Synthesis Live

"This is a total passion project for me", Amy Lee said. "There are so many layers in our music underneath the huge drums and guitars. I've always wanted to shine a light on some of the gorgeous David Campbell arrangements and programming elements in our songs, and that idea snowballed into completely re-doing them with full orchestra, not just strings, elaborate programming and experimentation."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/evanescence-announce-orchestral-new-lp-synthesis-fall-tour-195909/|title=Evanescence Announce Orchestral New LP 'Synthesis,' Fall Tour |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |date=August 14, 2017 |accessdate=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925154245/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/evanescence-announce-orchestral-new-lp-synthesis-fall-tour-195909/|archive-date=September 25, 2019}} She deemed Synthesis a fun experience that became "something bigger because you're really starting from scratch on the songs", and found the musical journey to be therapeutic.{{cite web|url=https://backstage.ravinia.org/posts/2018/7/3/bring-me-to-life-evanescence-finds-immortal-synthesis-with-s.html|title=Bring Me To Life: Evanescence Finds Immortal Synthesis With Symphony|publisher=Ravinia Festival|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=December 13, 2022}} Lee said she was excited about the new instrumental material on the album and performing with a full orchestra live for the first time in their career.

The Synthesis Live tour was announced by the band on August 14, 2017.{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Katie |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3668475/evanescence-tour/ |title=Evanescence announces 'Synthesis Live' tour, 2 Canadian dates |publisher=Global News |date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 15, 2017}} They would be accompanied on stage by a different 28-piece orchestra in every city, performing re-worked orchestral and electronica-arrangements of some of their back catalogue plus two new songs from Synthesis.{{cite web|url=https://hmv.com/blog/music/evanescence-synthesis-interview|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee talks hmv.com through the making of new album Synthesis|publisher=HMV|date=November 10, 2017|accessdate=December 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104014824/https://hmv.com/blog/music/evanescence-synthesis-interview|archive-date=November 4, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2017/11/13/evanescence-amy-lee-talks-orchestral-shows-i-think-this-is-just-a-really-cool-moment-in-time/|title=Evanescence Amy Lee Talks Orchestral Shows: 'I Think This Is Just A Really Cool Moment In Time'|work=Forbes|date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711135330/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2017/11/13/evanescence-amy-lee-talks-orchestral-shows-i-think-this-is-just-a-really-cool-moment-in-time/|archive-date=July 11, 2021|url-status=live}} For each city on the tour, a local orchestra was assembled by the show's conductor, Susie Seiter.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-ent-evanescence-synthesis-amy-lee-sands-bethlehem-20171020-story.html |title=Why Evanescence is playing with an orchestra on its tour |work=The Morning Call |last=Sculley |first=Alan |date=November 2, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-its-new-album-evanescence-covers-many-of-its-own-songs-with-a-distinctly-symphonic-twist-1510088507 |title=Alt-Metal Goes Orchestral |work=The Wall Street Journal |last=Fusilli |first=Jim |date=November 7, 2017}} With the purchase of tickets for the concerts, concertgoers received a free download of the album along with an instant download of the reworked version of "Bring Me to Life" included on Synthesis. For the final leg of the North American tour, violinist Lindsey Stirling, who featured on the Synthesis song "Hi-Lo", co-headlined with Evanescence, with both artists alternating on who headlined each night.{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-and-lindsey-stirling-announce-north-american-co-headline-amphitheater-tour/ |title=Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling Announce North American Co-Headline Amphitheater Tour |work=Blabbermouth |date=March 6, 2018 |accessdate=July 12, 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article215286700.html |title=Review: Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence team up for a night of contrasts - and a little self-help |work=The Charlotte Observer |last=Bolling |first=Cristina |date=July 21, 2018|url-access=subscription}}

