Trans-Siberian Orchestra • November 20, 2024 • Delta Center
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos by Jason McEachern
Do you ever wonder how traditions start? Is it something you’ve done for a few years and haven’t noticed, then once you have you decide that you’ll be doing it from then on? Or maybe it’s something that was happening long before you arrived and you are continuing. Many of my traditions started unintentionally. For example, I covered the Trans-Siberian Orchestra back in 2018. Little did I know that I would be returning to the Delta Center every year since, to review this band in late November. It’s a tradition I did not expect but have embraced.
At this point, it doesn’t feel like the Holiday Season can begin without the Trans-Siberian Orchestra coming to town. On Wednesday, November 20 the progressive metal band made their annual visit to the Delta Center performing two shows in one day. I attended the 3 PM concert. Once again, the Holidays in Utah commenced with Rock Music blended with Holiday Music and featuring some of the best lights, lasers, and pyrotechnics you’ll ever see.
As this tradition goes, it feels right to see the signs on the doors as I walked into the Delta Center, warning us that there would be lasers and pyrotechnics. I’m even starting to recognize familiar faces in the crowd. DJs from local radio stations that attend every year. Delta Center staff who I know are as excited as anyone to get to see not one, but two performances of TSO.
The familiarity in the audience is nothing like seeing the familiar faces of the members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Of course, what would a TSO be without guitarist and Trans-Siberian Orchestra ring leader, Al Pitrelli on that stage? Pitrelli has carried on the legacy of the band started by the late Paul O’Neil. Al Pitrelli who is also known for his work with Alice Cooper and Megadeath, is always a gracious host. He thanked the devoted Utah crowd and recognized how special it was to play here. Al shared that he mentioned to a new member of the band Daniel, Evan, just how great it was to play Utah. He said ever since rehearsals he’s been telling him that it’s the loudest city to play in the United States. The afternoon crowd was in full force and loved the show.
The show ran for over two hours, featuring a myriad of extremely talented vocalists. Singers ranging from newcomer, Lorea Turner to crowd favorite year in and year out, Chloe Lowry. The men are no slouches either. It’s always great to see and hear former Journey frontman and 30 member of TSO, Jeff Scott Soto. He does a great job of getting people on their feet. And of course, who could forget Phillip Brandon? Brandon’s buttery baritone voice narrated the story of the “Lost Christmas Eve”. Which was making its return to the tour. Whenever Philip was talking I would look around the arena. He had people captivated.
The production of a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert is inane. The fact that they do this twice in one day blows my mind. They’ve thought of everything. TSO sign in flames? Check. An enormous snow globe rises above the audience as vocalist, April Berry hits the high notes of a Mozart Opera? Check. Too many lasers to count? Check. So many pyrotechnics that you can feel the heat from the stage? Double check! This show has it all. It’s hard rock, yet it has a story and totally brings in the Christmas spirit.
Al Pitrelli checks with the audience every year who’s a first timer and who are his “repeat offenders”. I love seeing how many people come back year after year. It’s a show that to a certain degree shouldn’t make a ton of sense. But it totally works and is quite entertaining. 1.5 billion streams and playing live to over 19 million people since 1999 can’t be wrong. The good news is now that Trans-Siberian Orchestra was here, Christmas in Utah can officially begin!
What a great show. It get better every year