Evanescence’s more relaxed and ready to hit the road    ·    September 12th, 2006

A couple of years have passed since Evanescence toured the globe in support of its multiplatinum 2003 debut, ‘Fallen,’ and the band is eagerly awaiting round two.

‘They`re very excited to get the [new] music out there and have a chance to play it,’ says manager Andy Lurie of 110 Management.

The rockers haven`t long to wait; another worldwide trek is in the works. This time around Evanescence will take a slightly different, more relaxed approach to global domination. “They intend to tour smart this time,” Lurie says. “I think they suffered from a little burnout last time because they didn`t build in any reasonable breaks. They pretty much toured nonstop for up to 18 months.”

Seventy concerts reported to Billboard Boxscore between Feb. 25, 2003, and Aug. 14, 2004, show that Evanescence pulled in $8.6 million. Twenty-three of those gigs were sellouts.

Two days after ‘The Open Door’ hits stores Oct. 3 via Wind-up Records, Evanescence will embark on the first leg of its jaunt, playing 17 dates in 1,200- to 3,300-capacity venues across the United States and Canada. Tickets range from $25 to $35, and New York-based band Revelation Theory supports on all dates. The idea was to start off light and give Evanescence`s “core crowd” a chance to see the band up close and personal. “This is sort of their way of thanking fans for being so patient,” Lurie says.

Creative Artists Agency`s Jenna Adler, who represents the band in North America, says New York`s Hammerstein Ballroom and Los Angeles` Wiltern LG sold out immediately following the Aug. 19 general on-sale. “It definitely created the buzz we wanted,” Adler says. “They had such a huge first record that people were wondering if, on the second record, they could continue this growth pattern. It`s quite obvious they have.”

Along with the upcoming trek linked to the release of ‘The Open Door,’ Adler says she strategically coordinated with Wind-up to give the album`s first single, “Call Me When You`re Sober,” radio play to build interest in ticket sales. “What you see happening more and more is labels and agencies collaborating more in terms of setting up an artist and making sure all the t`s are crossed and the i`s are dotted,” she says.

After the North American run ends Oct. 29, Evanescence will head to Europe to play 2,000- to 4,000-capacity venues. From there the band will return stateside for radio concerts (including top 40 radio station WHTZ [Z100] New York`s annual Jingle Ball ) and TV appearances. Then it`s off to Japan, Australia and New Zealand to ring in the new year, according to Lurie, who says dates are still tentative. Geoff Meall of the Agency Group books the band worldwide (except South America) out of TAG`s London office.

Once spring rolls around, Evanescence plans to revisit North America to play 5,000- to 7,000-seat buildings. The intent is to hit secondary markets for a six-week run, says Adler, who explains that it`s better to take gradual steps before jumping to amphitheaters and arenas. ‘We don`t want to go zero to 60 in a second,’ she explains. “I think it pays to take the appropriate steps at the appropriate time, and leave people wanting more every time.” Ticket prices will most likely stay in the range of $25-$35, she adds.

Another key place of interest is South America. Lurie notes that Evanescence has a strong following in the region, and didn`t have a chance to tour there the last time around. The band is also scheduled for a two-song appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, which takes place Oct. 19 in Mexico City.