Evanescence @ The Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA (10/10/06)

Please keep in mind that not all these pictures are mine. My cellphone didn't really take any clear photos so credit must be given to StrangeImp13 and my new buddy Angela, for some of the pics I used. I hope they don't mind! >.<

All pics are thumbnails and can be clicked to enlarge.

So after having two days to clear my head and get over what was probably one of the best nights of my life (no exaggerations there kiddies), I think its time to tell you guys about my night @ The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA with Evanescence!

To start:

Me and my dad woke up at about 8AM to start getting ready for the show that was starting at 8PM. We unfortunately didn't remember to buy ANY clothing for the concert, so we had to go to our local Hot Topic (shut up.) since they would be the most likely to have some Evanescence merch. Despite Hot Topic never having any Evanescence, we thought we'd take our chances...and to our surprise they had just received a new shipment of "The Open Door" t-shirts, which I and my dad grabbed up right away. After getting some kick ass converse shoes and some nice pants to match, I headed home with my dad to get everything ready for the concert. Bringing what was necessary, and printing out some directions via mapquest we were on our way.




It wasn’t until about 4PM that we actually made it to the venue, which was just in time to get some good parking and get some rather decent spots in line (where we were originally it was going to place us about 20 ft back from the stage). Since the doors did not open until 7PM on the dot; those 3 hours felt like an eternity, especially since I’m not used to standing that long and my feet were killing me. At about 5:30PM the windows of the electric factory began to shake and I could hear Amy’s voice booming out from the air vents. Although this has been said by others who heard their sound checks for this tour, it truly DID sound like they were playing the CD. Amy was so on key and perfect in her performance that it wasn’t until she started talking that I knew that it was really her performing during that sound check. She was absolutely perfect.



Later on, at about 6 (an hour before the doors open) I met a really awesome group of people who my dad dubbed as the “Temple Kids” since they all go to Temple University in Philly. They were wondering where the line ends, but I told them that if they stand where I am that they’d get really good seats as the guard told us we were going to be only about 2-3 rows back from the stage. They seemed to be really thankful for my advice and we started to talk to each other and discuss where we were from. I unfortunately really didn’t get any of their names except for Angela who I spoke to quite a bit that night. She really wanted to get front row seats, because according to her she’s an aspiring singer and really idolizes Amy Lee and how perfect her voice is. She later returned the favor by helping me get closer to the stage but I’ll get into that in a little bit.



7:00PM: The doors open and we begin to walk into the venue, boys and girls separated, walking in single file. My first thought that graced my mind upon heading into the place was just how big the venue really was. I had no clue that the Electric Factory could hold so many people (800-1,000 by a guard’s best estimate), and there I was only about 20 feet away from the stage, getting ready as the crowd began to pack tighter then a tin of sardines.

Now, I’m not sure if it was before or after the opening act “Revelation Theory” came on, but my dad started hearing someone call my name, and it turns out it was Angela gesturing for me to come up with her and her friends. I asked my dad if he wanted to come along but he told me to just go ahead and enjoy myself. When I got to where she was (which was literally 2-3 rows from the stage and less than 10 ft away) she told me “there’s no way I’m going to let you stand all the way back there after helping us out”. Even though it was weird not standing there with my dad, I am thankful I squeezed my way up there because the seats were incredible.




It wasn’t until about 8PM that the opening band Revelation Theory came on. The guitarist was actually from Philly so he seemed to feel really comfortable performing to the crowd and put on quite a show. In fact, the entire opening band was a lot better then I expected. Compared to the dreadful opening band for Coldplay (which was Black Mountain) these guys did a good job of getting the crowd pumped up and really put on quite an excellent show for the 40-50 minutes they were allowed to be on stage. At one moment, their lead singer took a swig of water, tilted his head back and spit a stream of it into the crowd. Everyone screamed and tried to dodge it but everyone in the first 3 rows (including myself) got pretty soaked, which I thought was hilarious.

To be honest, the only thing I didn’t like about the band is that rather then toss a few CDs out to the crowd for free, they tried to milk the fans of 20 bucks a CD. No thanks.

I mean, they were great and sounded like a mix of 3 Days Grace and Disturbed, but I’m not paying 20 when I spent 9.99 on Evanescence’s CD who are obviously far more popular at the moment. But moving on…

The wait seemed like literally forever but at about 5 after 9 (they were a little late) the crowd erupted in cheers as Rocky, John, Terry and the newest member Tim walked up on stage and got into their places. Walking out to screams of “AMY!!!”, (which lead to me getting pushed front at least 2 feet) the lovely Miss Lee wasted no time in getting into their opening song “Sweet Sacrifice”, which happens to also be the opening track on their new album “The Open Door”. From the first notes that exited her lips, Amy was eerily on key the entire night, leading her band mates into one of those rare live sets that go off without a hitch, sounding perfect for the entire night. Words cannot explain how awestruck I was to see Amy move about so freely (and in rhythm to the music), without ever missing a key or sounding out of breath for the duration of the show.





For those who own their live DVD “Anywhere But Home”, let me say that the band has greatly improved since that time and that Amy can hit basically any note the songs throw at her. Despite selling out almost every venue they have offered tickets for, and finding out that night that they had the #1 selling album in America (which Amy proudly told the crowd with an accomplished smile on her face), the band never came off pompous or ‘above the crowd’ as they did whatever they could to connect with their fans. This was their fourth time coming to the Electric Factory and Amy owed that mostly due in part to the excellent energy the crowd emits every time they come by. Screaming even during soft songs like “Good Enough”, Amy finally had to tell us “YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!” with a huge grin on her face as went into the next song “Call Me When You’re Sober” which also kicked a boatload of ass.

Bottom line: The band was incredible and Amy never missed a beat, moving my dad (who has seen Pink Floyd, Tom Petty and other great acts) and I to tears at some points by the sheer power of her voice and the emotion she poured out to her dedicated fans.

Walking out of the venue with my voice sounding like it was 10 years younger (I was that hoarse!) and being barely able to walk, my dad turned to me and said this was easily one of the best concerts he’s ever been to in his life. And let me tell you, my dad couldn’t have been more correct about that if he tried.

Concert Review: 9.5/10 (Only mark against it was its length)

 

Heheheh yeah she's a cutie. I was kinda shy at first cause I didn't expect her to start talking to me after I let her have a space in line. I think I made an idiot out of myself, since I was caught off guard...but who gives a crap eh?

More pics of OTHER band members:

http://flickr.com/photos/13517696@N00/sets/72157594324100343/

 

Everyone was on. Like I said it was one of those rare nights where a band kicks total ass for the entire set.