There are a few shows that are synonymous when you think of Christmas. A few like the Rockettes and certainly the Trans Siberian Orchestra. TSO is in their 17th year and with most cities getting double performances (a 3pm and 8pm show), their are no signs of this tour slowing down at all. With tragic deaths to the brainchild of TSO in Paul O’Neil and bassist David Zablidowsky, the band decided to venture on. The them once again for the 3rd year in a row was ‘The Ghost of Christmas Eve.” The difference this year was a story had accompanying video screens that also helped tell the story along with longtime narrator Bryan Hicks. Also, it was nice that the drum kit was above the marquee on the stage.
The show continues to showcase some amazing vocal talent. All the vocalists take their respective turns at the front during the set. Russell Allen, Lisa Lavie and Dustin Brayley really stood out for belted their respective songs. The show is in 3 parts. The first is a setup of whats to come. The second contained the Ghost of Christmas Eve and the last was a”Best of TSO” set.
The show had the musicians going into the audiences, fireworks, snow faking from the ceiling, risers going over the crowd and lost of lasers going all over the arena. The tune ““Safest Way Into Tomorrow” was dedicated to the memory of David Z and O’Neil. Guitarist Joel Hoekstra and violinist Roddy Chong were all over the place, giving that rocker edge to the set. TSO is a mixture of all different type of songs but the songs that really define the band are “Wizards in Winter” and the Savatage cover Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) which the band knocked out of the park and got the people out of their seats.
Everything is BIG. What the band gives most of all is BIG. Everything is over the top and the fans keep coming back because that’s what they expect, and that’s what they get!
Setlist:
Time and Distance (The Dash)
Winter Place
The Lost Christmas Eve
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
O Come All ye Faithful/O Holy Night
Good King Joy
Christmas Dreams
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Savatage Cover)
Christmas Canon Rock
What Child is This?
Music Box Blues
First Snow
Promises to Keep
The Christmas Day
Siberian Sleigh Ride
Christmas Nights in Blue
A Mad Russian’s Christmas
For the Sake of Our Brother
Wizards in Winter
Madness of Men
Beethoven
Carmina Burana
The Safest Way Into Tomorrow
The Night Conceives
The Mountain
Find Our Way Home
Requiem (The Fifth)
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Savatage Cover)
We would like to thank Shaunelle Gowen from Solters PR for the credentials to review the show.
