Photo courtesy of Ashley Osborne

Lindsey Stirling believes that everyone engages in internal battles of duality at some point in their lives, which became the inspiration behind her latest album, Duality. Self-assurance and self-doubt can be felt when least expected, and that is what she intended to capture in a brand-new batch of songs.

Stirling spent three years bringing her most personal and heartbreaking memories to life through Duality, followed by six months of preparations for a world tour. She spent countless hours practicing choreography, assembling costumes and fine tuning production. With five trucks, three buses and 32 people, The Duality Tour is her most ambitious to date.

At a recent tour stop in Rosemont, Ill. Stirling let her stage presence shine. She turned the stage into her playground, quite literally flying across it with aerial silks, hoops and harnesses. From impressive splits to nearly impossible upside-down violin playing, she maintained the audience’s attention even when she was not on stage.

The show began as the lights dimmed and the voices of America’s Got Talent judges said the words that devastated her quarter-final performance: “You’re not untalented, but you’re not good enough…” “What you’re doing is not enough to fill a theater in Vegas.”

Stirling stepped onto the stage in a bedazzled teal shirt, coral skirt and rainbow suspenders that paid homage to the outfit she wore during that performance. “Eye of the Untold Her” began, introducing her dancers who were also paying homage to her album covers as shadows from behind a curtain. Their silhouettes created instant goosebumps as Stirling played to them, showing them that she has, indeed, got talent.

“If we could only see our full potential, we would be astounded,” she said after the first song. “Just because someone else doesn’t see the potential in you doesn't mean it’s not there.”

Each song was brought to life through various aspects of the show. The inspiration behind the song might not be known, but the emotions portrayed through dance, sound, lighting and spoken word is exactly how music should be consumed.

In the moments that Stirling spoke with the audience, she shared stories of insecurities, control, magic and how her father taught her to be adventurous and brave. She was as sincere on stage as she was on Duality.

The stage itself played a major role by being the backdrop of each story. Its design allowed Stirling, her dancers and her band to equally stand out in their own right. Throughout the show it became adorned with tapestries and disco balls, so every audience member had a brilliant view.

Another aspect of her live performances that Stirling has perfected is the costume change. She made several throughout the show, each more dazzling than the last. Even the outfits spoke to how finding the courage to experiment brought out the best in her.

The Duality Tour is the most physically demanding tour that Lindsey Stirling has ever done, and her dedication to its perfection shows. There is not a single moment where the audience is lackluster, as every inch of the stage is captivating. She knows what she wants, and what her audience wants, and seamlessly blends that into a one-of-a-kind performance.