REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Yes
The Classic Tales Tour 2024
Cliffs Pavilion- Southend
May 29 2024
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Yes
The Classic Tales Tour 2024
Cliffs Pavilion- Southend
May 29 2024
Still rocking after all these years
The Band Yes is back rocking it for the Classic Tales Tour that everyone has been waiting for after it was postponed due to Covid. The Progressive Rock Band, Yes have been performing since the sixties with many line-up changes and are regarded as Progressive Rock pioneers. As such, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Currently, the line-up consists of Steve Howe, who joined the band in 1969, Geoff Downes, on keyboards, Jon Davison, lead vocalist for over a ten years, Billy Sherwood on bass and Jay Schellen on drums, who replaced Alan White, and Chris Squire who have sadly passed away.
The set opened with a rousing Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten, as the band arrived on stage. Immediately, the packed audience erupted, and the musicians launched into Machine Messiah from the 80’s Drama album. Steve Howe, despite looking older and greyer, showed he could still play a mean guitar. Meanwhile the keyboards of Geoff Downes whipped along. It Will Be A Good Day (The River) followed, keeping the buzz going.
When Steve announced they were playing a song from the Yes album there was palpable excitement. That is what the audience had come to hear, taking them back down memory lane when it was all ‘Peace and Love, Man!’ The songs from that period are really from concept albums with great imagery and stream of consciousness gentle lyrics. The style became heavier as the years rolled on.
When the band then launched into another crowd favourite, See All Good People, everyone sang along with frontman Jon Davison as his vocals soared.
Time And A Word took us back to 1969, and it was followed by a few words from Steve about how we are destroying the planet. This led into Don’t Kill The Whale. The first half of the evening ending with the acoustic Turn of the Century with Steve and Jon on stage quietly playing until it built to a dramatic climax.
Steve demonstrated his guitar playing skills throughout, with various instruments presented to him on stage that were picked up and played through the set pieces. There was some great acoustic guitar playing, particularly on Leaves of Green with a flamenco feel. Additionally, some funky, deep bass from Billy Sherwood with a heavy drum beat from Jay Schellen, throughout.
The second half began with the atmospheric South Side of the Sky, from the Fragile album, which demonstrated Geoff’s dramatic keyboard skills.
As this is a classic tour with music from their 50-year plus iconic songbook, obviously, the show included songs from various past albums. However, there was also a nod to their latest album Mirror To The Sky, with the song Cut to the Stars.
The show ended with a twenty minute piece from the 70s album, Tales Of Topographic Oceans covering The Revealing Science Of God’ to Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) with great playing by Geoff Downes on keyboards, and acoustic from Steve. This set was a highlight of the evening and the band left the stage to cheers and a standing ovation. They then returned to round off the performance with an encore of Roundabout, much waited for by the fans, and Starship Trouper, with everyone singing along until a final nod to the Beatles with I Feel Fine.
Although, members of the band that are no longer a part of it originally recorded many of the iconic songs, this line-up showed they were as good as ever. What is more they are still making records and touring to sell out audiences. This show is a Progressive Rock feast of a style of music that fans of the genre will not want to miss.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The UK tour continues:-
Friday May 31 2024
Beacon Bristol
Saturday 1 June 2024,
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
(Show rescheduled from 2023, all tickets remain valid).
Sunday 2 June 2024
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly known as The Sage)
Gateshead
(Show rescheduled from 2023, all tickets remain valid.)
Tuesday 4 June 2024
Royal Albert Hall
London
Currently, the line-up consists of Steve Howe, who joined the band in 1969, Geoff Downes, on keyboards, Jon Davison, lead vocalist for over a ten years, Billy Sherwood on bass and Jay Schellen on drums, who replaced Alan White, and Chris Squire who have sadly passed away.
The set opened with a rousing Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten, as the band arrived on stage. Immediately, the packed audience erupted, and the musicians launched into Machine Messiah from the 80’s Drama album. Steve Howe, despite looking older and greyer, showed he could still play a mean guitar. Meanwhile the keyboards of Geoff Downes whipped along. It Will Be A Good Day (The River) followed, keeping the buzz going.
When Steve announced they were playing a song from the Yes album there was palpable excitement. That is what the audience had come to hear, taking them back down memory lane when it was all ‘Peace and Love, Man!’ The songs from that period are really from concept albums with great imagery and stream of consciousness gentle lyrics. The style became heavier as the years rolled on.
When the band then launched into another crowd favourite, See All Good People, everyone sang along with frontman Jon Davison as his vocals soared.
Time And A Word took us back to 1969, and it was followed by a few words from Steve about how we are destroying the planet. This led into Don’t Kill The Whale. The first half of the evening ending with the acoustic Turn of the Century with Steve and Jon on stage quietly playing until it built to a dramatic climax.
Steve demonstrated his guitar playing skills throughout, with various instruments presented to him on stage that were picked up and played through the set pieces. There was some great acoustic guitar playing, particularly on Leaves of Green with a flamenco feel. Additionally, some funky, deep bass from Billy Sherwood with a heavy drum beat from Jay Schellen, throughout.
