Pop Break Live: Lindsey Stirling ‘Snow Waltz Tour’ at The Circus Maximums Theater at Caesar’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino
Acclaimed violinist Lindsey Stirling is a hot commodity right now. Her performance that aired earlier this week on the CMA’s Country Christmas show was nothing short of spectacular. She teamed up with Ashley McBryde on a jazzy sassy version of “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” had a stunning duet with Trisha Yearwood on “Oh Holy Night”(that brought Stirling to tears) and played a county-tinged version of “Joy to the World” that brought the house down.
Stirling also received news this week from the Women’s International Music Network that she is is being honored at the 2024 She Rocks Awards Ceremony on January 25th in California. The event recognizes women who stand out as innovators and role models in the music industry. That pretty much defines Lindsey Stirling in a nutshell.
She will be in good company with an impressive list of artists that were previously honored including: Melissa Etheridge, Lzzy Hale, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, The Go Go’s, Judy Collins, Ronnie Spector and The Bangles. Something tells me Stirling will be floating into this New Jersey venue on cloud nine and the audience will be treated to a really special performance.
Stirling is touring in support of her critically acclaimed Christmas album, Snow Waltz, released in October of 2022. She is hugely popular in this tri-state area so it was no surprise that the show was sold out. Her fans, affectionately called Stirlingites were out in force. Her holiday shows have become a family tradition for some in the same vein as the folks who see the the Trans Siberian Orchestra for their annual Christmas shows every year. There were some families and children decked out in their finest Christmas outfits.
Her latest album brought some newer songs to the setlist this year like “Magic,” “Ice Storm” and “Snow Waltz.” Stirling opened her set with “Sleigh Ride.” Her medley of “Jingle Bells/Deck the Halls/Frosty the Snowman/ It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas/Harry Potter Theme /Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer and Jingle Bell Rock” is always a fan favorite and got lots of laughs as her band mates plopped themselves down, front and center to perform. They played incredibly tiny instruments (child-sized) which included a piano, drum and a violin Stirling affectionately called Pickles. Her bandmates challenged her to play the “The Devil went Down to Georgia.” She accepted and impressed as the audience clapped along. The clapping continued with their fun Flamenco version of “Feliz Navidad.”
The visuals throughout the night were incredible as was Stirling’s chemistry with her dancers. The set was filled with cutting edge performances and amazing lighting. Her dancers were an integral part of the show and provided many laughs and many beautiful moments as well. They looked like they were having as much fun on stage as we were watching them. Apparently Stirling has mastered the whole playing the violin, while singing, dancing and performing aerial routines by making it look like a walk in the park. In between songs, there were sincere inspirational words from Stirling to the audience.
Later on in the show, she shot a tick tock video with the crowd. Some of the memorable moments were on “Ice Storm,” “You’re a Mean One Mr Grinch,” “O Holy Night” and a beautiful version of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” which highlighted her dancers who used glow balls. She saved the best for last with a stunning version of “I Wander as I Wander”(complete with angel wings) as she ascended. There was total silence for a few seconds as the crowd was taking it all in. It was an emotionally charged breathtaking moment and a fitting way to end the show. Hats off to an artist who continues to inspire us with her words, music and artistry.
