Although my third visit to the venue, walking into Melbourne's PICA is still stunning to me. However, this time it felt like I was walking into something different.
I arrived at the back of the line (7 November), which had already stretched to the back of beyond by 6:30pm, waiting for doors at 7pm. Once those gates opened, people bolted to the front, eager to secure prime spots against the barrier to see Evanescence as clear as possible.
As soon as the lights dimmed and the first notes were played, the crowd sung hard and loud, as Amy Lee and band immediately launched into their new song 'Afterlife' as if it was an old favourite – you could see the joy on the band members' faces as fans sung along.
As soon as that song finished we were treated to 'What You Want' and then without a pause for breath, 'Going Under' rung out across the hall like it was made for the venue.
Partway through the set, the band took a breather as a piano was rolled out, Amy taking her seat behind it smiling to the crowd, and immediately making the large venue seem so much smaller and personal.
Image © Connor Mackinnon
Before moving onto the next song, Amy asked how many of us were heading to see Metallica the next night, telling us how excited she was to be on the same stage with them.
Shifting tones she told us: "But we need release, like this can give us. Only a full set with our people can give us the release that we need. So, we did our best to throw in some songs that we haven't done a million times. Not that we come here that often anyway. It's a very special treat in the first place."
Amy then begun playing a hauntingly beautiful, stripped-back version of 'Lost In Paradise', stunning the crowd into a momentary silence, before we all fell back into step, quietly, alongside her stunning vocals that made it feel like time had stopped.
Image © Connor Mackinnon
The band then remerged onstage, launching into 'Lithium', greeting us with a wall of sound and energy the crowd eagerly reflected back. They moved into 'Take Cover', a track blasted at us, and at the song's climax, Amy stunned us with an incredibly sustained note, reminding us we don't see such talent frequently and how special it is to share that moment.
Amy called the venue a sanctuary, a place where the negativity in the world couldn't reach us. It was a moment, I think for everybody, where the outside world faded and the only things that mattered were who and what was in this room singing, cheering and forming bonds we won't soon forget.
Her words felt truly sincere; not just a musical legend, but someone truly happy to share the space with us and perform. They then moved into 'Use My Voice', which truly carried the weight of her words.
The chorus hit hard, the crowd hit harder, turning the song into something bigger than itself, emotional and defiant, each of us feeding off each other until the roof felt like it would collapse.
Image © Connor Mackinnon
Before rushing into the track that everyone knew was going to be played, Amy stepped forward, smile beaming out to the crowd and speaking to us: "Remember times that we've come here over the years, and the beautiful, beautiful memories that we have shared. Thank you for growing up with me."
As she headed back to her mark onstage, she continued: "Remember old times, sing it together," delicately playing the opening notes to 'My Immortal', lighting the room up with emotions across the entire spectrum – I know my eyes weren't dry for a single moment during those scant few minutes.
Amy then called for us to light up the venue and like a flash going off, every light on every phone and and every lighter held in every pocket lit up the venue, from the barricade to the doors. It was breathtaking in every sense.
Taking barely a moment after the song ended, we were hit with the opening of 'Bring Me To Life', immediately sending us into a fervour, the crowd not missing a single note. Amy held another note that stunned us all over again, before encouraging us to give our everything to the song, the band doing the same.
Image © Connor Mackinnon
It was like a thunder clap exploding overhead, a triumph of everything we, and the band, had been through the last 22 years since 'Fallen' was released. Amy stepped forward one final time, smile as wide as can be, and lifted her arms. "We love you, Melbourne! Thank you! We'll see you soon. Be good to each other. Good night!"
The applause seemed incapable of stopping. The band gathered, bowed, and tossed picks and drumsticks into the crowd. The cheers lingered and echoed long after they left the stage.
Even after all this time, Evanescence still has the power to move people to tears, bring them to their feet, and leave them awestruck. This concert was more than a show. It will be something we don't forget. Something that will live in hearts and minds for years.
More photos from the concert.
