Is it really 2022!? Seems like yesterday I was photo'ing the band on their first full U.S.A. tour back 22 years ago in 2000. The show budget back then was 5% of what this amazing behemoth of rocking holiday good times has become. This 2022 tour was titled: "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More!" With 2 shows each day we attended the 8pm show on 11.26.22.
If you didn't know, TSO is broken up in 2 huge touring groups. One East Coast the other West Coast. On this West Coast team we're lucky and get some rad rock/Metal veterans, premier musicians and vocal talents like band leader and guitarist Al Pitrelli (Savatage, Alice Cooper, Megadeth), Drummer Blas Elias (Slaughter/Blue Man Group), Bassist Johnny Lee Middleton (Savatage), Singer Dino Jelusick (Dirty Shirley w/ George Lynch of Dokken) and new to the fold this year the amazing singer Moriah Formica (of Plush fame).
Add in the awesome guitarist Angus Clark and electric violinist Asha Mevlana and TSO here on the West Coast always rocks with showmanship and entertainment.
Compared to last years somewhat tamed down Covid production, TSO killed it this year! Band members walking in the lighting walkways above the crowd was back and another separate stage prop in the back of the arena was used a few times. The fans really loved these moments especially when a few members walked down the aisle during the show. With a show of hands half the crowd was there for the first time to see TSO live. No wonder the tour keeps expanding each year with their devoted fanbase.
The show rocked Seattle for over 2 hours with 24 songs spanning all of TSO album years. Seattle Climate Pledge Arena 11.26.22 Setlist:
Fate
Prometheus (Instrumental)
The Lost Christmas Eve
{THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS EVE}
O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night
Good King Joy
Christmas Dreams
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)(Savatage cover)
Christmas Canon Rock
What Child Is This?(William Chatterton Dix cover)
Music Box Blues
First Snow
Promises to Keep
This Christmas Day
{SECOND HALF}
Christmas Carousels / Siberian Sleigh Ride
A Mad Russian's Christmas
For the Sake of Our Brother
Christmas in the Air
Wizards in Winter
Child of the Night / A Last Illusion
Not What You See (Savatage cover)(Dedicated to Paul O'Neill)
Madness of Men
The Snow Came Down
Requiem (The Fifth)
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Reprise)(Savatage cover)
If you wanna take the family (no matter what age) to a show that is worth every penny and more put it on you calendar now for 2023 to attend the Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday rock/metal/orchestral super-show!
Stay up-to-date at: www.trans-siberian.com
