LIVE: TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – December 28, 2019

Venue: Little Caesars Arena

City: Detroit, MI

Date: December 28, 2019

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

While Christmas music has never been my thing – even with some cool rock and metal albums being released in recent years – but I cannot say no to seeing Trans Siberian Orchestra putting their spin on the season.  This holiday season was no different when I walked into Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on a Saturday afternoon ready to photograph and review what was hopefully to be another amazing performance.  From the minute the lights dimmed and the music started, we were off and running towards a great show.  The lighting was killer and the stage setup and use of video enhanced the show as always.  With familiar faces and characters taking their place during the show, this show was familiar, yet brand new in many ways.  The setlist was full of great tracks both new and old, including a couple classics and even a great rendition of the Savatage track “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24).”  One of the highlights for the rockers in the crowd was the annual appearance of phenomenal guitarist Joel Hoekstra taking his familiar role as lead guitarist and flashing smile after smile while whipping his long hair around on lead after lead.  As the show moved methodically through the setlist, there were surprises and more killer performances with each twist and turn of the show.  The setlist was diverse with songs culled from across the bands diverse discography.  The opening of the show was powerful and the show built up from there.  The vocals were killer, the musical accompaniment was spot on, and the band seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves while cranking through the almost 2.5 hours of music.  While walking out after the show, there didn’t appear to be a person unsatisfied with the afternoon spent with TSO.  I already cannot wait to see the show again next holiday season.

Setlist: Who I Am – An Angel Came Down – O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night – The Prince of Peace – First Snow – A Mad Russian’s Christmas – Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) – Good King Joy – Ornament – Old City Bar – Promises to Keep – This Christmas Day – An Angel Returned – The Storm / The Mountain – Handful of Rain – Mozart/Figaro – Queen of the Winter Night – Wizards in Winter – Can You Hear Me Now – Beethoven – Believe – Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness) – Requiem (The Fifth) – Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Reprise)

FULL SET OF TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA SHOW PHOTOS HERE

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries