{{Short description|2017–18 concert tour by Evanescence}} {{Infobox concert | concert_tour_name = Synthesis Live | image = Evanescence - Synthesis Live poster.png | image_size = 220 | landscape = | alt = | image_caption = | artist = Evanescence | album = ''Synthesis'' | location = {{hlist|Europe|North America|Oceania}} | start_date = {{Start date|2017|10|14}} | end_date = {{End date|2018|09|08}} | number_of_legs = 4 | number_of_shows = 82 | last_tour = Evanescence Tour<br/>(2011–2012) | this_tour = '''Synthesis Live'''<br/>(2017–2018) | next_tour = The Bitter Truth Tour<br/>(2021–2023) }}
'''Synthesis Live''' was a concert tour by the 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.
==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."<ref name="20hrs">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ravi">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="20hrs"/>
The Synthesis Live tour was announced by the band on August 14, 2017.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="moment">{{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}}</ref> For each city on the tour, a local orchestra was assembled by the show's conductor, Susie Seiter.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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''.<ref name="20hrs" /> 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.<ref name="blab20180306">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Critical reception== The Synthesis Live concert tour received critical acclaim,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> with several publications calling it an ambitious tour.<ref name="WSJ"/><ref name="call">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> ''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".<ref name="fire">{{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}}</ref> ''Gig Wise'' said the band "exceeded all expectations" and "the multiple layers in this performance make it become a whole different jaw-dropping experience".<ref name="hall">{{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}}</ref> "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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''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.<ref name="Greek">{{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}}</ref> ''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."<ref name="WSJ">{{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}}</ref>
==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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Set list== '''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" # "End of the Dream" # "My Heart Is Broken" # "Lithium" # "Bring Me to Life" # "Unraveling" # "Imaginary" # "Secret Door" # "Across the Universe" <small>(The Beatles cover, played on second North American leg)</small> # "Hi-Lo" <small>(with Lindsey Stirling on second North American leg)</small> # "Lost in Paradise" # "Your Star" # "My Immortal" # "The In-Between" # "Imperfection"
'''Encore''' # <li value="18">"Speak to Me"</li> # "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== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of 2017 concerts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evanescence.com/shows/|title=Shows Archive - Evanescence|publisher=Evanescence|accessdate=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015150435/http://www.evanescence.com/shows/|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/evanescence-synthesis-live-tour-fall-2017/|title=Evanescence Announce 'Synthesis Live' Tour for Fall 2017|work=Loudwire|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Date ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Country ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Venue |- |October 14, 2017 |Las Vegas |rowspan="22"|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 |Bethlehem |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 |rowspan="2"|Canada |Sony Centre for the Performing Arts |- |December 9, 2017 |Windsor |Caesars Windsor |- |December 11, 2017 |Kansas City |rowspan="5"|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 |}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of 2018 concerts<ref name="Aus change"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/evanescence-return-with-new-track-imperfection|title=Evanescence return with new track Imperfection|work=Metal Hammer|date=September 15, 2017|accessdate=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evanescence.com/shows/ |title=Shows Archive |website=Evanescence.com |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110183350/http://www.evanescence.com/shows/ |archive-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evanescence.com/news/evanescence-heading-tour-lindsey-stirling/ |title=Evanescence Heading Out on Tour with Lindsey Stirling |website=Evanescence.com|date=March 6, 2018|access-date=June 1, 2019}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Date ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Country ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Venue |- |February 10, 2018 |Brisbane |rowspan="4"|Australia |BCEC Great Hall |- |February 13, 2018 |rowspan="2"|Sydney |rowspan="2"|Sydney Opera House |- |February 14, 2018 |- |February 16, 2018 |Melbourne |Rod Laver Arena |- |March 12, 2018 |Moscow |rowspan="2"|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 |rowspan="2"|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 |rowspan="2"|London |rowspan="4"|England |rowspan="2"|Royal Festival Hall |- |March 31, 2018 |- |April 2, 2018 |Manchester |O<sub>2</sub> 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 |- |July 6, 2018 |Kansas City | rowspan="12"| 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 | rowspan="18"|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="Aus change">{{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}}</ref>
==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== {{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 Category:Concert tours of Germany Category:Concert tours of Russia Category:Concert tours of the United Kingdom Category:Concert tours of the United States Category:Evanescence concert tours