Evanescence, Spiritbox, Nova Twins
Sanctuary North America Tour 2026
July 12, 2026
Morton Amphitheater, Riverside, Missuouri
Photos by Adam Tibbott, and Alex Bemis (when credited)
Words by Adam Tibbott, and Heather Clark
The Sanctuary Tour arrived at the brand-new Morton Amphitheater in Riverside, Missouri, on July 12, 2026, for what I think was just the venue’s ninth concert, and it immediately felt like a landmark evening. Featuring Evanescence alongside Spiritbox and Nova Twins, the lineup showcased three outstanding female-led bands spanning modern rock and heavy music. This show was a milestone for me. It was my second time seeing Nova Twins, third time seeing Spiritbox, and fourteenth time seeing Evanescence since first photographing the band in 2003.
Nova Twins proved to be the perfect choice to open the evening, earning an enthusiastic response from the rapidly filling amphitheater. Splitting their set between Parasites & Butterflies and Supernova, the duo delivered the same explosive energy and undeniable chemistry that has made them one of rock’s most exciting live acts.
There was a momentary glitch during their set, though. The band’s current drummer, Jake Woodward, had a “wardrobe malfunction” just as Choose Your Fighter started. Woodward snagged himself in his jersey, forcing an abrupt stop for the band. After some teasing from guitarist and vocalist Amy Love, and chants of “Take it off” from the crowd, he took off the jersey, prompting South to say he should “donate” it to the crowd, resulting in the fans reaching out like a bunch of rabid zombies grasping for fresh meat.
Nova Twins performance had the crowd engaged from the opening chords of Antagonist and set the tone for everything that followed. The ladies even switched up their set, including my favorite song, Piranha, with bassist Georgia South bouncing around the stage.
Spiritbox once again demonstrated why they have become one of premier live bands of the heavy metal genre. Their 12-song set leaned heavily into material from Tsunami Sea while still drawing from across their catalog, creating a relentless performance that steadily pushed the audience into a frenzy.
The on-stage chemistry between vocalist Courtney Laplante, Guitarist Mike Stringer (LaPlante’s husband), long time drummer Zev Rose, and bassist Josh Gilbert is something special. It was apparent that the band truly enjoys their time on stage, and with each other.
The band dedicated their second to last song, Holy Roller, to “all the fans who’ve been there since the beginning.” Their last song though was not “meant for the fans.” Soft Spine continues to go out to everyone that Courtney “fucking hates.” If the amphitheater didn’t have seats, the mosh pit in front of the stage would have bled far back into the lawn.
LaPlante’s remarkable vocal range, backed by the band’s crushing musicianship, made for another unforgettable appearance.
By the time Evanescence took the stage, Morton Amphitheater was fully alive. Performing for nearly two hours, the band delivered a sprawling 21-song set centered around their latest album, Sanctuary, while weaving in fan favorites from Fallen, The Open Door, and The Bitter Truth. Among the night’s defining moments were a breathtaking rendition of “My Immortal” and the massive audience sing-along during “Bring Me to Life.” More than 23 years after their release, both songs continue to resonate across generations, transforming into unforgettable communal moments that remain among the emotional highlights of every Evanescence performance.
The production itself was the largest I’ve seen from Evanescence. Massive LED screens, an impressive lighting design, and, remarkably for the first time in the fourteen times I’ve seen them, pyrotechnics elevated the show without overshadowing the music. The spectacle perfectly complemented a band that continues to evolve while maintaining the passion and intensity that first captivated audiences more than two decades ago.
The unexpected emotional highlight of the evening turned out to be the stripped-down version of Forever Without You.
Amy Lee offered some needed advice to the crowd to introduce the song. “First of all, never regret love. You’re not bad, you’re not stupid for loving somebody, but you don’t have to stay. And as scary and terrifying and as impossible as it may seem to take that first step out the door of a bad situation, I promise you it is infinitely better on the other side.”
For the first time that evening, the crowd grew still. Amy Lee at her piano, bassist Emma Anzai sat in front of a microphone, and several thousand fans quietly singing along through more than a few tears.
For many in attendance, watching the band after all these years felt like reaching back into their childhood and teenage years, offering a profound sense of healing to the version of them that used to listen to these very songs in isolation. It wasn’t just a concert; it was an emotional reckoning with the past, wrapped in the comfort of a band that has soundtracked so many for their entire life.
Beyond the music, the Sanctuary Tour represented something larger. Twenty years ago, a major amphitheater tour featuring three female-led rock and metal bands sharing the same stage would have been difficult to imagine. Watching Nova Twins, Spiritbox, and Evanescence command an audience of tens of thousands at one of the Midwest’s newest venues was a powerful reminder of how much the genre and fanbase has grown. It wasn’t simply a celebration of three exceptional bands, it was a celebration of progress, representation, and the enduring power of women who continue to redefine rock and heavy music on the biggest stages.
