Photos by Andy Argyrakis

No milestone was needed for Trans-Siberian Orchestra to pull out all the production bells and bling in the first of two Allstate Arena endeavors, but marking its 20th year of live performances sure gave the troupe an extra excuse to go all out. And even with more lasers, lights and hydraulic lifts than possibly all the current stadium-fillers combined, it never dwarfed the many musicians and singers’ massive wall of sound that blurred the edges between symphonic, progressive and hard rock with constant classical considerations.

Christmas reigned supreme with Trans-Siberian Orchestra annuals “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” “First Snow,” “Promises To Keep” and “This Christmas Day,” all intertwined throughout themes of hope and redemption.

Given the anniversary angle, Trans-Siberian Orchestra basically turned in a retrospective set centered around its television special turned soundtrack “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve.” It’s a source the group’s gone to for the prior few years as well, but it’s always a winner and was refreshed with the choices for several surrounding songs, such as the sensory-stimulating opener “Night Enchanted” (one of several non-holiday selections that deserve a show of their own).

In the meantime, Christmas reigned supreme with Trans-Siberian Orchestra annuals “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” “First Snow,” “Promises To Keep” and “This Christmas Day,” all intertwined throughout themes of hope and redemption. That spirit continued throughout favorites from beyond the “Ghosts” narrative, including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / The Three Kings & I,” “Wizards In Winter” and “Find Our Way Home,” while non-seasonal originals such as “Tracers,” “Carmina Burana” and “Madness Of Men” pointed to a band really raring to rev up and fulfilling the rock n’ roll fantasies of those needing some relief from strictly holiday tunes.

In addition to recalling various crests from its lengthy wintery catalogue, Trans-Siberian Orchestra used the look back to remember those lost along the way, especially founder and primary songwriter/producer Paul O’Neill. Despite the monumental blow to the band, he’d be proud to know those visions keep evolving and surely raise a toast to at least another twenty years.

Click here for more photos of Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Allstate Arena.

For additional information on Trans-Siberian Orchestra, visit Trans-Siberian.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation shows, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Allstate Arena include Jeff Dunham (Dec. 31); Old Dominion (Jan. 18); Panic! At The Disco (Feb. 4); Elton John (Feb. 15-16); Kelly Clarkson (Feb. 22): Disturbed (Mar. 8); Michael Bublé (Mar. 17); Eric Church (Mar. 22); Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (Mar. 29); The Original Misfits (Apr. 27); Banda MS (May 3) and New Kids On The Block (Jun. 14-15) and Shawn Mendes (Jun. 27). For additional details, visit Rosemont.com/Allstate/.

Related Articles

Trans-Siberian Orchestra juggles progressive originals and holiday rockers Colossal Christmas tunes meet hard rock originals in latest Trans-Siberian Orchestra extravaganza Symphonic rockers Trans-Siberian Orchestra pass the torch during mind-blowing bonanza Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve” Tour at Allstate Arena Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Al Pitrelli ponders gargantuan winter trek, passing of Paul O’Neill Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “Still The Orchestra Plays” Tour at Allstate Arena Allstate Arena annuals Trans-Siberian Orchestra plot 20th year of mammoth touring Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “20 Year Anniversary” Tour at Allstate Arena