[Review] Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

I’m filing this one in the “better late than never” file. Yes – it’s been a couple of weeks since the show and you’re just going to have to accept my apology for the wee bit of a wait on this review – shit happens, am I right, or am I right.

The nice thing is—with TSO only touring for such a short time each year—you all have a solid 10 months to read and re-read this review as you await the next tour pre-sale.

For the last 25 years, TSO has been bringing its powerful, orchestral rock show to Cleveland. Ever since that first highly amplified violin chord rang through the streets of CLE, fans have been packing whatever venue the tour has invaded, and over the years, those venues have grown in size, as has the audience and the spectacle.

This year – for the first time in several years – the band changed things up a bit bringing a revamped story and stage show to the capacity crowd – but the message of hope, love, and faith rang through as powerfully and magically as ever.

The band returned to their presentation of THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE making it the first time I had seen this story performed live – and it was energizing. Long known for their amazing stage and light design, this year proved that the band still knows how to thrill an audience with lights, fog, lasers, and fire. No matter how many times you see it – it takes your breath away when it all starts – but none of it would matter if the musicianship wasn’t in place – but fear not – it was in place and rocking harder than ever. Anchored by the nimble fingers of guitarists Chris Caffery and Joel Hoekstra – the amazing coalition of artists that are TSO ripped through a roughly two-hour set that transfixed all in attendance.

Of special note was an outstanding performance of OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL by singer Kayla Reeves that was goosebump-inducing – so powerful, so crisp and clean, it was – – special.

Also – for the first time that I can remember we get a kick-ass drum solo from Jeff Plate – worth the price of admission in and of itself.

A TSO show is a throwback to those big rock arena productions of my youth and damn – I do love them so. This band never fails to impress, amaze, and satisfy. It is a yearly holiday treat that I look forward to every season – and it is always so great to experience it all over again with 20,000 other souls at this special time of year.

There were a few surprises in the setlist this year – here’s a look at the whole show.

Welcome
(Savatage cover)
Moonlight and Madness
Faith Noel
The Lost Christmas Eve
Wizards in Winter
Christmas Nights in Blue
Christmas Jam / Siberian Sleigh Ride
Queen of the Winter Night
What Is Christmas?
Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)
For the Sake of Our Brother
Back to a Reason, Part II
What Child Is This?
Christmas Canon
Different Wings
Faith Noel (Reprise)
King Rurik / Mozart & Madness / Tracers
The Three Kings and I
First Snow
A Mad Russian’s Christmas
Nutrocker / Drum Solo
When the Crowds Are Gone
(Savatage cover) (Song dedicated to TSO founder, Paul O’Neill)
Requiem (The Fifth)
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
Cleveland Rocks