The Synthesis Live concert tour received critical acclaim,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/amy-lee-evanescence-wagakki-band-orchestra-concert-premium-symphonic-night-japan-osaka-8549722/|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee to Join Wagakki Band Orchestra Show at Japan's Osaka-Jo Hall|magazine=Billboard|date=January 30, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-hi-lo-performance-clip-from-synthesis-live-dvd|title=Evanescence: 'Hi-Lo' Performance Clip from 'Synthesis Live' DVD|date=October 4, 2018|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100226/https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-hi-lo-performance-clip-from-synthesis-live-dvd|archive-date=December 15, 2022|url-status=live}} with several publications calling it an ambitious tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-ent-evanescence-synthesis-amy-lee-sands-bethlehem-20171020-story.html|first=Alan|last=Sculley|title=Why Evanescence is playing with an orchestra on its tour|work=The Morning Call|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202073756/https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-ent-evanescence-synthesis-amy-lee-sands-bethlehem-20171020-story.html|archive-date=December 2, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2017/11/13/evanescence-amy-lee-talks-orchestral-shows-i-think-this-is-just-a-really-cool-moment-in-time/|title=Evanescence Amy Lee Talks Orchestral Shows: 'I Think This Is Just A Really Cool Moment In Time'|work=Forbes|date=November 13, 2017|accessdate=December 16, 2022}} Billboard wrote that Evanescence "delivered a riveting performance" and Lee "delved into every nuance of her vocals" with her "haunting voice and eerie piano" evoking "the pulse of Evanescence's sound".{{cite magazine|title=Evanescence & Lindsey Stirling Embody Fire and Grace at NJ Show|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/evanescence-lindsey-stirling-review/|magazine=Billboard|date=August 13, 2018|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304110322/https://www.billboard.com/pro/evanescence-lindsey-stirling-review/|archive-date=March 4, 2022|url-status=live}} Gig Wise said the band "exceeded all expectations" and "the multiple layers in this performance make it become a whole different jaw-dropping experience".{{cite web|url=https://gigwise.com/reviews/3242511/live-review-evanescence-at-royal-festival-hall-london|title=Live Review: Evanescence at Royal Festival Hall, London, 30/03/18|first=Catherine|last=Verrechia|work=Gig Wise|date=April 2, 2018|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726102934/https://gigwise.com/reviews/3242511/live-review-evanescence-at-royal-festival-hall-london|archive-date=July 26, 2021|url-status=live}} "Each and every musician onstage is in perfect sync" and Lee emits "such incredible depth and sound", Renowned for Sound reviewed, regarding the concert "spectacular."{{cite web|url=https://renownedforsound.com/live-review-evanescence-31st-march-2018-royal-festival-hall-london-uk/|title=Live Review: Evanescence – 31st March 2018 – Royal Festival Hall, London, UK|work=Renowned for Sound|date=March 31, 2018|access-date=December 16, 2022}} Variety wrote, "Lee firmly re-establishes herself as one of rock's pre-eminent vocalists" while "she and the ensemble turn the familiar material into full-throttle, wide-screen epics, its themes of loss, guilt and self-doubt enlarged to tragedy on the Greek proscenium.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/reviews/concert-review-evanescence-hits-with-orchestra-greek-theatre-amy-lee-1202592240/|title=Concert Review: Evanescence Amp Up the Drama With 28-Piece Orchestra at L.A.'s Greek Theatre|work=Variety|date=October 17, 2017|first=Roy|last=Trakin|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209014600/https://variety.com/2017/music/reviews/concert-review-evanescence-hits-with-orchestra-greek-theatre-amy-lee-1202592240/|archive-date=December 9, 2021|url-status=live}} The Wall Street Journal commended Lee's "rich, measured yet emotional performance" and piano work, concluding, "the majesty of Ms. Lee accompanied by Mr. Campbell's arrangements was undeniable."{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-its-new-album-evanescence-covers-many-of-its-own-songs-with-a-distinctly-symphonic-twist-1510088507|title=Alt-Metal Goes Orchestral|work=The Wall Street Journal|first=Jim|last=Fusilli|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620113056/https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-its-new-album-evanescence-covers-many-of-its-own-songs-with-a-distinctly-symphonic-twist-1510088507|archive-date=June 20, 2021|url-status=live}}

On August 8, 2018, Eagle Rock Entertainment announced Synthesis Live on CD with DVD or Blu-ray and digital download to be released on October 12, 2018. The concert film was shot during their fall 2017 tour at Foxwoods Resort Casino Grand Theater in Connecticut and directed by P. R. Brown and mixed by Damian Taylor. The set contained the entire concert with a live orchestra and included the music video for "Hi-Lo".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/evanescence-plot-concert-film-synthesis-live-with-full-orchestra-708008/ |title=Evanescence Plot Concert Film 'Synthesis Live' With Full Orchestra |magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=August 8, 2018}}

Orchestra opening

1. "La Strada" (by Nino Rota)
2. "La Chasse" (by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
3. "Pavane" (by Gabriel Fauré)
4. "Moonlight Sonata" (by Ludwig van Beethoven)
5. "Lacrimosa" (by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
6. "Sally's Song" (by Danny Elfman)

Evanescence with orchestra

1. "Overture"
2. "Never Go Back"
3. "Lacrymosa"
4. "End of the Dream"
5. "My Heart Is Broken"
6. "Lithium"
7. "Bring Me to Life"
8. "Unraveling"
9. "Imaginary"
10. "Secret Door"
11. "Across the Universe" (The Beatles cover, played on second North American leg)
12. "Hi-Lo" (with Lindsey Stirling on second North American leg)
13. "Lost in Paradise"
14. "Your Star"
15. "My Immortal"
16. "The In-Between"
17. "Imperfection"

Encore

18. "Speak to Me"
19. "Good Enough"
20. "Swimming Home" / "Weight of the World"

On the first night of the tour, at the Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas, October 14, "Speak to Me" was not performed. Starting November 30, "Weight of the World" was performed instead of "Swimming Home". "Palladio / No More Tears / Alive", a mashup of Ozzy Osbourne and Sia, was performed by both Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling starting July 7, 2018.

The concert in Brisbane was originally scheduled for February 11, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, but the promoter changed the date to February 10 and the venue to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.{{cite web|url=https://heavymag.com.au/evanescence-announce-australian-tour-synthesis-live/|title=Evanescence Announce Australian Tour: Synthesis Live|website=Heavy Magazine|date=October 4, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204225655/https://heavymag.com.au/evanescence-announce-australian-tour-synthesis-live/|archive-date=December 4, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2018/01/22/evanescence-announce-venue-date-change-for-brisbane-show-next-month/|title=Evanescence announce venue/date change for Brisbane show next month|website=Wall of Sound|location=Australia|date=January 22, 2018|accessdate=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126091104/https://wallofsoundau.com/2018/01/22/evanescence-announce-venue-date-change-for-brisbane-show-next-month/|archive-date=January 26, 2022}}

Evanescence

• Amy Lee – vocals, piano
• Will Hunt – drums, electronic percussion
• Troy McLawhorn – guitar
• Tim McCord – guitar
• Jen Majura – guitar, theremin, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Will Hunt – electronics, percussion
• Dave Eggar – cello
• Susie Seiter – conductor

{{reflist}}

{{Evanescence}}

Category:2017 concert tours

Category:2018 concert tours

Category:Concert tours of Australia

Category:Concert tours of Canada

Category:Concert tours of France

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Category:Concert tours of the United Kingdom

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Category:Evanescence concert tours