The second half began with the atmospheric South Side of the Sky, from the Fragile album, which demonstrated Geoff’s dramatic keyboard skills.
As this is a classic tour with music from their 50-year plus iconic songbook, obviously, the show included songs from various past albums. However, there was also a nod to their latest album Mirror To The Sky, with the song Cut to the Stars.
The show ended with a twenty minute piece from the 70s album, Tales Of Topographic Oceans covering The Revealing Science Of God’ to Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) with great playing by Geoff Downes on keyboards, and acoustic from Steve. This set was a highlight of the evening and the band left the stage to cheers and a standing ovation. They then returned to round off the performance with an encore of Roundabout, much waited for by the fans, and Starship Trouper, with everyone singing along until a final nod to the Beatles with I Feel Fine.
Although, members of the band that are no longer a part of it originally recorded many of the iconic songs, this line-up showed they were as good as ever. What is more they are still making records and touring to sell out audiences. This show is a Progressive Rock feast of a style of music that fans of the genre will not want to miss.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The UK tour continues:-
Friday May 31 2024
Beacon Bristol
Saturday 1 June 2024,
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
(Show rescheduled from 2023, all tickets remain valid).
Sunday 2 June 2024
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly known as The Sage)
Gateshead
(Show rescheduled from 2023, all tickets remain valid.)
Tuesday 4 June 2024
Royal Albert Hall
London
Photo Credits: Kim Tobin Photography
THE CLASSIC TALES OF
YES
UK TOUR 2024
29th May 2024
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Following their recent acclaimed tour in the USA, progressive legends YES are set to return to UK stages in May and June.
YES
UK TOUR 2024
29th May 2024
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Following their recent acclaimed tour in the USA, progressive legends YES are set to return to UK stages in May and June.
Hot on the heels of their hugely successful Classic Tales Of Yes’ American Tour, Progressive Rock legends, YES, are poised to hit the road in the UK once more on a 9-date trek across the country starting on 23rd May at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and ending in London on 4th June at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, a fitting end for such a majestic band.
The Classic Tales Of Yes Tour will see YES mining their rich catalogue to deliver a career spanning set of classics, rarely played vintage cuts and new songs from 1970s Time and a Word right up to Mirror To The Sky, their 23rd album released last year, together with a special section celebrating the 50th anniversary of their momentous Tales From The Topographic Oceans opus.
Every show will feature a Roger Dean gallery in the venues foyer area. Dean's masterful artwork of striking other-worldly landscapes has graced classic album covers and posters. He has sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His artwork appears on the cover of the current YES album Mirror To The Sky. Roger is planning to be at each show on the tour, to meet with fans.
Steve Howe, whose association with Yes began in 1970, along with Geoff Downes, a member of the 1980 Drama era line-up are joined by Jon Davison, lead vocalist in Yes for well over a decade now; Billy Sherwood on bass, hand-picked by original bassist Chris Squire and Jay Schellen, who worked closely with Alan White, on drums completing the line-up.
YES are very much looking forward to playing in Europe and the UK during April, May and June this year. It's been a while since we toured here and we've really missed you all. says Steve Howe
Geoff Downes goes on to say: We're very much looking forward to bringing the Classic Tales of YES Tour to the UK and Europe. It promises to be one of our most interesting sets to date, scanning through much of YES’s history and with some previously unheard pieces together with music from out latest album, ‘Mirror To The Sky. As always, we're committed to pushing new boundaries and are very excited to be performing another chapter in the rich legacy of the band."
Jon D. here, My band mates and I are very pleased and excited to bring to the UK and parts of the EU our current set of classic Yes music which, covering the rich spectrum of Yestory, delighted US fans last fall. We’ll be performing many song favourites but also adding rarities, some of which haven't been performed in decades! Let's all join together in May, band and audience alike, in celebrating what's best about Yes music. See you there!”
Very much looking forward to playing all this wonderful YES music across Europe and the UK. It's an interesting set of music and one that spans the many decades of the bands unique and rich history, continues Billy Sherwood
Jay Schellen says: “I'm very excited and looking forward to performing our 2024 Classic Tales Of YES tour in the UK. This collection of songs is unique in many ways. A classic YES show, thrilling and dynamic! I'm sure our fans will be excited and pleased as well!”
The Classic Tales Of Yes Tour will see YES mining their rich catalogue to deliver a career spanning set of classics, rarely played vintage cuts and new songs from 1970s Time and a Word right up to Mirror To The Sky, their 23rd album released last year, together with a special section celebrating the 50th anniversary of their momentous Tales From The Topographic Oceans opus.
Every show will feature a Roger Dean gallery in the venues foyer area. Dean's masterful artwork of striking other-worldly landscapes has graced classic album covers and posters. He has sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide. His artwork appears on the cover of the current YES album Mirror To The Sky. Roger is planning to be at each show on the tour, to meet with fans.
Steve Howe, whose association with Yes began in 1970, along with Geoff Downes, a member of the 1980 Drama era line-up are joined by Jon Davison, lead vocalist in Yes for well over a decade now; Billy Sherwood on bass, hand-picked by original bassist Chris Squire and Jay Schellen, who worked closely with Alan White, on drums completing the line-up.
