Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 2017 Winter Tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” is the first tour since the death of their founder, Paul O’Neill, and bassist David Zablidowsky. Paul was given a special honor moment in the show, and it was a touching moment to witness.
Each tour the stage and effects get more impressive, and this year was no exception. Orlando was on the tail-end of the tour this year, but it was worth the wait.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (or TSO, as they are also known) is not a concert for the faint of heart. The special effects range from pyrotechnics to lasers to moving platforms. It’s not so much a concert as it is an event and one that you have to see at least once in your lifetime. At times I’ll admit that it felt like a bit much. Kind of like sitting in a WWF (sorry… WWE) performance and an Alice Cooper concert at the same time.
Something that I enjoy about the TSO concerts, though, is no matter where you sit you get a great view. If you are on the floor, you see the stage and the performers more clearly, but there are things that happen to you that makes the higher up seats more preferable at times.
Of course, my favorite part of the concert was the Christmas segment—not surprising, since Christmas music is what TSO is most known for. The stage magically changed into an old-timey theater like the one in the Lost Christmas Eve special, complete with the narrator coming from what appeared to be the theater doors while the drummer and keyboardist were on the platform above his head.
The most touching part of this years performance was the tribute to Paul. The audience joined in with the modern “concert lighter,” cellphone flashlight, waving. Paul died tragically due to complications of prescription medications earlier this year, and David Z died just a few months later after his tour bus was hit on the way to a performance with his other band, Adrenaline Mob.
Each year TSO promises to make it bigger and better, and after this year I think the Amway Arena might want to consider a roof that opens up to keep it from catching on fire.
Keep your eyes on TSO’s website for the next tour, which generally opens up around September. Previous fan-goers (aka repeat offenders) get first dibs on tickets.
Disclaimer: GeekMom was given tickets to this event.
