Synthesis Live

Synthesis Live was a concert tour by American rock band Evanescence, in support of their fourth studio album, the orchestral and electronica-based Synthesis (2017). This was the first tour where the band performed with an orchestra on stage. For each city on the tour, a local orchestra was assembled by conductor Susie Seiter. Synthesis Live included 60 concerts in cities across North America in 2017 and 2018, four concerts in Oceania and 18 concerts in Europe in 2018. The tour received critical acclaim.

Synthesis Live

Tour by Evanescence
Associated album	Synthesis
Start date	October 14, 2017 (2017-10-14)
End date	September 8, 2018 (2018-09-08)
Legs	4
No. of shows	60 in North America 18 in Europe 4 in Oceania 82 total
Evanescence concert chronology
Evanescence Tour (2011–2012) Synthesis Live (2017–2018) Evanescence and Halestorm (2021)

Background

"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."^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[1]

The Synthesis Live tour was announced by the band on August 14, 2017.^[3] 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.^[4][5] For each city on the tour, a local orchestra was assembled by the show's conductor, Susie Seiter.^[6][7] 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.^[1] 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.^[8][9]

Critical reception

The Synthesis Live concert tour received critical acclaim,^[10][11] with several publications calling it an ambitious tour.^[12][13][14] 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".^[15] Gig Wise said the band "exceeded all expectations" and "the multiple layers in this performance make it become a whole different jaw-dropping experience".^[16] "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."^[17] 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.^[18] 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."^[12]

Live album

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".^[19]

Setlist

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.^[20] 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.

Tour dates

Date	City	Country	Venue
North America^[21]^[22]
October 14, 2017	Las Vegas	United States	Pearl Concert Theater
October 15, 2017	Los Angeles		Greek Theatre
October 17, 2017	Phoenix		Comerica Theatre
October 20, 2017	Houston		Revention Music Center
October 22, 2017	Irving		Toyota Music Factory
October 23, 2017	New Orleans		Mahalia Jackson Theater
October 25, 2017	Nashville		Ryman Auditorium
October 27, 2017	Atlanta		Delta Classic Chastain Park Amphitheater
October 28, 2017	Charlotte		Ovens Auditorium
October 30, 2017	Pittsburgh		Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts
October 31, 2017	Oxon Hill		The Theater at MGM National Harbor
November 2, 2017	Upper Darby		Tower Theater
November 3, 2017	Mashantucket		Foxwoods Resort Casino Grand Theater
November 5, 2017	Boston		Orpheum Theatre
November 7, 2017	Bethelehem		Sands Event Center
November 8, 2017	Baltimore		Hippodrome Theatre
November 10, 2017	Brooklyn		Kings Theatre
November 30, 2017	Chicago		Chicago Theatre
December 2, 2017	Carmel		The Palladium
December 3, 2017	St. Louis		Peabody Opera House
December 5, 2017	Minneapolis		State Theatre
December 6, 2017	Madison		Orpheum Theatre
December 8, 2017	Toronto	Canada	Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
December 9, 2017	Windsor		Caesars Windsor
December 11, 2017	Kansas City	United States	Kansas City Music Hall
December 13, 2017	Denver		Paramount Theatre
December 15, 2017	Reno		Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort
December 16, 2017	San Francisco		Masonic Auditorium
December 19, 2017	Portland		Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Oceania^[23]
February 10, 2018	Brisbane	Australia	BCEC Great Hall
February 13, 2018	Sydney		Sydney Opera House
February 14, 2018
February 16, 2018	Melbourne		Rod Laver Arena
Europe^[24]^[25]
March 12, 2018	Moscow	Russia	Crocus City Hall
March 15, 2018	St. Petersburg		Yubileyny Sports Palace
March 17, 2018	Prague	Czech Republic	Prague Congress Centre
March 19, 2018	Milan	Italy	Arcimboldi Theatre
March 20, 2018	Zürich	Switzerland	Samsung Hall
March 22, 2018	Stuttgart	Germany	Porsche-Arena
March 23, 2018	Leipzig		Arena Leipzig
March 25, 2018	Amsterdam	Netherlands	AFAS Live
March 26, 2018	Düsseldorf	Germany	Mitsubishi Electric Halle
March 28, 2018	Paris	France	Le Grand Rex
March 30, 2018	London	England	Royal Festival Hall
March 31, 2018
April 2, 2018	Manchester		O2 Apollo Manchester
April 3, 2018	Nottingham		Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
April 5, 2018	Glasgow	Scotland	SEC Armadillo
April 6, 2018	Sheffield	England	Sheffield City Hall
April 8, 2018	Brussels	Belgium	Palais 12
April 9, 2018	London	England	Eventim Apollo
North America^[26]
July 6, 2018	Kansas City	United States	Starlight Theatre
July 7, 2018	Maryland Heights		Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 9, 2018	Clarkston		DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 10, 2018	Highland Park		Ravinia Pavilion
July 12, 2018	Noblesville		Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
July 14, 2018	Cincinnati		Riverbend Music Center
July 17, 2018	Camden		BB&T Pavilion
July 18, 2018	Mansfield		Xfinity Center
July 20, 2018	Charlotte		PNC Music Pavilion
July 21, 2018	Raleigh		Coastal Credit Union Music Park
July 24, 2018	Bristow		Jiffy Lube Live
July 25, 2018	Uncasville		Mohegan Sun Arena
July 27, 2018	Toronto	Canada	Budweiser Stage
July 28, 2018	Saratoga Springs	United States	Saratoga Performing Arts Center
August 10, 2018	Holmdel		PNC Bank Arts Center
August 11, 2018	Wantagh		Jones Beach Theater
August 14, 2018	Simpsonville		Heritage Park Amphitheater
August 17, 2018	Tampa		MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 18, 2018	West Palm Beach		Coral Sky Amphitheatre
August 20, 2018	Jacksonville		Daily's Place
August 22, 2018	New Orleans		Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square
August 24, 2018	Dallas		Dos Equis Pavilion
August 25, 2018	The Woodlands		Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 28, 2018	Albuquerque		Isleta Amphitheater
August 29, 2018	Phoenix		Ak-Chin Pavilion
August 31, 2018	Chula Vista		Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
September 1, 2018	Irvine		FivePoint Amphitheatre
September 4, 2018	Los Angeles		Greek Theatre
September 5, 2018	Mountain View		Shoreline Amphitheatre
September 7, 2018	Auburn		White River Amphitheatre
September 8, 2018	Ridgefield		Sunlight Supply Amphitheater

