The Holographic Principle World Tour
The Holographic Principle World Tour was a concert tour by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica in support of their seventh studio album, The Holographic Principle, released by Nuclear Blast on 30 September 2016.
Line-up
The band
- Simone Simons – vocals
- Mark Jansen - grunts, rhythm guitar
- Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar
- Coen Janssen – keyboards
- Rob van der Loo – bass guitar
- Ariën van Weesenbeek - drums
Guest musicians
- Anneke van Giersbergen - vocals on "Storm the Sorrow" at selected dates
- Elize Ryd - vocals on "Storm the Sorrow" at selected dates
- Cristina Scabbia - vocals on "Storm the Sorrow" at selected dates
- Marcela Bovio - vocals on "Sancta Terra" at selected dates, violin on "Universal Love Squad" on 14 April 2018
- Laura Macri - vocals on "Sancta Terra" at selected dates
Co-headliners
- Fleshgod Apocalypse
- Powerwolf
- Lacuna Coil
Supporting acts
- The Agonist
- Arkona
- Beyond the Black
- Crimson Sun
- Skálmöld
- Elantris
- Insomnium
- MaYaN
- Myrath
- VUUR
Tour Dates
The North American Principle Tour
22 shows in North America were announced by Epica on 27 June 2016. It was the first tour in support of their album The Holographic Principle. Epica was joined on the tour by Italian symphonic death metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse, Russian band Arkona and Canadian metalcore band The Agonist. The tour kicked off on 4 November in Québec City and concluded on 3 December in Worcester, Massachusetts.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening acts | Co-headliner | Attendance | Revenue |
| 4 November 2016 | Quebec City | Canada | Imperial Theater | The Agonist | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 5 November 2016 | Montreal | Canada | Corona Theatre | The Agonist | Fleshgod Apocalypse | 875 / 875 | $25,780 |
| 6 November 2016 | Toronto | Canada | Phoenix Concert Theatre | The Agonist | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 8 November 2016 | Chicago | United States | Concord Music Hall | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 9 November 2016 | Minneapolis | United States | Cabooze | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 11 November 2016 | Saskatoon | Canada | Saskatoon Event Center | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 12 November 2016 | Calgary | Canada | Marquee | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 13 November 2016 | Edmonton | Canada | The Ranch | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 15 November 2016 | Vancouver | Canada | The Venue | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 16 November 2016 | Seattle | United States | Studio 7 | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 18 November 2016 | San Francisco | United States | Social Hall | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 19 November 2016 | Los Angeles | United States | The Regent | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 20 November 2016 | Las Vegas | United States | Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 22 November 2016 | Denver | United States | Summit Music Hall | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 23 November 2016 | Lawrence | United States | Granada Theater | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 25 November 2016 | Dallas | United States | Gas Monkey Live | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 26 November 2016 | Austin | United States | Empire Control Room | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 28 November 2016 | St. Petersburg | United States | State Theater | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 29 November 2016 | Atlanta | United States | Masquerade | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 1 December 2016 | Baltimore | United States | Soundstage | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 2 December 2016 | New York City | United States | Webster Hall | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse | ||
| 3 December 2016 | Worcester | United States | Worcester Palladium | The Agonist Arkona | Fleshgod Apocalypse |
The European Principle Tour
On 6 June 2016 it was announced on the band's website that they would embark on European Tour in support of their 7th album co-headlined by German power metal band Powerwolf. Two additional venues were announced on 22 June 2016 on Epica's website. Later on, further dates were announced through band's Facebook site, making the total number of shows 18. The tour kicked off on 12 January in Wiesbaden, Germany and concluded on 4 February in Paris, France. The tour became Epica's biggest European tour to this date.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening act | Co-headliner |
| 12 January 2017 | Wiesbaden | Germany | Schlachthof | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 13 January 2017 | Cologne | Germany | Palladium | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 14 January 2017 | Ludwigsburg | Germany | MHP Arena | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 16 January 2017 | Geneva | Switzerland | Salle des Fetes de Thonex | N/A | Powerwolf |
