# Worlds Collide (tour)

Worlds Collide (also referred to as Worlds Collide Tour) was a concert tour co-headlined by American rock band Evanescence and Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. The tour was originally scheduled to begin in spring 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety measures that had to be subsequently undertaken, including the restriction of concerts, the tour had to be postponed. The first postponement occurred on March 13, 2020 and, as the pandemic persisted, a second occurred on June 22, 2020, a third on April 13, 2021, and a fourth on February 11, 2022. With the safety measures lifted, the tour was able to start on November 9, 2022, in Munich, and concluded on December 8, 2022, in Berlin.

## Background

The first time members of both bands met was at an Evanescence concert in 2018, which led Amy Lee to dig deeper into Within Temptation songs. Following a festival in Switzerland during the summer festival season of 2019 that both Evanescence and Within Temptation co-headlined on the same day, the two bands agreed that planning a tour together would be a great idea. A few weeks later, both bands posted teaser clips on their respective social medias regarding an undisclosed project, creating some buzz for a possible tour or musical collaboration. On September 17, 2019, it was announced that they would embark on a tour together in April 2020, passing through seven countries in Europe. According to both Lee and Sharon den Adel, a collaboration between them was something the public of both bands had been asking for a long time. The two bands developing a good personal relationship was another element that led to the conception of the tour, as Lee pointed that her and Den Adel "instantly connected" the first time they met. Regarding the title of the tour, Lee stated that both bands chose it together. According to the singer, although they live in very distant countries and have some differences in their music, they also share a lot of similarities, so the name reflects well the embracing of both.

## Development
### COVID-19 reschedules

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both Within Temptation and Evanescence decided to postpone the tour with rescheduled dates to be announced for fall 2020. The tour was then rescheduled to start on September 2, 2020, passing through the same cities. As the pandemic persisted and the occurrence of concerts was still prohibited, the tour was postponed again for September and October 2021, and then for March and April 2022. On the third rescheduling announcement, Evanescence commented on a press release that "we hate to make you wait longer but we are absolutely determined to make this tour we’ve all been looking forward to happening" and asked their fans to "stay safe, stay sane" during the persisting pandemic. Within Temptation also lamented the postponement necessity, but stated that "although we can't make the current situation better than it is, we hope to put a big smile on your faces again soon", also asking the fans to stay safe. Nearly one month before the tour was set to start on the third rescheduled dates, it had to be postponed once more as the pandemic safety measures had been having different lifting degrees on each country, with some of them not allowing the occurrence of crowded events still. The official dates for the tour were rearranged to take place in November and December, 2022.
During the outbreak, members of both bands took part at the Together at Home movement, where artists made online live performances from their houses to encourage people to stay home and prevent more infection cases by respecting social distancing.

### Production

After the successive reschedules due to the pandemic, the tour was allowed to occur on November and December 2022. It was decided that Within Temptation and Evanescence would take turns on which band would play first each night.
The stage setting of both bands were also different. Within Temptation presented a stage with a fantasy and futuristic ambience. It contained a large mechanical sculpture at the center, which depicted the face of a creature. The piece was a central element of the concert, as the sculpture moved and came apart at certain parts of the show. During the song "Angels", lead vocalist Sharon den Adel sang atop of the sculpture, lifted by an elevator, with flaming wings projected behind her. It was the same face which appeared in their music video of "The Purge", but on a bigger scale. For the song "All I Need", den Adel was suspended again, this time performing the song sitting on a swing in the form of a ring and within a circle of lights. The band also made use of screen projections, fog machines and pyrotechnics.
Evanescence presented a different stage lighting set, with a minimal and more concrete stage decoration, which focused on the band members performances. Platforms with stairs were disposed around the stage. At the back, a triangle-shaped screen on a pyramid-like backdrop projected different images and effects for each song. During certain moments of the concert, a grand piano emerged from the floor at the center of the stage, on which Amy Lee sat and played songs such as "Far From Heaven" and "My Immortal".

