Fresh off the Thanksgiving holiday, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) had concert goers rockin’ around the Christmas tree during their high energy performance at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA on November 28th. Performing their signature two showtimes, a matinee at 3:00pm and an evening at 7:30pm, TSO captivated audiences with the story of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More.
A fan favorite and annual tradition for many, concert goers were in for a treat as the band excitedly displayed new additions to the show’s special effects, lighting, and staging. Among aurora colored animal constellations that mapped the night sky, the band’s silhouettes slowly came into focus. Electric violinist Asha Mevlana, drummer Blas Elias, powerhouse guitarists Angus Clark and Al Pitrelli, and bassist John Lee Middleton all took center stage as the festive celestial voyage took flight.
Highlights of this band’s one-of-a-kind show include Phillip Brandon’s ability to transport concert goers through vivid narration and storytelling, fierce blue and neon green illuminated fire canons, the band members up close and personal interactions with fans, airy snow foam, synchronized jewel toned arial drones, and astounding performances by vocalists Jeff Scott Soto, Rosa Laricchiuta, and Chloe Lowery. The band’s-initiated metronome wave through the crowd coupled with jaw-dropping hydraulic staging and multi-colored lasers during “Good King Joy” and “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” from their 1996 album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, filled the eyes and hearts of all in attendance with the joy of the season. Angus Clark and fellow guitarist and vocalist Andrew Ross synchronized rhythmic hair toss magic as they playfully riffed through their performance.
Phillip Brandon’s evoking statement of “the things we do in life, will somehow affect others” echoed through the house as the tempo shifted to an adagio like measure. Paying homage to the late Paul O’Neill, Jane Mangini and Mark Klett seamlessly swayed across the keys, following Al Pitrelli’s meaningful moment on stage. An illuminated star field emerged from the entire venue, a profoundly relatable moment for anyone who has experienced loss. Alluring icicle crystal lights danced above the audience, blanketing the venue in hues of soft blue and white warmth.
The softer tones beautifully segued into TSO’s signature grand finale, which did not disappoint. The extraordinary violinist skills exuded from “A Mad Russian’s Christmas” and the fierce thunderstruck outro of a second round of “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” jolted through the audience as spinning pyrotechnics and booming fireworks sparked the flames of each fire cannon, illuminating the band one last time in golden and cobalt hues. A truly epic send-off to an already magical evening, leaving everyone in attendance sparkling with holiday cheer.
Review by Andrea Garman @themusiclens
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