| 17 January 2017 | Zurich | Switzerland | Volkshaus | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 18 January 2017 | Milan | Italy | Live Club | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 20 January 2017 | Munich | Germany | Tonhalle | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 21 January 2017 | Vienna | Austria | Gasometer | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 22 January 2017 | Budapest | Hungary | Barba Negra | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 24 January 2017 | Warsaw | Poland | Progresja | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 25 January 2017 | Berlin | Germany | Huxleys Neue Welt | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 27 January 2017 | Oberhausen | Germany | Turbinenhalle | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 28 January 2017 | Prague | Czech Republic | Forum Karlín | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 29 January 2017 | Hannover | Germany | Capitol | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 31 January 2017 | Hamburg | Germany | Mehr! Theater | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 1 February 2017 | Brussels | Belgium | Ancienne Belgique | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 3 February 2017 | London | Great Britain | Shepherd's Bush Empire | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
| 4 February 2017 | Paris | France | Le Zénith | Beyond the Black | Powerwolf |
The Russian Principle Tour
On 20 September 2016, the band announced three show dates in Russia along five shows in the Nordic countries. The tour kicked off on 24 February 2017 in Moscow and concluded on 26 February 2017 in Saint Petersburg.| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| 24 February 2017 | Moscow | Russia | Izvestiya Hall |
| 25 February 2017 | Ekaterinburg | Russia | Tele-Club |
| 26 February 2017 | Saint Petersburg | Russia | Avrora Hall |
The Nordic Principle Tour
On 20 September 2016, the band announced five show dates in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The melodic metal band from Finland was announced as the opening act for the first venue, while the Icelanding folk metal band Skalmöld was announced as the opening act for the latter four dates. The band kicked off The Nordic Principle Tour on 28 February 2017 in Helsinki, Finland and concluded the tour on 5 March 2017 in Malmö, Sweden.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening act |
| 28 February 2017 | Helsinki | Finland | Tavastia Club | Crimson Sun |
| 1 March 2017 | Stockholm | Sweden | Debaser Strand | Skálmöld |
| 3 March 2017 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Amager Bio | Skálmöld |
| 4 March 2017 | Oslo | Norway | Vulkan Arena | Skálmöld |
| 5 March 2017 | Malmö | Sweden | KB | Skálmöld |
The Asian Principle Tour
On 8 October 2016 Epica announced they would tour Japan for the first time in their career. Later, dates for Taiwan and South Korea were announced. The tour kicked off in Osaka, Japan on 4 April 2017 and concluded in Seoul, South Korea on 9 April 2017.| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| 4 April 2017 | Osaka | Japan | Umeda Club Quattro |
| 5 April 2017 | Nagoya | Japan | Club Quattro |
| 6 April 2017 | Tokyo | Japan | Shibuya Club Quattro |
| 8 April 2017 | Taipei | Taiwan | The Wall |
| 9 April 2017 | Seoul | South Korea | Rolling Hall |
South and Central America
11 shows for South and Central America were announced. The tour is set to kick off in San José, Costa Rica on 5 May 2017 and conclude in Bogotá, Colombia on 21 May 2017.| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| 5 May 2017 | San José | Costa Rica | Pepper's Club |
| 6 May 2017 | Tegucigalpa | Honduras | Hotel Clarion |
| 9 May 2017 | Chihuahua City | Mexico | Expo Chihuahua |
| 11 May 2017 | Mexico City | Mexico | Pepsi Centre |
| 12 May 2017 | San Luis Potosí City | Mexico | Cineteca Alameda |
| 13 May 2017 | Guadalajara City | Mexico | Teatro Diana |
| 15 May 2017 | Monterrey | Mexico | Escena |
| 17 May 2017 | Bucaramanga | Colombia | Auditorio Luis A. Calvo |
| 18 May 2017 | Medellín | Colombia | Teatro Universidad de Medellin |
| 19 May 2017 | Cali | Colombia | Teatro Jorge Isaacs |
| 21 May 2017 | Bogotá | Colombia | Royal Center |
Festivals
Epica is set to perform at 8 festivals in Europe in the summer of 2017.| Date | City | Country | Festival |
| 8 June 2017 | Interlaken | Switzerland | Greenfield Festival |
| 10 June 2017 | Paris | France | Download Festival |
| 17 June 2017 | Nickelsdorf | Austria | Nova Rock |
| 16 June 2017 | Dessel | Belgium | Graspop |
| 30 June 2017 | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | Hills of Rock |
| 2 July 2017 | Athens | Greece | Rockwave Festival |
| 14 July 2017 | Vizovice | Czech Republic | Masters of Rock |
| 4 August 2017 | Corroios | Portugal | VOA |
| 10 August 2017 | Villena | Spain | |
| 18 August 2017 | Dinkelsbühl | Germany | Summer Breeze |
| 23 August–27, 2017 | Straszęcin | Poland |
The Ultimate Principle Tour - North America
Epica announced a set of tour dates with co-headliner Lacuna Coil for another tour in both the United States and Canada. Support bands will be Insomnium and Elantris. The tour will begin on 31 August 2017 in Boston and end on 29 September 2017 in New York City.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening acts | Co-headliner | Attendance | Revenue |
| 31 August 2017 | Boston | United States | Royale | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 1 September 2017 | Montreal | Canada | Métropolis | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | 1,294 / 1,570 | $41,009 |