## Critical reception

The tour had received mainly positive reviews from critics. Lee and den Adel's vocal abilities, the production value, and the specific characteristics of both bands were among the most praised elements.
Writing for Metal Hammer, Rich Hobson praised the performance of both Evanescence and Within Temptation on their passage through Birmingham, giving the concerts a score of 4.5 stars out of 5. He commented positively on Amy Lee and Sharon den Adel's vocal performances, the song selection for the show, and on both band's vision on how to present their songs live. Also in the United Kingdom, Nick Ruskell from The Daily Telegraph and Callum Crumlish from The Daily Express commented positively on the tour's passage through London as well. The first praised Lee's voice, stage presence, and commented that "Evanescence proved a perfect exercise in classy, majestic heaviness". The second deemed Within Temptation's concert "Earth-shattering entertainment".
Cedric Botzung from Luxembourger newspaper L'essentiel emphasized the setlist of both bands. Commenting on Evanescence, he commended Lee's performance of "My Immortal" and "Far from Heaven" on the piano, as well as stating that the singer "appeared like a metal goddess on "Broken Pieces Shine"". On Within Temptation, Botznug highlighted "Faster" and "Paradise (What About Us?)", calling them "symphonic metal hymns". Robert van Gijssel from Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant was also positive in his review of the first date in Amsterdam. He commented that Within Temptation's concert as a whole was illustrative of why the band have been pioneers in their genre since their beginnings, having transcended the borders of the Netherlands and toured large venues around the world with names such as Evanescence's. He praised den Adel as well, saying that she gives the "bombastic rock that healing power that makes Within Temptation so popular".

## Commercial performance

The tour was originally planned to feature 12 concerts, a number which was later increased. A few days after the beginning of the sales an extra concert in Amsterdam was added, as the first one had already sold out. On October 29, 2019, five more dates were announced due to high demand and fast selling tickets. Among those dates, three more concerts in the United Kingdom were scheduled as the London one had sold out, one more in Belgium, and Luxembourg also entered the route. By May 2020, after the first reschedule, a total of 150,000 tickets had already been sold. The concert in Munich was rescheduled to take place at a larger venue for the 2022 dates, also due to high tickets demand. After the start of the tour in November 2022, most shows were sold out or close to selling out.

## Set lists

Both setlists from Evanescence and Within Temptation are representative of the concert on November 9, 2022, in Munich, and did not represent the majority of the shows on the tour.

### Evanescence

* "Artifact/The Turn"
* "Broken Pieces Shine"
* "Made of Stone"
* "Take Cover"
* "Going Under"
* "Wasted on You"
* "Lacrymosa"
* "Lose Control / Part of Me / Never Go Back" (medley)
* "Far From Heaven"
* "Your Star"
* "End of the Dream"
* "Better Without You"
* "Call Me When You're Sober"
* "Imaginary"
* "Use My Voice"
* "Blind Belief"
* "My Immortal"
* "Bring Me to Life"
* Set list slightly varied between shows
** "Lacrymosa" wasn't played at selected dates.
** "Use My Voice" also featured Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation and Deena Jakoub of Veridia at selected dates.

### Within Temptation

* "Intro"
* "See Who I Am"
* "In the Middle of the Night"
* "Paradise (What About Us?)"
* "Angels"
* "Entertain You"
* "Raise Your Banner"
* "And We Run"
* "Don't Pray for Me"
* "All I Need"
* "The Reckoning"
* "Supernova"
* "Stairway to the Skies"
* "Our Solemn Hour"
* "Faster"
* "Mother Earth"
* Set list slightly varied between shows:
** The order of some songs was altered slightly between concerts.
** "The Purge" was played instead of "And We Run" at selected dates.
** "Shed My Skin" was played instead of "And We Run" at selected dates.
** "Iron" was played instead of "In The Middle of the Night" at selected dates.
** "Ice Queen" was played instead of "Our Solemn Hour" at selected dates.
** "Stand My Ground" was played instead of "In The Middle of the Night" at selected dates.
** "What Have You Done" was played at selected dates.
** "Stairway to the Skies" wasn't played at selected dates.
** "Shot in the Dark" was played on December 5.
** "Never-ending Story" was played on December 5.
** "The Reckoning" featured Amy Lee at selected dates.
** "Shed My Skin" featured Christoph Wieczorek at selected dates.

## Tour dates

List of 2022 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue and support act :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Support Act |
| November 9, 2022 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle | Veridia |
| November 10, 2022 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | Veridia |
| November 12, 2022 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | Veridia |
| November 14, 2022 | London | England | The O2 Arena | Veridia |
| November 15, 2022 | Birmingham | England | Utilita Arena Birmingham | Veridia |
| November 17, 2022 | Glasgow | Scotland | OVO Hydro | Veridia |
| November 19, 2022 | Leeds | England | First Direct Arena | Veridia |
| November 21, 2022 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | Veridia |
| November 22, 2022 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | Veridia |
| November 23, 2022 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | Smash Into Pieces |
| November 25, 2022 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | Smash Into Pieces |
| November 27, 2022 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | Smash Into Pieces |
| November 29, 2022 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | Smash Into Pieces |
| November 30, 2022 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | Smash Into Pieces |
| December 1, 2022 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | Smash Into Pieces |
| December 3, 2022 | Leipzig | Germany | Quarterback Immobilien Arena | Smash Into Pieces |
| December 5, 2022 | Gliwice | Poland | Gliwice Arena | Smash Into Pieces |
| December 7, 2022 | Hamburg | Germany | Barclaycard Arena | Smash Into Pieces |
| December 8, 2022 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | Smash Into Pieces |

