Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Ghosts & New Year's Eve

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
KeyArena, Seattle, WA
12.30.16

As 2016 drew to a close, what better way than to celebrate than with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s pre-New Year’s festivities at Seattle’s KeyArena. The group – brainchild of producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, and formed from members of the rock group, Savatage – has become an annual holiday rock extravaganza. TSO’s shows have become quite a tradition over the last 21 years, packing arenas on both east and west coasts with adoring fans.

The crowd spanned from kids to grandparents to serious rockers, a multi-generational experience, all listening to Christmas songs with an edge. The show brought out the spirit of the holidays and gathered together everyone that would never in a million years seem to be gathered, for the same concert.

The afternoon started off in the fine TSO tradition of giving back to the community. In every city, TSO has given part of the proceeds from each show to a local charity, and for this particular one, they donated $1 from each ticket to Birthday Dreams.

Then it was time for the show. The lights dimmed, the red curtain rose, and the stage filled with fog to reveal the singers and band in front of five huge video screens flashing various graphics and images. Their elaborate staging combined lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and video to create a vibrant and mesmerizing show that perfectly complemented the music.

The stage itself became another performer in the show. What looked like a normal stage transformed into five separate platforms that elevated the musicians to heights well above the crowd. Throughout the evening it was next to impossible to keep track of everything going on. Falling snow and sparkling lights added beautiful visual stimulation that painted a picture of the Christmas story. Various singers took the spotlight to either solo or duet a song while the band played a beautiful two hour performance.

Near the end of the evening, bandleader Al Pitrelli thanked everyone for coming, “What an incredible city and place to end this year’s tour.” He asked how many were seeing TSO for the first time, and it was incredible to see how many hands went up. “Where are my repeat offenders?” he asked, and the remaining arena roared in appreciation. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the effort that goes into this travelling production.

Pitrelli said that it takes an army to set this up and he took a moment to bring the army on stage. It was a very humbling moment to see the men and women that brought this show to life. “Minus the 10 bus drivers, 18 tractor trailer drivers who were sleeping, and guys at front of house that refuse to leave their positions, please give everyone behind me a round of applause,” Pitrelli said.

TSO really is one of the best shows out there, a sight to behold. Next year when the tour comes around, it will surely outdo itself again. Do yourself a favor and get a ticket, see one show, or both. But be sure not to miss it. What an awesome night and last show, to end 2016 with a bang.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Set List
Who I Am
March Of The Kings
Lost Christmas Eve
Oh Holy Night
Good King Joy
Christmas Dreams
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12-24)
Canon Rock
What Child Is This
Music Box Blues
First Snow
Promises To Keep
This Christmas Day
Singer Intro
Christmas Jam
Mad Russian
A Last Illusion
Christmas Night Blue
Wizards
Carmina Burana
Mat = Labrynth/ Eve = Madness Of Men
Band Intro
Not The Same
Night Conceives
Mountain
Find Our Way Home
Requiem into Christmas Eve (Reprise)