| 2 September 2017 | Quebec City | Canada | Imperial Theater | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 3 September 2017 | Toronto | Canada | The Opera House | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 5 September 2017 | Cleveland | United States | Agora Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 6 September 2017 | Joliet | United States | The Forge | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 8 September 2017 | Denver | United States | Ogden Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 9 September 2017 | Salt Lake City | United States | The Complex | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 11 September 2017 | Seattle | United States | The Showbox | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 12 September 2017 | Portland | United States | Hawthorne Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 14 September 2017 | Berkeley | United States | UC Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 15 September 2017 | Los Angeles | United States | The Novo | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 16 September 2017 | Santa Ana | United States | The Observatory | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 17 September 2017 | Phoenix | United States | Marquee Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 19 September 2017 | San Antonio | United States | Alamo Music Hall | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 20 September 2017 | Dallas | United States | Gas Monkey Live | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 21 September 2017 | Houston | United States | Warehouse Live | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 23 September 2017 | Fort Lauderdale | United States | Revolution Live | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 24 September 2017 | Orlando | United States | The Plaza Live | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 25 September 2017 | Atlanta | United States | Masquerade | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 27 September 2017 | Baltimore | United States | Rams Head Live! | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | ||
| 28 September 2017 | Philadelphia | United States | Trocadero Theatre | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil | 727 / 1,220 | $19,194 |
| 29 September 2017 | New York City | United States | PlayStation Theater | Insomnium Elantris | Lacuna Coil |
The Belgian Principle Tour
The Dutch Principle Tour
Epica is playing 3 Dutch club shows with Mark Jansen's other band MaYaN serving as the opening act on all three dates.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening act |
| 20 October 2017 | Zwolle | The Netherlands | Hedon | MaYaN |
| 21 October 2017 | Haarlem | The Netherlands | Patronaat | MaYaN |
| 22 October 2017 | Nijmegen | The Netherlands | Doornroosje | MaYaN |
The Ultimate Principle Tour - Europe
On 12 April 2017 Epica announced through their website, that they would tour Europe in support of The Holographic Principle one last time. Epica will be supported by the Tunisian progressive oriental metal band Myrath and newly formed Dutch band of Anneke van Giersbergen named VUUR. The band will play 11 venues and visit Poland, Germany and France. The tour is supposed to kick off in Kraków, Poland on 9 November 2017 and conclude in Lille, France on 3 December 2017.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening acts |
| 9 November 2017 | Kraków | Poland | Klub Studio | Myrath and VUUR |
| 9 November 2017 | Zlín | Czech Republic | Masters Of Rock Café | Myrath and VUUR |
| 12 November 2017 | Berlin | Germany | Kesselhaus | Myrath and VUUR |
| 13 November 2017 | Hamburg | Germany | Markthalle | Myrath and VUUR |
| 14 November 2017 | Cologne | Germany | Essigfabrik | Myrath and VUUR |
| 15 November 2017 | Metz | France | La BAM | Myrath and VUUR |
| 17 November 2017 | Nantes | France | Stereolux | Myrath and VUUR |
| 18 November 2017 | Bordeaux | France | Krakatoa | Myrath and VUUR |
| 25 November 2017 | Marseille | France | Le Moulin | Myrath and VUUR |
| 26 November 2017 | Lyon | France | Le Transbordeur | Myrath and VUUR |
| 29 November 2017 | Munich | Germany | Backstage Werk | Myrath and VUUR |
| 1 December 2017 | Bologna | Italy | Estragon | Myrath and VUUR |
| 2 December 2017 | Pratteln | Switzerland | Z7 | Myrath and VUUR |
| 3 December 2017 | Lille | France | L’Aéronef | - |
The Ultimate Principle Tour - Asia
The Ultimate Principle Tour - South America
The United Principle Tour
On 31 July 2017, the band announced tour dates for Ireland and United Kingdom shows in April 2018.| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening acts |
| 6 April 2018 | Nottingham | England | Rock City | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |
| 7 April 2018 | Glasgow | Scotland | O² ABC | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |
| 8 April 2018 | Bristol | England | O² Academy | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |
| 10 April 2018 | Dublin | Ireland | Tivoli | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |
| 12 April 2018 | Manchester | England | O² Ritz | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |
| 13 April 2018 | London | England | O² Forum | Myrkur Oceans of Slumber |