Lindsey Stirling is a violinist extraordinaire whose shows, like her instrument, are electric. Born in Santa Ana, California, and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, she earned acclaim at age 23 as a quarterfinalist on “America’s Got Talent” in 2010. Her song “Crystalize” — the eighth most-watched video on YouTube in 2012 — launched her mainstream career, and her live shows are an explosive mix of blazing violin solos, intricately choreographed dance routines, vibrant costume designs, and contortionist-style gymnastics. The “Snow Waltz” tour combines theatrics with re-envisioned arrangements of holiday classics, tastefully blended with her own original compositions. Plus, all 45 outfits used in the “Snow Waltz” tour are designed by Stirling herself.
One of Stirling’s next tour stops is Dec. 18 in Evansville, her second consecutive December performance in the River City. Last year, the “Snow Waltz” tour played at the 2,500-seat Aiken Theatre; this year, it moves to Ford Center’s 11,000-seat arena. Evansville Living Magazine caught up with Stirling on Dec. 12 during a tour stop in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Art Woodward: How did the idea of doing a Christmas show come about?
Lindsey Stirling: I’ve always loved the holidays. It’s such a magical time. And those songs always made it feel like Christmas to me. Now, I get to be a part of creating that nostalgia and those moments for people and families. When they go home and listen to the songs, perhaps they’ll remember, “This is where she went up on her hoop,” or “This is when the confetti came out.”
AW: In 2017, you launched your first winter tour, “Warmer in the Winter,” and every year since, you have continued that winter tradition. Yet, during the warmer months, you tour under many different themes.
LS: Yeah, I do like to switch up my tours, and I will say that this year has been pretty wild. We’ve done a lot of different types of touring, from a symphony tour, to one where we spun my music on its head for a rock show. We did more of my traditional type tours, some EDM style … Now it’s our Christmas show. I just love it. It’s my tradition now; I can’t imagine it being the holidays without doing it.
AW: What can we expect this time with “Snow Waltz” that is different from last year? And what can we look forward to experiencing again?
LS: We made quite a few changes. I was like, “What are we going to do this year that makes it new?” So, we added new costumes, I switched up my aerial routine, and even learned a new skill. I’ve been doing a hoop act on tour for years now, but I learned the double hoop, so me and one of the dancers go on the same hoop. It’s really fun to see people be kind of shocked about that. And we’ve added new numbers, plus a new comedy bit to the show. Even though it is a lot of the same music, we always switch it up for those who come every year. I know there are a lot of people who have made this a tradition, and I want them to be surprised. I really do like to keep it fresh.
AW: I can’t wait until you and your crew roll into town.
LS: Yes. I think we have three buses and three trucks now. [laughs]
AW: That’s a lot of equipment and personnel!
LS: This is my version of what Christmas feels like: to go on a bus, be with my favorite people, and travel the world to do shows.
Lindsey Stirling By The Numbers
• 1 million concert tickets sold
• 1.5 million albums sold
• 3.87 billion On-Demand streams
• 1 certified gold album and 1 certified platinum album in the U.S., with 3 gold and 2 platinum certified singles
• 4 Billboard chart-topping albums
• 2 Billboard Music Awards
• 30 million followers across all social media platforms
• Nearly 4 billion views on YouTube
Art Woodward, also known as Art the Dude, is a writer and lifelong lover of music — skill sets that serve him well when reviewing Evansville’s concert and events scene.
