Saw this spectacular show last night in Lexington, KY. Got free tics to it out of the blue.

Overall impression: Holy Shit!! These guys (and gals) make the Flaming Lips set I saw at Bonnaroo a few years ago seem quaint & amateurish. Slick production all the way around.

They have 3 guitarists, a bassist, a drummer with a Neal-Peart-Level drum kit, 2 keyboardists, 10 chorus members and a 10 piece string section...oh, plus a lead violinist. Most of time there must have been 25 people on stage.

They were doing a Christmas show & basically had 2 sets. 1st was the Christmas one & when they finishes, they recognized various performers & then went straight into their 2nd set of secular music.

Had one of the wildest light shows I've ever seen. Had more lasers going off than a Star Wars battle scene. Had all kinds of fires shooting up on stage & also had some kind of pyramid contraption near back end of floor that opened up & shot flames out the top. Had a moving light catwalk thing that the performers would get on, plus multiple risers, etc. Like one level less than a U2 show.

This thing is choreographed like a Prince show, but was very, very enjoyable. They played for 2.5 hours. You get your money's worth with this act. A Must See Live act.

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 12/2/2016 @ 18:45pm

Great review, Paul! I've always wanted to catch the TSO as they are on my bucket list. But for some reason (maybe because they tour and come to StL every year) they haven't been on top of my priority list. Plus its the lamest excuse from me every year: "I just haven't gotten around to it...". The TSO is coming to St. Louis tomorrow with two shows but unfortunately Sunday is my busiest day of the week as I've got my radio show. But soon it will happen. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 12/3/2016 @ 13:46pm

Jason, hope you get to see them someday. On Wiki it says they are one of the few bands/acts to just start out playing arenas right away, have never opened for anyone & never have an opening act.

I know I wouldn't want to follow them!

Posted by Paul in KY on Sunday, 12/4/2016 @ 18:02pm

RIP Paul O'Neill

Posted by Roy on Friday, 04/7/2017 @ 04:36am

Can't believe that was 7 years ago when I posted that comment! I did finally get to see them live a couple weeks ago in St. Louis (they come every year and I'm usually like "well, maybe next year..."). They usually do two shows a day during the holiday season - I went to the later show. It's no wonder they are well-known for their live performances and the way they tell stories. Yes, their version of "Carol of the Bells" is a classic and will be for a long time. I wasn't quite aware of the history of the group. Apparently its founder passed away a few years ago but there are a few key figures that have kept his group's legacy and vision alive. As of now, I have my doubts they will get in the Rock Hall unless they create a Christmas/Holiday division.

If you haven't seen them live yet, be sure to check them out at your nearest city during the holidays!

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 12/30/2023 @ 23:28pm

You're telling me this entire Siberian orchestra is trans???

Posted by Will M on Sunday, 12/31/2023 @ 07:24am