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Evanescence, Halestorm ready to rock DCU Center

Richard Duckett

Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Evanescence and Halestorm are two hard rock heavy metal bands fronted respectively by two Queens of Rock, Amy Lee and Lzzy Hale.

It is Lee and Hale’s friendship that is largely responsible for Evanescence and Halestorm going on a U.S. tour together, which started Nov. 5 in Portland.

The tour was scheduled to conclude (with rock singer Lilith Czar also featured) Dec. 18 at the DCU Center in Worcester. However, due due to multiple COVID-19 cases within the touring party, it was announced Monday that the DCU Center show has been postponed to Jan. 20.

Nevertheless, it will be another major rock event for the DCU Center in recent weeks. The progressive rock Trans-Siberian Orchestra played two shows Nov. 27. Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours prior to event entry are required for Jan. 20.

“Awesome. We are having such a good time,” Lee said of the tour during a recent teleconference call with Hale. The announcement about the postponement was made Dec. 13, five days after the interview. All had seemed well at the time.

The rearranged Jan. 20 show at the DCU Center will be the Evanescence and Halestorm tour’s only New England stop as well as the tour’s conclusion.

“That’s going to be a big day … We should get some confetti or something,” said Lee.

“I’ve probably mispronounced your city a couple of times,” Hale said, while getting her “Worcester” correctly. Both Evanescence and Halestorm have played at The Palladium in Worcester before, although not together.

“We’re looking forward to it. Man, it’s just going to be a great time,” Hale said.

Evanescence and Halestorm were both part of the 2012’s “Carnival of Madness” tour and that’s where Lee and Hale met and became friends. They have since played on each other’s projects, but the current tour is the first time the two bands have toured together in close to a decade, Lee said.

“It’s kind of funny to think about it,” Hale said. “It feels like six different lifetime since then. The great thing about Amy, we just picked up where we left off.”

Evanescence was co-founded by Lee (vocals, piano) and guitarist Ben Moody (no longer with the band) in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s first full-length album, “Fallen,” released in 2003, took off and eventually sold 17 million copies and won Grammy Awards in 2004 for Best Hard Rock Performance (for “Bring Me to Life”) and Best New Artist. The current lineup is Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn, and guitarist and backing vocalist Jen Majura.

Halestorm, formed in Red Lyon, Pennsylvania, consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale, her brother, drummer and percussionist Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bassist Josh Smith. Its self-titled debut album in 2009 was followed by “The Strange Case Of...” in 2012, and the lead single “Love Bites (So Do I)” won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/ Metal Performance in 2013.

Both bands have enjoyed ongoing

Evanescence will perform Dec. 18 at the DCU Center in Worcester PHOTO COURTESY KALEY NELSON

Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra resumes holiday tradition at Mechanics Hall

After missing last year's Holiday Pops concert because of the pandemic, the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra returned to Mechanics Hall stage Dec. 11 for the 41st annual seasonal celebration before a packed house.

Led by conductor Jorge Soto, the orchestra was joined by a combined college chorus comprising students from Assumption University and Worcester State University, under the direction of Bradford T. Dumont. Soloists Jane Shivick, soprano, and Christon Carney, tenor, were also on hand.

The Murphy Academy of Irish Dance performed, and, as always, the evening included a singalong and a visit from Santa.

The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra has been performing the Holiday Pops concert annually since 1980, with the exception of 2020. STEVE LANAVA The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra presents The 41st Annual Holiday Pops Concert at Mechanics Hall, Saturday, Dec. 11. STEVE LANAVA