Trans Siberian Orchestra
 

Just got some tickets to see them in December, do any of you enjoy them like I do during the holiday season?

Yeah, I definitely love listening to them. My favorite is the one they did in 96 I believe, "Christmas Eve and Other Stories."

I've seen them each of the last 4 years. Great show. I wish they would do something new, though, for the main story.

I LOVE their instrumental versions of Christmas classics--but their original songs just don't strike me.

My buddy Jeff likes this band but I never listened to it.

My girlfriend at the time bought tickets and we went (maybe 3 years ago) to the Boston show. I had never heard their music but I like atmospheric groups like Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Enigma, etc. I thought I might like TSO but I thought it was one of the cheesiest events I had ever had to sit through. In between every song one of the members narrated a story that he'd pick up at the next song break. It was too theatrical and the whole time I was searching for some substance...something to enjoy. We ended up leaving early and we were almost giddy that we escaped. However, most of the people there seemed to be having a great time, so you probably will.

Not really related, but I noticed that when I loaded the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange into iTunes it said that Trans Siberian Orchestra did most of the songs. I know that isn't true, but it seemed odd.

I saw them before they split into 2 touring groups and loved the show. I know everyone has their personal tastes, but describing it as "cheesiest" in the way above is just pure ignorance. Like it's TSO's fault that someone didn't take time to actually find out what the band was like before they bought tickets. If someone had bothered to find out, they'd know that every CD is a story, and the narration is part of that.

I don't know if they're still doing this, but when I saw TSO they came out to the lobby of the venue about 15 minutes after the show and signed for anyone hanging around.

I love TSO..but cheesy is a pretty good term to describe some of it. No shame in that.

My GF just bought me TSO tickets. I'll see them on 12/10.

Great band. I listen to them every Xmas.
I would love to see them live but never come to Eastern Canada.

Savatage \m/

Just saw them on their Christmas Tour Saturday night. Great show, superb music, awesome light show. Highly recommend to anyone.

I actually saw them last Thursday night. I thought the lights were great as well. I was a little disappointed in some of the vocal pieces, but I think it was more the fault of the acoustics of the venue. Nonetheless, all of the instrumentals were amazing.

what's the general attire for these shows? 'Regular' concert attire or a fancier "symphony" wear? I'll be seeing them in Dallas in a few weeks.

Both. Tails and black t-shirt :)

While I don't see TSO as a formal event, you might want to leave your faded Cannibal Corpse tour shirt and concert-going-jacket (with the "special pockets") at home.

I think it depends on the venue mainly. Last year, here in Jackson, they were in a symphony hall = nice clothes. This year, they were in a basic coliseum (which is why the acoustics weren't that hot I feel). Some wore jeans and a t-shirt, but most wore slacks and a polo or other collared shirt, no tie.

most folks at the show I went to were "business casual". I wore a tie, but the wife and I just wanted to dress up a little.

One of the most amazing stage shows I've ever seen. I have never ever seen so many lights, lasers, and expolosions. I can't even begin to describe it while giving it justice.

The first 75 minutes or so consisted mostly of the first album as it tells a Christmas story, like a rock opera, narrator and all. After that, all bets were off and the next 90 minutes (yes, they played 2:45 straight) included Christmas songs, Beethoven stuff, and even some Zeppelin. I think the band threw isome of their Savatage licks too.

It snowed inside the building, the lights were amazing in themselves, the lasers crisscrossed the arena hundreds of times over and there were about 8 flamethrowers which would shoot up 20-foot red, green, or blue flames at key points.

For the finale, the 2 main guitarists got on a platform that raised them 50 feet in the air, putting them eye level with the balcony folks.

Recommended to anyone, everyone, and I can't wait to go next year.

I just saw them Friday night for the second time. I had main floor, row 7. Got a bunch of nice pictures too.

I didn't think you could take a camera to this type of thing.

Saturday's show didn't allow cameras.

That's because of the annoying guy with the flash in row 7 on Friday night.

Nope! The flash was turned off! :p

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/962/p31501379gv.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5392/p31601501px.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4651/p31601710of.jpg

Just saw this show last night. Incredible! I'll definitely be going back again next year.

There's something fundamentally wrong with the universe when a band as talented as these guys can only fill an arena by playing christmas music.