Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Enterprise Center

Trans-Siberian Orchestra concluded their three-year long holiday story with their 2024 “The Lost Christmas Eve Tour,” which intertwines the orchestral ballads and rock holiday songs to accompany a narrated story that unfolds during the first set.The original storyline was developed and performed for the first time about two decades ago. One thing I found out this year, after having seen the band perform multiple times over the years, is that each night usually has two shows in the country, having two different touring groups that split between the two coasts (I found this to be absolutely fascinating.) 

The show was filled with the stunning visuals, pyrotechnics and lasers that one would come to expect from a TSO show. The story from the first set was reminiscent of A Christmas Carol, but embodied a more modern feel, illuminating the themes of family and relationships around the holiday season. At any given show, my favorite number performed was and probably always will be “Wizards in Winter,” as the accompaniment between both the band and the stage presentation is mesmerizing. 

The audience was populated with such a variety of different people, and it is always so magical to see the different fans of various ages and musical interests culminate together for a holiday spectacular. My personal favorite moments from the show are when frontrunner Al Pitrelli, one of the original and core members of the group (and former member of Savatage, a group who TSO covers multiple times in their set,) takes the stage to introduce the donations made from the show and a little about each organization in which they are made. After the earnest part of the show, Pitrelli then asked the crowd if they were ready to “keep on rocking and blow some stuff up?”

The second set of the show is by far the most entertaining, and even though some of the effects are recycled from previous tours, it still never gets old. When the snow begins to fall on the audience during “First Snow,” being up close to the stage can be such a unique experience. And, the rock-your-face-off performances such as “A Mad Russian’s Christmas” and “Nutrocker” are timeless, and really demonstrate the groups ability to produce Christmas hits with their traditional TSO rock twist.

The group tours annually almost every year, and the story told is always different. But, one thing remains constant. The TSO tour should be a holiday tradition you do not miss. To hear or read about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and to experience their performance are two completely different things. If you haven’t had the chance to catch them this year as they rolled through St. Louis, or one of their previous performances, I highly recommend keeping an eye out next year for the group to return and consider their show to be a staple in your holiday celebrations.