Changed dates

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.^[27][23]

Personnel

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

References

1. Kreps, Daniel (August 14, 2017). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
2. "Bring Me To Life: Evanescence Finds Immortal Synthesis With Symphony". Ravinia Festival. July 3, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
3. Scott, Katie (August 14, 2017). "Evanescence announces 'Synthesis Live' tour, 2 Canadian dates". Global News. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
4. "Evanescence's Amy Lee talks hmv.com through the making of new album Synthesis". HMV. November 10, 2017. from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
5. "Evanescence Amy Lee Talks Orchestral Shows: 'I Think This Is Just A Really Cool Moment In Time'". Forbes. November 13, 2017. from the original on July 11, 2021.
6. Sculley, Alan (November 2, 2017). "Why Evanescence is playing with an orchestra on its tour". The Morning Call.
7. Fusilli, Jim (November 7, 2017). "Alt-Metal Goes Orchestral". The Wall Street Journal.
8. "Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling Announce North American Co-Headline Amphitheater Tour". Blabbermouth. March 6, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
9. Bolling, Cristina (July 21, 2018). "Review: Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence team up for a night of contrasts - and a little self-help". The Charlotte Observer.
10. "Evanescence's Amy Lee to Join Wagakki Band Orchestra Show at Japan's Osaka-Jo Hall". Billboard. January 30, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
11. "Evanescence: 'Hi-Lo' Performance Clip from 'Synthesis Live' DVD". Blabbermouth.net. October 4, 2018. from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
12. Fusilli, Jim (November 7, 2017). "Alt-Metal Goes Orchestral". The Wall Street Journal. from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
13. Sculley, Alan (November 2, 2017). "Why Evanescence is playing with an orchestra on its tour". The Morning Call. from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
14. "Evanescence Amy Lee Talks Orchestral Shows: 'I Think This Is Just A Really Cool Moment In Time'". Forbes. November 13, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
15. "Evanescence & Lindsey Stirling Embody Fire and Grace at NJ Show". Billboard. August 13, 2018. from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
16. Verrechia, Catherine (April 2, 2018). "Live Review: Evanescence at Royal Festival Hall, London, 30/03/18". Gig Wise. from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
17. "Live Review: Evanescence – 31st March 2018 – Royal Festival Hall, London, UK". Renowned for Sound. March 31, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
18. Trakin, Roy (October 17, 2017). "Concert Review: Evanescence Amp Up the Drama With 28-Piece Orchestra at L.A.'s Greek Theatre". Variety. from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
19. Grow, Kory (August 8, 2018). "Evanescence Plot Concert Film 'Synthesis Live' With Full Orchestra". Rolling Stone.
20. "Evanescence Setlist at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas". setlist.fm. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
21. . Evanescence. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
22. "Evanescence Announce 'Synthesis Live' Tour for Fall 2017". Loudwire. August 14, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
23. . Wall of Sound. Australia. January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
24. "Evanescence return with new track Imperfection". Metal Hammer. September 15, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
25. . Evanescence.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
26. "Evanescence Heading Out on Tour with Lindsey Stirling". Evanescence.com. March 6, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
27. "Evanescence Announce Australian Tour: Synthesis Live". Heavy Magazine. October 4, 2017. from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2022.