An artist both of their time and seemingly out of it at the same moment, K.Flay is a wonderful enigma. She energises the already packed Utilita Arena simply by her presence. The music flows like liquid as she gets on with playing host. There are big nods back to some of the greats from the past, both in the songwriting and the delivery, but you also get that lovely genre-defying punch that screams freshness. Tonight K.Flay slays so hard that it’s hard not to imagine her headlining venues like this in the near future.
Riding on the crest of the tidal wave that came from latest album ‘Sanctuary’ Evanescence have been putting in an impressive number of air miles of late. The results show everywhere tonight. The crowd adore the band; that’s clear. They sing every word to every song, with the new material being shouted out just as loud as that from the legendary debut ‘Fallen’ and everything in between. The band themselves are majestic, filling the huge venue with an aura of greatness. They are as sharp as a pin, something you only get with plenty of stage time under your belt. And then of course there’s ‘that’ voice. Amy Lee in this kind of form is irresistible, less a singer, more a sonic goddess. Her pitch and tone are simply jaw-dropping. K.Flay and Poppy make guest appearances, showing genuine unity. The stage show has plenty of flair and fire, but where a production often overshadows or fills in for something lacking, here it complements and takes a back seat. Here the show is the music, and that’s exactly how it should be. This is a performance that is on an incredible level. Evanescence just moved their already high bar into the heavens.
Review and photos by Gary Trueman