This was the first concert I had attended in a while. The past few months have been challenging: relocation issues and the passing of a loved one just a couple of the major things. As such, hitting concerts was not a priority. But things are settling a bit, so my wife and I decided to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the SAP Center (affectionately called the Shark Tank since it’s home to the San Jose Sharks hockey team). I’d never seen them before and heard they put on a killer stage show, so I figured it would be worth checking them out.
We had lower level seats, pretty much straight back. I figured this would be a good spot to appreciate the lasers and pyrotechnics (I was correct in my assumption). The show started almost on time, and there was no opening act, just TSO.
So the first half of the show was Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and was comprised of about 15 songs, very much in the Christmas spirit. I have to say, if I’m being honest, I found it a little too hokey for my tastes. It was like being strapped in a chair and made to watch Hallmark Holiday Programming for an hour straight (note that Hallmark Channel sponsored the tour). My wife said it felt like being in a mega-church. So while there were some cool parts, overall, I was not impressed with the first half.
Thankfully, they redeemed themselves in the second half.
The second half was chock full of classical hits (Grieg, Mozart, Beethoven, etc.) amped up with wailing guitars reminiscent of Judas Priest. And the light show was mind-blowing! There was even a massive Tesla coil shooting out flames and bolts of electricity that crackled in time to the musical pieces.
So on the whole, I liked the show. I would even consider seeing them again, but only if it was not around the holidays. I would love to see a performance that was all hard rock interpretations of classical music. That kind of stuff brings out the prog rock fan in me.
Here are some pictures I snapped from the show, along with the setlist. Hope your holidays rock!
Setlist:
- Who I Am
- An Angel Came Down
- 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
- Epilogue
- The Storm / The Mountain
- Handful of Rain
- Mozart/Figaro
- Christmas Canon Rock
- Wizards in Winter
- Can You Hear Me Now
- Beethoven
- Believe
- Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)
- Requiem (The Fifth)
- Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Reprise)
The Stub Collection 
Gald to hear things are getting back on track for you Jeff! ( sorry for your loss) These guys put on a big production and your pics prove it. It’s impressive that they come around this time of the year and fill the arenas time after time.
Glad the show picked up after the intermission! Better tell your wife to trademark the term Mega Church as I’m sure some death metal band will use that name!
Have a good night Pal!
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Hey man. Thanks. Yeah, mega-churches are a thing in the south. Think huge churches with televangelists. But yeah, it would be a cool name for a band. 😀
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