There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air as fans of all ages lined up outside the legendary Crocodile venue in Seattle on the evening of 4 April. The Sleepless Empire tour had descended. With supporting acts VOWWS and Escape The Fate in tow, Lacuna Coil were officially in the building.

While the venue would ultimately be packed for the headliner, an impressive crowd had already gathered when VOWWS emerged to christen the stage. The Australian death‑pop duo opened the evening beautifully, delivering a controlled, polished, high‑energy set. Opening with "The Great Sun", VOWWS established both mood and intent, drawing the audience in from the first notes. Moving through "ESSEFF" and "Waiting For Me" with precision, they commanded the stage. The weight of "Hurt You" and "Casualty" sustained the momentum, giving way to "Impulse Control" and "Symbol System", each track unfolding as part of a larger, cohesive arc.

As the set progressed, the room continued to fill, and the audience response evolved along with it. What began as curiosity soon shifted into full engagement, the distance between stage and crowd dissolving with each song. By the time "Pulls Me Apart" flowed into "One By One", the room was fully present—swaying, dancing, clapping, and cheering—reflecting the energy VOWWS had created.

That immersion was briefly lifted by a moment of understated humour. Gesturing toward the venue's massive suspended crocodile skeleton, Matt remarked that while they come from Australia—home to some "really fucking huge crocodiles"—they had yet to encounter anything quite that large. Rizz followed with playful banter, asking the crowd whether the skeleton was real and engaging directly with their responses. It was a fleeting aside, but one that added a human touch without disrupting the flow, offering a glimpse of the personalities beneath their cool, composed exterior.

Confident and clearly well‑rehearsed, VOWWS delivered a set that balanced power, precision, and presence, leaving a lasting impression. A subtle afterglow lingered as the stage turned over for Escape The Fate.

By the time the Las Vegas‑based post‑hardcore band took the stage, the venue had filled significantly. Heavy riffs, driving rhythms, and sharp vocal hooks intensified the atmosphere. While the emo and screamo elements fall outside my usual listening preferences, there was no denying the strength of the performance or the crowd's enthusiastic response. By the end of their set, the audience was fully primed for the main event.

As Lacuna Coil took the stage, each member emerged individually through the darkness, building anticipation with every step. Cristina Scabbia was the last to appear, and the room erupted. A veteran band with a deeply devoted following, Lacuna Coil launched confidently into "Layers Of Time", followed by "Reckless" and "Hosting The Shadow". Bassist Marco "Maki" Coti Zelati was recovering from injury and remained seated just offstage for much of the performance. When he disappeared after the opening songs, Cristina reassured the audience that he was still present and playing live—confirmed moments later with a few improvised bass slaps from Maki.

Visually, the performance was striking. Gothic aesthetics and corpse paint created a dark, theatrical atmosphere, contrasted by Cristina's red‑and‑black Victorian‑inspired dress, which added a sense of elegance and drama to the classic metal look.

Vocally, the dynamic between Andrea Ferro and Cristina Scabbia remained a defining strength. Andrea's harsh vocals provided a raw edge, while Cristina's operatic delivery added depth and contrast, the two weaving seamlessly between intensity and refinement.

The set balanced newer material with established favourites, maintaining a strong connection with the audience throughout. Highlights included "Layers Of Time", "Spellbound", "Scarecrow", and "Nothing Stands In Our Way", the latter featuring an especially engaging crowd interaction during its introduction. "I Wish You Were Dead" and "Never Dawn" also stood out as particularly powerful moments.

Following thirteen commanding songs, Lacuna Coil returned for a four‑song encore. During "Swamped XX", the second‑to‑last song, Cristina paused the performance after noticing a disturbance near the front of the crowd. A woman had collapsed against the barrier. Cristina immediately stepped down from the stage, assisted the fan, and signalled for staff while remaining by her side until paramedics arrived. Meanwhile, the rest of the band distributed water from their own supplies to the crowd to ensure everyone was taken care of.

Once confirmed that the situation was under control, Cristina returned to the stage, telling the audience, "Sorry for the delay, but we care about you". The response was overwhelming, and the band resumed seamlessly, closing the night on a powerful and deeply human note.

The Crocodile's sound system and engineering were exceptional throughout the evening. The clarity of the mix allowed each band's layered textures to resonate fully, while the lighting design shifted fluidly between shadow and illumination, enhancing the atmosphere without overpowering it.

With the US leg of the Sleepless Empire tour running through 1 May—and festival appearances across Europe and the US beginning in June—Lacuna Coil continue to demonstrate why they remain such a vital force on the live circuit. This tour is well worth experiencing.
  
VOWWS, meanwhile, proved to be far more than a supporting act. It is rare for an opener to leave such a distinct impression, but here they matched the intensity of the headliner with a performance that was both immersive and unforgettable.

Report written by Tiffany

Photos by Greg Goudey

VOWWS Setlist:
The Great Sun
ESSEFF
Waiting For Me
Hurt You
Casualty
Impulse Control
Symbol System
Pulls Me Apart
One By One

Lacuna Coil Setlist:
Layers Of Time
Reckless
Hosting The Shadow
Kill The Light
Die & Rise
Spellbound
Heaven's A Lie XX
Scarecrow
Blood, Tears, Dust
Gravity
Oxygen
In Nomine Patris
Nothing Stands In Our Way
Encore:
The Siege
I Wish You Were Dead
Swamped XX (partially played due to medical event in the audience)
Never Dawn