YES are very much looking forward to playing in Europe and the UK during April, May and June this year. It's been a while since we toured here and we've really missed you all. says Steve Howe
Geoff Downes goes on to say: We're very much looking forward to bringing the Classic Tales of YES Tour to the UK and Europe. It promises to be one of our most interesting sets to date, scanning through much of YES’s history and with some previously unheard pieces together with music from out latest album, ‘Mirror To The Sky. As always, we're committed to pushing new boundaries and are very excited to be performing another chapter in the rich legacy of the band."
Jon D. here, My band mates and I are very pleased and excited to bring to the UK and parts of the EU our current set of classic Yes music which, covering the rich spectrum of Yestory, delighted US fans last fall. We’ll be performing many song favourites but also adding rarities, some of which haven't been performed in decades! Let's all join together in May, band and audience alike, in celebrating what's best about Yes music. See you there!”
Very much looking forward to playing all this wonderful YES music across Europe and the UK. It's an interesting set of music and one that spans the many decades of the bands unique and rich history, continues Billy Sherwood
Jay Schellen says: “I'm very excited and looking forward to performing our 2024 Classic Tales Of YES tour in the UK. This collection of songs is unique in many ways. A classic YES show, thrilling and dynamic! I'm sure our fans will be excited and pleased as well!”
Photo Credit: Gottlieb Bros
The Classic Tales of YES UK Tour Dates 2024
Thursday 23 May Manchester Bridgewater Hall*
Friday 24 May Glasgow Royal Concert Hall*
Sunday 26 May Liverpool Philharmonic Hall*
Tuesday 28 May York Barbican*
Wednesday 29 May Southend Cliffs Pavilion*
Friday 31May Bristol Beacon
Saturday 1 June Birmingham Symphony Hall*
Sunday 2 June Gateshead The Glasshouse (formerly The Sage*)
Tuesday 4 June London Royal Albert Hall
*UK Shows rescheduled from 2023, all tickets remain valid.
Buy UK and European tickets from https://www.yesworld.com/live/
and UK tickets https://bookingsdirect.seetickets.com/tour/yes/
What The Media Said About The Yes USA Tour
“It was fantastic to see the band dig deep and play selections such as ‘It Will Be A Good Day (The River)’, a song not played live since 2000. What tale can be complete without digging up ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’. The band did a condensed reimagined version which ended the main set with a thunderous ovation. Consider it a treat that YES still exists in 2023.”
Joseph Suto, ROCK SHOW CRITIQUE
“This show is bound to please and have something for everyone. Everyone together produces a sound that is almost indistinguishable from the earlier incarnations. The only real difference is the improvement of technology and better fidelity. If you have enjoyed Yes in the past, you will enjoy this show and if you have never seen them, there is no better time than now.”
Kim Hansen, GHOST CULT MAG
About YES
Steve Howe: guitars, backing vocals (1970 –1981, 1990–1992, 1995–present)
Geoff Downes: keyboards (1980–1981, 2011–present)
Jon Davison: lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2012–present)
Billy Sherwood: guitar, backing vocals ((1994, 1997–2000), bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
Jay Schellen: drums and percussion (2016-present)
Formed in 1968 by Jon Anderson and the late, and much-missed, Chris Squire, YES have been one of the most innovative, influential and best-loved bands in rock music history. Their 1970s albums The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge, Yessongs (a triple live album set), Tales From Topographic Oceans, Relayer and Going For The One were ground-breaking in musical style and content. Their music also became synonymous with artist Roger Dean whose distinctive YES logo design and artwork adorned the lavish gatefold presentation sleeves of many YES albums.
With sales of over 50 million records, the Grammy-award winning YES were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 where they performed Roundabout from the album Fragile and the FM radio-friendly Owner Of A Lonely Heart from the 1985 album 90125.
YES released their 22nd studio album in 2021, The Quest, produced by Steve Howe and which went to No. 1 in the UK Rock Albums Chart and entered the Official UK Album Chart at No. 20.
In 2022 came the sad news that drummer Alan White, ever-present in the YES line-up for 50 years, had passed away. The news came shortly before the band embarked on their classic, genre-defining album Close To The Edge 50th Anniversary Tour, which he was intending to be a part of until ill-health determined otherwise. The tour was dedicated to Alan.
In February 2023, ahead of the news of the new studio album Mirror To The Sky, YES confirmed Jay Schellen as the new permanent drummer with YES, hand-picked to step into his mentor and friend Alan White’s role. “I had done the 2016 tour on my own for Alan,” says Jay. “From late 2017 onwards, we had a beautiful partnership. I learned and discovered so much about Alan’s style. His passion and creativity was phenomenal. The new album has Alan’s presence all over it. It is inside of us. So, this is still, in my heart, Alan just being present and with us, and with me, in a big way.”
Mirror To The Sky, YES 23rd studio album, was released on 19 May 2023 to universally positive reviews in the music press. ‘Mirror to the Sky is very much a band album, where all five members... have been at the top of their game, stated The Progressive Aspect. ‘YES will continue to have a role to play in shaping the future sounds of prog.’
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