After the Trans Siberian Orchestra's 20th annual, non-stop 3-hour rock performance was over, I was blown away. Although it was a three-hour concert, there was never a dull moment in the whole show. Between the lasers and special effects throughout the 26 songs they played that night, The flames and fire on some songs that were burning so brightly I could feel it on my face, and the members of the band playing their instruments up high and in the crowd, I was entertained the entire night. No matter where you sat in the sold-out crowd of the Wells Fargo Center, you were able to catch a glimpse of the action. There were guitarists playing right by the audience for the crowds that had end seats in the 100 level, The TSO logo covered in fire floating up and down, as well as other musicians such as Roddy Chong, the electric violinist playing up high for the fans that bought seats farther away from the stage. You could tell that all the members of the band were having a great time playing by their great energy and persona on stage, which made the concert extra enjoyable. After the concert was over, I had more Christmas spirit inside of me than ever before.

The band started their first mini-set with the mysterious rock song Night Enchanted, followed by Winter Palace, and Ended With The Lost Christmas Eve. Throughout this set, a cannon shooting out snow started to fall on our heads, which made Winter Palace and Lost Christmas Eve feel more real and made me hope of a White Christmas this year and the years throughout.

The second set was titled The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, which consisted of ten songs from their hit album titled of the same name. After the bands' rock version of O Come, All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night was finished, the lasers and special effects were off, the drumset podium floated up, and the and the lights turned off for a brief moment. When they were turned back on, the stage turned into a ticket booth, and there was an actual door that looked like it hadn't been there before where TSO's narrator, Bryan Hicks walked through. Through each song, this bright scene appeared and Bryan told us stories that interweaved each song in the set. We later find out that Bryan is the Ghost of Christmas Eve. Some of the songs to get you into the holiday spirit included Christmas Dreams, Christmas Cannon Rock, their hit song Christmas Eve/Sarajevo which had everyone on their feet, and Music Box Blues (one of my favorites from the band.) After this set, the audience gave a standing ovation to Brian Hicks and Chris Caffery introduced the band. The orchestra that accompanied the band was from our city of Philadelphia, and Chris explained that there is a local orchestra that accompanies them from wherever city they are performing in.

The band continued into their final set with the same energy, playing songs such as the fast-paced Wizards in Winter, the Pink Floyd cover Shine on you Crazy Diamond (both which got the crowd on their feet), The Dark Madness of Men, Someday featuring a chilling and beautiful solo by Kayla Reeves, and their finale, A reprise of Christmas Eve/Sarajevo that was played earlier for fans to rock out to the song one last time until next year.

When the Trans Siberian Orchestra makes its annual stop to your city, Seeing them live is a must-see to add to your annual holiday traditions.