Synthesis Live was a
concert tour
A concert tour (or simply tour) is a series of concerts by an artist or group of artists in different cities, countries or locations. Often concert tours are named to differentiate different tours by the same artist and to associate a specific to ...
by American
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band
Evanescence
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer and musician Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording independent EPs as a duo in the late 90's, and a demo CD, Evanescence released their debut s ...
, in support of their fourth studio album, the
orchestral
An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families.
There are typically four main sections of instruments:
* bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, ce ...
and
electronica
Electronica is both a broad group of electronic-based music styles intended for listening rather than strictly for dancing and a music scene that started in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term is mostly used to r ...
-based ''
Synthesis
Synthesis or synthesize may refer to:
Science Chemistry and biochemistry
*Chemical synthesis, the execution of chemical reactions to form a more complex molecule from chemical precursors
** Organic synthesis, the chemical synthesis of organ ...
'' (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.
Background
"This is a total passion project for me",
Amy Lee
Amy Lynn Hartzler (; born December 13, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She is the co-founder, lead vocalist, and lead songwriter of the rock band Evanescence. Alongside her contributions with the band, Lee has also particip ...
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."
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.
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. 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''.
For each city on the tour, a local orchestra was assembled by the show's
conductor, Susie Seiter. 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
Lindsey Stirling (born September 21, 1986) is an American violinist, songwriter, and dancer. She presents choreographed violin performances, in live and music videos found on her official YouTube channel, which she created in 2007.
Stirling pe ...
, who featured on the ''Synthesis'' song "Hi-Lo", co-headlined with Evanescence, with both artists alternating on who headlined each night.
Critical reception
The Synthesis Live concert tour received critical acclaim, with several publications calling it an ambitious tour.
''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' 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".
''
Gig Wise
''Gigwise'' is a British online music news site that features music news, photos, album reviews, music festivals, concert tickets and video content. Founded in June 2001, the site is based in London, England.
History
Gigwise was launched in 2001 ...
'' said the band "exceeded all expectations" and "the multiple layers in this performance make it become a whole different jaw-dropping experience".
"Each and every musician onstage is in perfect sync" and Lee emits "such incredible depth and sound", ''
Renowned for Sound
''Renowned for Sound'' is an Australian online magazine
An online magazine is a magazine published on the Internet, through bulletin board systems and other forms of public computer networks. One of the first magazines to convert from a pri ...
'' reviewed, regarding the concert "spectacular." ''
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' 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.
''
The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
'' 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."
Live album
On August 8, 2018,
Eagle Rock Entertainment
Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international producer and distributor of music films and programming. It operates two record labels (Eagle Records and Armoury Records), a full-service production company (Eagle Rock Productions) and a music publis ...
announced ''Synthesis Live'' on
CD with
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
or
Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of sto ...
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
Paul R. Brown is an American graphic designer, photographer, and music video and commercial director.
Biography
Brown's early career in graphic design started at Pentagram in London with Peter Saville and Brett Wickens, followed by Frankfurt B ...
and mixed by Damian Taylor. The set contained the entire concert with a live orchestra and included the music video for "Hi-Lo".
Setlist
Orchestra opening
# "La Strada" (by Nino Rota)
# "La Chasse" (by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
# "Pavane" (by Gabriel Fauré)
# "Moonlight Sonata" (by Ludwig van Beethoven)
# "Lacrimosa" (by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
# "Sally's Song" (by Danny Elfman)
Evanescence with orchestra
# "Overture"
# "Never Go Back"
# "
Lacrymosa
"Lacrymosa" is a song recorded by American rock band Evanescence for their second studio album, ''The Open Door'' (2006). An alternative version appears on the band's fourth studio album '' Synthesis'' (2017). The song was composed by singer an ...
"
# "End of the Dream"
# "
My Heart Is Broken
"My Heart Is Broken" is a song by American rock band Evanescence. It was released on October 31, 2011, as the second single for their eponymous third studio album (2011). An alternative version appears on the band's fourth studio album ''Syn ...
"
# "
Lithium
Lithium (from el, λίθος, lithos, lit=stone) is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal. Under standard conditions, it is the least dense metal and the least dense solid el ...
"
# "
Bring Me to Life
"Bring Me to Life" is the debut single by American rock band Evanescence from their debut studio album, ''Fallen'' (2003). Wind-up released it as the album's lead single on April 7, 2003. The song was written by Amy Lee when she was 19, after ...
"
# "Unraveling"
# "Imaginary"
# "Secret Door"
# "Across the Universe"
(The Beatles
The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
cover, played on second North American leg)
# "Hi-Lo"
(with Lindsey Stirling on second North American leg)
# "
Lost in Paradise"
# "Your Star"
# "
My Immortal
"My Immortal" is a song by American rock band Evanescence from their debut studio album, ''Fallen'' (2003). It was released by Wind-up Records on December 8, 2003, as the third single from the album. An alternative version appears on the band's ...
"
# "The In-Between"
# "
Imperfection"
Encore
#
"Speak to Me"
# "
Good Enough"
# "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.
Tour dates
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
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is a convention centre in Brisbane, Australia. It is located in South Brisbane and occupies most of the block formed by Grey Street, Melbourne Street, Merivale Street, and Glenelg Street. The centre ...
.
Personnel
Evanescence
*
Amy Lee
Amy Lynn Hartzler (; born December 13, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She is the co-founder, lead vocalist, and lead songwriter of the rock band Evanescence. Alongside her contributions with the band, Lee has also particip ...
– vocals, piano
*
Will Hunt
William Hunt (born September 5, 1971) is an American drummer. He has been a member of rock band Evanescence since 2007, and has also played for Skrape, Dark New Day, Black Label Society, Device, Crossfade, Staind, Static-X, and Slaughter.
...
– drums, electronic percussion
*
Troy McLawhorn
William Troy McLawhorn (born November 4, 1968) is an American musician who has been a guitarist in the rock band Evanescence since 2007. He has also worked with the bands Seether, Dark New Day, doubleDrive, Still Rain, and Gibraltar.
Early care ...
– guitar
*
Tim McCord
Timothy Todd McCord (born June 28, 1979) is an American musician. He is a member of the rock band Evanescence since 2006, playing bass until 2022 when he switched to guitar. Previously, McCord played guitar for the band The Revolution Smile from ...
– guitar
*
Jen Majura
Jennifer Majura Indrasen (born 16 June 1983) is a German musician. She was the rhythm guitarist for American rock band Evanescence from 2015 to 2022.
Biography
Majura was born in Stuttgart, West Germany, and started in music at the age of s ...
– guitar, theremin, backing vocals
Additional musicians
* Will Hunt – electronics, percussion
*
Dave Eggar
Dave Eggar is an American cellist, pianist and composer.
Early life
Eggar was a musical prodigy as a child, beginning to play the cello and piano at age three and performing as a singer and actor on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera at ...
– cello
* Susie Seiter – conductor
References
{{Evanescence
2017 concert tours
2018 concert tours
Concert tours of Australia
Concert tours of Canada
Concert tours of France
Concert tours of Germany
Concert tours of the United Kingdom
Concert tours of the United States
Evanescence concert tours