Evanescence - Co-op Live, Manchester 10.09.2026
It is 2003, I am playing out front and my mum calls me over to the window to check out this new song thats doing the rounds. 'Bring Me To Life' is playing as I watch this mesmerising video of one Amy Lee falling from a window and that was my entry into a 20+ year relationship with Evanesence. And within all of those years, tonight is my first opportunity to see them live.
At a sold out Co-op Arena, you can feel the buzz in the air of Manchester this evening. But before we get the main show we have two incredible supports. First up is K.Flay, an artist that we've been covering a for a few years now at 3 Songs. Tonight Kristine reveals what we already know here at the site, that headling arenas of this size are in her future. Her voice is quite simply beautiful and she has certainly won over the crowd. It won't be the last we see of her this evening.
Next we have Poppy, an artist that I feel I've heard so much about, but be it through ignorance or lack of time, haven't taken the opportunity to listen to until tonight. And after watching her hour long set, I feel non the wiser. Walking a thin line between Metal and Pop, everything feels rather disjointed. And that's not to say that I don't love both genres and that both can't successfully live side by side or fused together. But for whatever reason Poppy just doesn't connect with me tonight. That said it can't be stressed enough that her voice is incredible and her gutteral screams and growls give me goosebumps. But something just feels disconnected for me throughout. It is also not the last time we see her this evening.
Now for the reason we're all here. And what follows may well stand as one of the best concerts of 2026. Amy Lee is an absolute powerhouse. And holy christ the production for this tour is insane. No expense spared, I am immursed beginning to end.
The set list spans their varied career. And does lean a little more to their newer material from recent release 'Santuary'. But for me the highlights come 'Fallen' and 'The Open Door'. With the tracks from 'Fallen' in particular being the reason for my excitment this evening. Hearing 'My Immortal', 'Going Under' and of course 'Bring Me To Life' live for the first time is a bucketlist moment.
Amy Lee has not lost a step and whilst it is worth noting that in many ways the night feels presented as Amy and her band. That is in no way a disservice to the talent on display. It can't be ignored the revolving door of band members over the years. But the once constant is Amy, she is the vision, the voice and the reason that the band didn't die when Ben Moody parted ways. She's the reason that 20+ years later a 37 year old me, is belting his heart out to 'Bring Me To Life' along with 23,000 other adoring fans.
As mentioned above K.Flay returns to join Amy on 'Fight Like A Girl' and Poppy joins for 'End of You' and that is when I think I understand Poppy a little more. Seeing two powerhouse vocalists duel on stage is mesmerizing.
So I finish with this, tonight was a happy accident. I wasn't actually meant to be here. Things fell through with my reviewer and her ticket was going to go unclaimed and I couldn't let such a great opportunity go. I am so glad I didn't. This year has seen me return to photographing live music (tonight wasn't one of them) and attending gigs again. And this is one that I know I will be thinking about for years to come.
Review - Sean Friswell
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