Yes Newcastle City Hall November 20th 2009
Yes are a special band for me. The first concert I went to over 40 years ago was the Bonzo Dog Band at Sunderland Empire with Yes, Roy Harper and Mad Dog (?) support. At the time Yes were a new band who had just released their first album. Since then Yes and I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I’ve seen lots of different line-ups and lots of different tours over the years, including all of the 70s tours, the Buggles line up, Topographic Ocenas (yawn), a show at Stoke City Ground which was stopped short because of terrible rain, headlining Reading in the mid-70s when they were simply majestic and at the top of thier game, and the last UK tour an Manchester MEN arena (which was OK). Once again a new line-up is touring the UK, and Yes are back at the City Hall.
The current line-up features long timers Chris Squire (the only remaining member from the really early days), Steve Howe, Alan White, Oliver Wakeman (yes Rick has been replaced by his son) and a new singer (an’t remember his name; I need to look it up!) replacing Jon Anderson. To be honest I wasn’t sure what this was going to be like or what to expect; but hey its Yes its the City Hall and its Friday night!
I dropped a guitar off to Laura and arrived at around 7.35, took my seat and Yes take the stage about a minute later! Wow! An early start; that’ll do me ; I thought!
The set is a best-of-Yes set including some songs that I don’t think I’ve seen them do for years. If I had to write down my favourite Yes songs it would have pretty much been this. So we get Yours is No Disgrace, Astral Traveller (great; takes me back to the late 60s! and seeing them play the Time and a Word lp supporting The Nice!), Roundabout, Heart of the Sunrise (probably my favourite), Steve plays Mood for a Day, And You and I (OK, I’m back in the field in Redaing in my mind, but actually I always thought this was one was a bit over-rated), and Starship Trooper.
And they were absolutely great. The new members have brought new life into the band. The new singer is excellent, he sings faultlessly. Of course he isn’t Jon and thats sad, but actually he does a wonderful job. The older guys area clearly enjoying it, Steve plays great, and Chris is as in command of his bass, and the band as ever. It is of course, a home coming for Alan White. The crowd love it and the band get standing ovations for many of the songs, and some even run down to the front and are dancing along to Roundabout (does seem a bit strange seeing 50+ and 60+ year olds behaving like kids again, but also great; I’m not the only one reliving rock memories).
Awesome. The best concert I have been to for some time. I’m tempted to drive to Manchester tonight to see them again.
Set list:
Siberian Khatru
Your Move – I’ve Seen All Good People
Tempus Fugit
Onward
Astral Traveller
Yours Is No Disgrace
And You And I
Steve’s Solo
Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Southside Of The Sky
Machine Messiah
Heart Of The Sunrise
Roundabout
Encore:
Starship Trooper
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