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Turns the Kia Forum into a Sanctuary
July 30th, 2026 Review by Joey Clark
Every year the Kia Forum plays host to dozens of concerts from a wide array of artists, but it can be argued that after their July 18th performance, Evanescence is amongst the greatest to grace the legendary venue.
They gave us a glimpse last year at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas when the band closed out an epic night of music that also featured Papa Roach, Rise Against, and Social Distortion, and reaffirmed their status of being a formidable force in the rock scene, laying the foundation for what was to come in 2026.
Hot off the heels of their latest album release, “Sanctuary,” Evanescence took to the road for a 48-date world tour in support the record.
It would be a massive undertaking by the band from Little Rock, Arkansas, but with “Sanctuary” now belonging to the public, they had the upper hand. In no time at all, the buzz about the new record was plentiful. Not only was Evanescence’s core fanbase rampant with excitement, casual rock fans immediately jumped on board to witness this era of the band’s storied career.
On the night Evanescence was slated to return to the Kia Forum, it was easily apparent that their fanbase came to give support tenfold. Numerous fans showed up dressed to the nines, sporting their own twist on goth rock, some being heavily inspired by lead singer Amy Lee’s past iconic stage looks.
The house lights fell and the anticipation rose. Whispers resonated throughout the Kia Forum and cascaded back into the audience. A giant red display of the band’s iconic “E” logo carved through the darkness of the arena and only fed the intrigue shared by those in attendance. Soon the stage was flooded with thick, heavy fog, and the more fog that billowed out, the more screams of excitement filled the venue.
Shortly after, the band emerged from the fog and took complete control of the stage upon their arrival. Opening with the title track, “Sanctuary,” before launching into “Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough,” “Afterlife,” and the sweeping sensibility of “Rapture,” the band wasted little time introducing fans to the new era of Evanescence. The gamble paid off.
Rather than dampening the crowd’s enthusiasm, the new material was met with the same energy reserved for longtime staples, a testament to how seamlessly the songs fit alongside Evanescence’s long-established catalog.
The middle portion of the set showcased the true nature of “Sanctuary,” with “Self Destruct,” “Calm Down,” “Beautiful Lie,” and “Wasted on You” creating a well-crafted emotional journey that captivated audience members one by one.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during “Forever Without You,” as Skylar Grey joined Lee onstage for a hauntingly beautiful duet that put both singers’ complementary voices on full display. It was understated, elegant, and among the night’s most evocative performances.
Obviously, no Evanescence concert would be complete without revisiting the songs that first put them on the map worldwide. “Bring Me to Life” transformed the Forum into one massive choir, while “Imaginary” reminded fans just how timeless the band’s early songwriting remains. Instead of feeling like it was an obligation, these classics sounded revitalized, benefiting from years of musical growth and a band playing with complete confidence.
What followed perfectly encapsulated Evanescence’s current state and gave us a look at what’s on the horizon. “Better Without You” and “About Us” delivered the momentum before the collaborative performance of “Fight Like a Girl” became one of the night’s defining highlights.
Joined by Courtney LaPlante, Nova Twins, and K.Flay, the performance was explosive, and championed lead female vocals in heavy music. Rounding off the evening came the emotional weight of “My Immortal,” which provided an interesting contrast between the evening’s quietest and loudest moment, as thousands of fans sang every word before the band ultimately closed with “Wide Open Heart.”
To say Evanescence is experiencing a resurgence would be an understatement. It is more than evident that there is a renewed sense of love and appreciation for this incredible band from the rock community at large.
It goes without saying that the phenomenon is more than deserved based on the band’s ability to not only execute these songs in a studio environment but to perform them live with such passion and precision. I highly recommend catching Evanescence if they’re anywhere in a city near you. They will absolutely blow your mind.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Highway One Photography
TO FOLLOW
SID 260732 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
