The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 25, and a month before Christmas pops up, the Don Haskins Center welcomed one of the hottest bands of the 21st century—the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Originally a metal band, TSO is known for their Christmas-themed music with a mix of rock. Only touring two months throughout the year, TSO makes their way around the nation from the beginning of November to late December.

TSO has been around since 1996 when they were founded by producer Paul O’Neill, so people from all ages were in attendance at the Don Haskins Center. Fans gathered as one to witness the very popular, and well-known orchestra band for the perfect time to cherish the holidays, with families and friends still in town.

As the arena filled, anticipation grew by the minute as attendees waited for the large red curtain to fall and unleash the show. Fans were found applauding once it finally began.

To start off the night, TSO walked their viewers through a haunted house on the background projection screen, as the buildup for the “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour became a reality.

The orchestra introduced the beginning of each song by projecting an image in the projector to make fans in the seats feel like they were inside the screen. There was a narrator emphasizing the meaning behind the band’s messages to the people in front of them. He was the storyteller throughout the whole evening, who informed the audience about a young girl that came from a broken household and how her dreams came true during the Christmas despite all her ups and downs. The metaphor played out with every new song was to believe in the magic of Christmas and their music they were displaying.

Listeners were engaged from the very start. It was one of the few parts that did not have a lot of cell phones out because the people were intrigued with what was about to happen.

On stage, there was much to be amused about as there was something different going on at every inch of the long stage. From the drummers in the back to the different themes being thrown out every minute—they all connected to the story being told.

The lasers were on point with every beat the band produced. The light show going on in every song had the people in awe as the Don was flooded with beams of lights that surrounded every corner of the building. No other show on Earth could recreate what was being made by TSO. Their ability to keep all eyes on them from just their light work was a masterpiece. The visuals were just as amazing as the magic created from the violins and instruments.

The performers were always on the move, being elevated by not only the sea of crowd, in front of them, but by the stage under them being elevated at many times—raising them to the top of the ceiling, while they sang their hearts out.

When the band stayed planted to the ground, the top of the set would move up and down to add effects for the spectators to enjoy. Walkways above the floor-seat purchasers were being transformed, as well. It was the band’s way to creep closer to the fans, and pump-up the sections, as the rock stars would run from side-to-side waving up their hands to generate noise from the people in the stands.

Fire and fog were some of the many effects for the pleasure of the cheering crowd. The elements added power to the already powerful performance being shown. On the crew’s more popular songs, a lookalike house was brought up from the middle of the court, and it would make the production come to life, with a 3-D feel.

O’Neill’s group did not fail to please every person’s satisfaction. They didn’t forget to play their hit jams, such as “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24,” “Christmas Canon,” “Wizards in the Winter,” and the many more classics they have created. The crowd was a little more active and live throughout the hits, and that’s saying a lot since the crowds’ enthusiasm was with the band for the whole two hours, including a lengthy encore to wrap things up.

Sparks of applause would echo around after every ending of a song since the fans knew the concert was nearing its end. Every seat filled wanted more, and more. The production was breathtaking and really well played out. It felt like a live musical on Broadway, along with a storybook, which transformed into a concert. It felt like something that would be seen in a movie. The legendary band, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, is a must-watch and should force their way on everyone’s bucket list.