“How badass is this lineup?” Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee asked the packed Toronto audience late in the band’s set on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Lee and her bandmates had just been joined on the RBC Amphitheatre stage for a captivating performance of “Fight Like A Girl” from their new album Sanctuary by a trio of special guests: Spiritbox vocalist Courtney LaPlante, along with Amy Love and Georgia South of the Nova Twins.
“We’ve been looking forward to this tour for a long time for a lot of reasons,” Lee told the crowd.
“I cannot tell you how amazing it is to get on stage with that kind of power every night.”
The collaboration created one of the evening’s standout moments, capping an energetic night of hard rock.
Evanescence’s set drew heavily from its newly released sixth studio album, Sanctuary, with all 12 tracks woven throughout the band’s 21-song performance. The album was released at the beginning of June.
“It’s an honour to be back with you in your beautiful country,” Lee said.
“Thank-you so much for having us. No matter how close it always feels like it has been too long. Welcome newcomers. It’s also my honour to be able to finally say that our new album Sanctuary is out. Thank-you for the love, thank-you for listening. We’re so happy you’re here.”
Seated at a piano centre stage, Lee introduced the band’s new ballad “Forever Without You” by sharing the personal inspiration behind the song before offering words of encouragement to fans.
“This next song is very personal to me, like they all are I guess,” she said.
“I wrote this song about my life and my journey in getting here. My survival, but…” Lee paused as the crowd erupted in cheers.
“As I’ve gone through life more and more everyday I have heard how many people have gone through something similar. So, if you hear something that I say in this story and you relate to it in a way that ‘I’ve been there’ or ‘I am there’, I will tell you two things.”
Lee added: “First of all, never regret love. You’re not bad, you’re not stupid for loving someone, but you don’t have to stay. And as terrifying and impossible as it may seem to take that first step out the door of a bad situation, I promise you. It’s infinitely better on the other side.”
Lee’s dynamic vocals remained the focal point throughout the night, supported by the tight musicianship of Tim McCord, Will Hunt, Troy McLawhorn and Emma Anzai.
Before closing the show, Lee thanked her bandmates for helping create the new album, along with the crew “for putting this big, badass, beautiful, amazing show together with us.” She then turned her attention to the audience.
“We’re so happy,” she added, before praising the band’s fans.
“Last, I have to thank you guys for the years we have spent together. I know some of you are new, but so many of us, we’ve lived some life together by now, huh? I know you know, the unspoken knowing, thank-you so much for what we share. Thank-you for the love. Thank-you for expressing and sharing your stories and your lives, and your loss and your pain. This is where we get to let all that out. Thank-you for the memories.”
Victoria, B.C., heavy metal powerhouse Spiritbox took the stage immediately before Evanescence.
“We are so happy to be here with you once more celebrating Evanescence and their brand new record,” LaPlante told the audience, adding she was thrilled to see such a diverse and inclusive Toronto crowd.
“You know how incredible it is for me to see so many women out there,” she said.
“This next song, this is to everyone I see out there, all the girls, all the gays and everyone, we see you out there.”
Opening the evening, British rock duo Nova Twins showcased material from their acclaimed new album Parasites & Butterflies, following their recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert and a string of standout festival performances across Europe and North America.
The first leg of the Sanctuary tour wraps up Aug. 2, 2026, at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Mich., before continuing with a European tour beginning in September and dates in Australia and New Zealand in 2027.
Here are some more photos from the Toronto show:
