Concert Review
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
First Niagara Center
Buffalo, NY
Sunday December 20, 2915
Afternoon Show
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Other than some Christmas lights and a few chilly nights, winter has taken a vacation from the Queen City so far this year. It has left many wondering will we have that rare green Christmas once and for all? Sunday afternoon to help remind one that this is December, less than a week from Christmas as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra set up shop inside the First Niagara Center for a pair of shows.
The band’s annual trek into town featured “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” which was featured during the band’s first set, this time around. The band also played some of their best known songs along with a few cuts from their newest album Letter From Labyrinth during their second set.
Guitarist Chris Caffery who has been a part of the band since its first tour, acted as an emcee as he introduced the vocalists and band members during the show. Caffery of course is a longtime member of the band Savatage from which the whole Trans-Siberian Orchestra project originated out of.
For the first year Savatage singer Zak Stevens has joined the band. Stevens of course first sang on Savatage’s 1993 release Edge Of Thorns when he replaced original lead singer Jon Oliva.
Some of the members have been touring with this east coast version for many years. Take David Z. for example. He started touring with the band in 2000 took a few years off when he was concentrating on his Brooklyn based band Z02 and has been a mainstay ever since his return in 2010.
Vocalist Kayla Reeves was given the spotlight on back to back songs during the second set. “Not The Same” a delicate ballad was where the crowd got a good idea how tender of a voice she has. She followed up with “The Night Conceives” which was a fast paced all out rocker, exactly the opposite of “Not The Same”. The bottom line is that gal can sing.
Along with the stellar musicians and vocalists, this years Trans-Siberian Orchestra gave the fans their usual array of lasers, pyro and other special effects to enhance the show. Moving trusses had musicians flying in the air at times as the big video screen in the rear of the stage showed images that corresponded with the music.
The spectacle that is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra delivered as it always does. This year’s show helped to remind everyone that the holiday season is upon us even if the weather is not its normal self. Happy holidays to all.
Set 1 Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Time and Distance (The Dash)
Winter Palace
The Lost Christmas Eve
O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night
Good King Joy
Christmas Dreams
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
Christmas Canon Rock
What Child Is This?
Music Box Blues
First Snow
Promises to Keep
This Christmas Day
singer introductions
Set 2
Wizards in Winter
A Mad Russian’s Christmas
For the Sake of Our Brother
Christmas Nights in Blue
Christmas Jam
Band member introductions
Madness of Men
The Mountain
Forget About the Blame
Not the Same
The Night Conceives
Find Our Way Home
Requiem (The Fifth)
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Reprise)
TSO East 2015 Line Up
Chris Caffery – Guitar
Bill Hudson – Guitar
Derek Wieland – Keyboards, music director
Mee Eun Kim – Keyboards
David Z – Bass
Jeff Plate – Drums
Roddy Chong – Violin
Bryan Hicks – Narrator
Zachary “Zak” Stevens – Vocals
Russell Allen – Vocals
Robin Borneman – Vocals
Dustin Brayley – Vocals
Rob Evan – Vocals
Autumn Guzzardi – Vocals
Lisa Lavie – Vocals
Georgia Napolitano – Vocals
Natalya Rose – Vocals
Kayla Reeves – Vocals
