The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is winding down their “Ghosts of Christmas Eve – The Best of TSO and More” 2016 winter tour. Formed in 1996, this marks their 20th year on the road. I had the opportunity to catch the East Group’s performance on the Eve of Christmas Eve at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois and it was spectacular, like always.
For the past eight years, I have been fortunate enough to attend two TSO shows each winter. The Rosemont show marked my 16th Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert attended.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra has two touring teams, the East Group and the West Group. Between both groups, this year alone, they are performing in 34 states, in 61 cities, doing 105 shows and 44 of those days were double show days from November 17, 2016 through December 31, 2016 with a total of 21,172 miles toured.
I saw the West Group perform in Moline, Illinois in early December, and you can view the concert recap HERE. I’m very fortunate because both groups tour closely to where I live.
This year, the East Group welcomed back guitarist extraordinaire, Joel Hoekstra. He was absent last year because he was busy touring the world with his band, Whitesnake. As always, he was full of energy and brought back what was missing last year.
Other East Group favorites, who I look forward to seeing every year, is Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery, bassist Dave Z. and electric violinist Roddy Chong. Chong leads a seven person strings section from local music chapters at each of his shows, along with Asha Mevlana from the West Group. I enjoy how TSO brings out area talent to perform at each of their events.
This year, also rockin’ the masses with their tremendous musical talents are keyboardists Derek Wieland (who is also the musical director) and Mee Eun Kim and drummer Jeff Plate.
Storyteller, Bryan Hicks, also warms up the crowd with his very impressive vocal abilities and he captures his audience from the first row to the last in. Vocal powerhouses Zak Stevens, Russell Allen, Dustin Brayley, Robin Borneman, Rob Evan, Georgia Napolitano, Kayla Reeves, Lisa Lavie, Natalya Rose Piette and Autumn Guzzardi all brought the house down with their incredible singing abilities.
After a much needed two-day break on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, TSO continues the last leg of their tour tonight in Phoenix, Arizona with the West Group and Newark, New Jersey with the East Group.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows are an audio visual dream,. You’ll hear the most talented musicians performing to classic holiday tunes synced up with electrifying light displays, lasers, smoke machines, pyrotechnics and even snow.
During this tour, TSO plays their signature songs, “The Lost Christmas Eve,” “O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night,” “This Christmas Day,” “Music Box Blues,” “First Snow” and more. Each year they change up their stage setups and as noted in my previous review, their show this year was the best. From all the technical elements, to the music and the moving stage parts, it worked very well.
If you’ve never been to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, make it a priority to catch them on one of their final shows this year, or put it in your calendar to see them in the winter time next year. I’m already looking forward to the 2017 winter tour.
Keep up with all the Trans-Siberian Orchestra happenings, and sign up for their fan club, at www.Trans-Siberian.com.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s remaining shows include:
Monday, December 26: Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center Monday, December 26: Phoenix, Arizona Gila River Arena Tuesday, December 27: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Consol Energy Center Tuesday, December 27: Ontario, California Citizens Business Bank Arena Wednesday, December 28: Sacramento, California Golden 1 Center Thursday, December 29: Columbus, Ohio Nationwide Arena Friday, December 30: Detroit, Michigan The Palace of Auburn Hills Friday, December 30: Portland, Oregon Moda Center Saturday, December 31: Cleveland, Ohio Quicken Loans Arena Saturday, December 31: Seattle, Washington Key Arena