Evanescence’s Sanctuary Tour Proves Their Story Is Far From Over
Evanescence’s 2026 Sanctuary tour is shaping up to be an expansive celebration of the band’s past, present and future, taking Amy Lee and company across the UK and mainland Europe in a run of major arena shows. Following the North American leg, the European run began in Leeds on 8 September before moving through Manchester, Birmingham and London, and then continuing into Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.
The scale of the tour is matched by an eclectic supporting line-up. Poppy joins Evanescence throughout the UK and European dates, bringing her own distinctive mixture of alternative pop, metal and industrial influences. The UK shows also featured K.Flay, who collaborated with Evanescence on the 2025 single ‘Fight Like a Girl’, while Nova Twins take over support duties for the mainland European dates.
Evanescence’s own set draws on the band’s extensive catalogue while also making plenty of room for newer material. Songs such as ‘Going Under’, ‘Bring Me to Life’ and ‘My Immortal’ remain obvious highlights, but tracks from the current Sanctuary era make it clear that the band are not simply relying on nostalgia. Amy Lee’s unmistakable vocals, combined with heavy guitars, piano-driven arrangements and expansive production, give the shows a suitably cinematic atmosphere, bridging the band’s past and present without either feeling out of place.
That balance was particularly evident at London’s O2 Arena on 13 September, where one of the tour’s defining moments took place. Evanescence had already been performing ‘End of You’, the 2025 collaboration between Amy Lee, Poppy and Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante, throughout the tour. In London, however, LaPlante joined Amy and Poppy on stage, bringing all three vocalists together for the first time to perform the song live. It was a fitting showcase for the collaborative spirit that runs through the current era of Evanescence.
In many ways, that moment captures the wider spirit of the tour: Evanescence are embracing their established identity while simultaneously opening the door to a newer generation of artists and collaborators. Spanning venues across the UK and mainland Europe, the Sanctuary tour feels like a substantial European journey in its own right, rather than simply a series of greatest-hits shows. With its combination of classic songs, new material, striking collaborations and a diverse supporting bill, the tour reflects a band that continues to evolve without losing the sound and atmosphere that made Evanescence such a distinctive force in rock in the first place.
