulnerability, and flawless musicianship. Led by the incomparable Amy Lee, Evanescence transformed the venue into a cathedral of light, sound, and emotion.
The current lineup was incredible. Amy Lee was, of course, the heart and soul of the band, but every member brought something special. Guitarists Tim McCord and Troy McLawhorn crushed it with massive walls of sound, an animated Emma Anzai’s bass rumbled through with low-end power, and Will Hunt’s lanky arms bashed the drums in an animated style all night.
Amy was phenomenal. Her distinctive voice was powerful from the start, balancing delicate whispers and booming operatic highs that delivered both clarity and power. Whether she was running around the stage on heavy songs or sitting behind her grand piano, Amy’s balanced singing and stage performance mesmerized the audience all night.
The set list leaned heavily on tracks from the new album Sanctuary. The title track was a great opener, dramatically setting the mood with a slow dreamy intro building to a crescendo of booming guitar riffs and Lee raging.
I believe 11 other tracks off the new album were in the set. My favorite tune off the new album was the second song of the night, the heavy ass kicker “Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough” – hard driving beat, solid riff, catchy melody.
Another memorable moment was Lee’s powerful words of encouragement prior to the new song “Forever Without You.” Sitting behind the piano, Lee said, “If anything I say in this song … resonates with you … or if you are there now, let me just say this … as terrifying and impossible as it may seem to take that first step out the door of a bad situation, I promise it is infinitely better on the other side.” The crowd clearly appreciated Lee’s honest and heartfelt words of encouragement and empowerment.
Of course, all the big hits were included for long time fans; “Going Under”, “Call Me When You’re Sober”, “Bring Me to Life”, with encores “My Immortal” along with “Who Will You Follow” and “Wide Open Heart”.
Another fun highlight was when Amy invited Courtney from Spiritbox and Amy and Georgia from Nova Twins came back on stage to join her on the girl power track “Fight Like a Girl”. What a delight to see all female lead singers on stage singing in unison, smiling and having so much fun with the performance.
The night had it all; a mix of three incredible female fronted rock acts, one up and coming, one established and gaining popularity, and the headliner proving why they remain one of the top hard rock acts this century. Evanescence successfully balanced beloved classics with ambitious new material to prove they aren’t relying just on nostalgic hits. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the 2026 Sanctuary Tour stands as one of the year’s most unforgettable live rock experiences.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Greg Vitalich Photography
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