UNDATED, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Many live events have been canceled this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many artists resorting to performing online livestreamed shows.
This season, that will also include holiday arena-rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), who have announced plans for their own livestreamed performance.
Wednesday, WKZO staff spoke with TSO drummer Jeff Plate about the upcoming event.
“We started touring in 1999, and the first couple years, the tours were actually quite short,” Plate said of the band history. “We were trying to do this between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, and then once it became that much more popular, the tour had to expand. But for almost the last 20 years, this is all I’ve known. From Halloween to January 1st, I’ve been on the road, so it’s a bit strange being home.”
Despite the circumstances, Plate says canceling the tour was tough.
“I can’t even say it was our decision, it was just something that was obviously impossible to make happen this year,” Plate said. “As COVID really started kicking in in the spring, I think it became obvious we were probably gonna be in trouble.”
Plate adds that the band has actually had the idea for a livestreamed show for some time, and is optimistic about it.
“The thought behind this livestream has been there for many many months, and of course, there’s a lot of planning into everything that we do, and this is no different,” Plate said. “When it was finally decided we couldn’t tour, everything was put into high gear to prepare for this livestream. I am just as curious as everybody, what this show is going to look like, and we are in very good hands. In the spirit of Paul O’Neill and what TSO has become over the last 20 years, I know the show is going to be great.”
Plate also gave a preview of what the show will contain.
“We’re performing ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’ from start to finish, and that CD was the very first TSO CD that was released, it was our most popular,” Plate said. “If you haven’t heard the CD itself or you’re familiar with some of the music, there’s definitely enough familiarity in the songs between some of the classic holiday themes and other classical music themes that are woven in to these pieces. But I think for a lot of people that have never been able to see us before, this is a great way to experience TSO and see what we’re all about.”
The show will take place on December 18 at 8 p.m. (EST time). Tickets are available for $30 via tsolivestream.com or trans-siberian.com. The tickets are good per household or stream, meaning multiple tickets do not have to be purchased under one household.
“Make a party out of it, you’re gonna have the best seat in the house,” Plate said. “Create your own concert, I think this is going to be a very unique experience.”
Ticket buyers will be able to view the show for an additional 48 hours after its initial stream.
