The five-piece vocal group is back on the road to celebrate the holidays
Start with a bare stage. Add five of the most pristine voices in music. No instruments, just Pentatonix singing and beatboxing their heart out.
Thirteen years into their incredible career, the band is still spreading Christmas cheer to fans young and old. Their latest winter trek, Hallelujah It’s a Christmas Tour, stopped at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia on Thursday (Nov 21st)
Scott Hoying, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kirsten Maldonado, and Mitch Grassi are in perfect harmony. Opening with a wispy “Carol of the Bells,” the group instantly put smiles on the faces in the sold-out crowd. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” showcased Olusola’s beatboxing, as he added a heft to the number that had the arena marching along.
Towards the end of the first act, Pentatonix delivered their resounding, chill-inducing “Mary Did You Know.” The classic was one of their earliest hits, and the arrangement is a signature for the band. It earned a standing ovation.
The second act kicked off with a thunderous “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and the title track from their new Netflix Christmas movie, Meet Me Next Christmas.
At this show, during a segment where a game show wheel determines what song they’ll sing, the group performed “Feliz Navidad” for the first time on this tour. Plus, they made up a song about Santa when the wheel landed on the “challenge” wedge. While the content was comical, the on-the-spot musicality showcased just how tight this group is.
Also at this show (and special to this show only) Mitch and Kirsten took the lead on the Wicked number, “What Is This Feeling?” in honor of the movie’s release this weekend. The pair loved the Broadway musical growing up and performed this song on the 20th anniversary special.
Dressed in a sparkly silver suit, Grassi’s tenor voice shined and melded with Kirsten Maldonado’s piercing voice. Scott Hoying, the baritone and emcee, adds a warm charisma to his enchanting lead vocals. Matt Sallee brings in the low end, filling out the sounds played by Olusola’s beats.
Though, it’s really hard to separate the parts from the sum. Perhaps that’s why Pentatonix is synonymous with Christmas: What they do gives that same magical feeling as the shimmering lights on a tree or Santa’s midnight ride.