### Postponed shows

List of postponed concerts, showing date, city, country, venue and reason for postponement :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
| Europe – Original dates ||||||
| April 4, 2020 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 5, 2020 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 7, 2020 | London | England | The O2 Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 9, 2020 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 11, 2020 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 12, 2020 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 14, 2020 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 15, 2020 | Munich | Germany | Kulturhalle Zenith | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 17, 2020 | Hamburg | Germany | Alsterdorfer Sporthalle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 18, 2020 | Leipzig | Germany | Arena Leipzig | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 20, 2020 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 21, 2020 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 22, 2020 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 24, 2020 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 26, 2020 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 28, 2020 | Glasgow | Scotland | SSE Hydro | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 30, 2020 | Leeds | England | First Direct Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| May 1, 2020 | Birmingham | England | Utilita Arena Birmingham | COVID-19 pandemic |
| May 3, 2020 | Madrid | Spain | Palacio Vistalegre | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Europe – First postponed dates ||||||
| September 2, 2020 | Glasgow | Scotland | SSE Hydro | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 3, 2020 | Leeds | England | First Direct Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 5, 2020 | Birmingham | England | Utilita Arena Birmingham | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 6, 2020 | London | England | The O2 Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 8, 2020 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 9, 2020 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 11, 2020 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 12, 2020 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 14, 2020 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 17, 2020 | Hamburg | Germany | Barclaycard Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 18, 2020 | Leipzig | Germany | Quarterback Immobilien Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 20, 2020 | Gliwice | Poland | Gliwice Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 21, 2020 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 22, 2020 | Munich | Germany | Zenith | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 24, 2020 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 25, 2020 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 27, 2020 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 29, 2020 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | COVID-19 pandemic |
| October 1, 2020 | Madrid | Spain | Palacio Vistalegre | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Europe – Second postponed dates ||||||
| September 8, 2021 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 9, 2021 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 11, 2021 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 12, 2021 | Gliwice | Poland | Gliwice Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 14, 2021 | Leipzig | Germany | Quarterback Immobilien Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 15, 2021 | Hamburg | Germany | Barclaycard Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 17, 2021 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 18, 2021 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 20, 2021 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 21, 2021 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 22, 2021 | Munich | Germany | Zenith | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 24, 2021 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 26, 2021 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 27, 2021 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 28, 2021 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| September 30, 2021 | Glasgow | Scotland | SSE Hydro | COVID-19 pandemic |
| October 1, 2021 | Leeds | England | First Direct Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| October 3, 2021 | Birmingham | England | Utilita Arena Birmingham | COVID-19 pandemic |
| October 4, 2021 | London | England | The O2 Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| October 9, 2021 | Lisbon | Portugal | Altice Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Europe – Third postponed dates ||||||
| March 16, 2022 | Leipzig | Germany | Quarterback Immobilien Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 17, 2022 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 18, 2022 | Gliwice | Poland | Gliwice Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 20, 2022 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 21, 2022 | Brussels | Belgium | Palais 12 | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 23, 2022 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Mitsubishi Electric Halle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 24, 2022 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 26, 2022 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 28, 2022 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | COVID-19 pandemic |
| March 30, 2022 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 1, 2022 | Hamburg | Germany | Barclaycard Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 4, 2022 | Leeds | England | First Direct Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 5, 2022 | London | England | The O2 Arena | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 7, 2022 | Glasgow | Scotland | SSE Hydro | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 8, 2022 | Birmingham | England | Utilita Arena Birmingham | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 11, 2022 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 12, 2022 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 13, 2022 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | COVID-19 pandemic |
| April 15, 2022 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | COVID-19 pandemic |
* A^ Due to health issues, Evanescence did not play on that date. Within Temptation and Smash Into Pieces had longer sets.
* B^ Show would have featured Evanescence only.

## Personnel
### Evanescence

* Amy Lee – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
* Troy McLawhorn – lead guitar
* Tim McCord – rhythm guitar
* Will Hunt – drums, percussion
* Emma Anzai – bass, backing vocals

### Within Temptation

* Sharon den Adel – vocals
* Ruud Jolie – lead guitar
* Stefan Helleblad – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Martijn Spierenburg – keyboards
* Jeroen van Veen – bass guitar
* Mike Coolen – drums