Yes, Manchester MEN Arena, 19-Jun-2004

The announcement the Pink Floyd have finally called it a day leaves Yes as just about the last ones standing of the big prog-rock bands from the 1970s. They've gone through so many lineup changes over the years that they've become something of a soap opera; I've lost count of how many times Rick Wakeman has left and rejoined. Fortunately he's back with them for this tour.

The sound was superb; I've never been to show at the MEN Arena before; but I've suffered bad sound in enormodomes; Wembley Arena in London was particularly horrible. But this time they got the sound balance just about right, and the twiddly bits (of which there were a great many) weren't lost in the echoes.

The band were on top form musically; especially Steve Howe. As I overheard on the tram on the way home "A bunch of granddads can show younger bands something".

The set predictably drew heavily from the band's 70s heyday, although later material wasn't neglected entirely. With such an extensive back catalogue they can't play everyone's favourites, but most of the standards were there. I won't give you a song-by-song account; the setlist seemed identical to Scott's account, except there was only time for one encore, so unfortunately we didn't get "Soon".

"Mind Drive", from 1996's "Keys to Ascension II" was just awesome. It always was the standout song from their patchy 90s' and 00s' albums; Live, this epic is close to being the high point of the show.

"South Side of the Sky" always reminds me somehow of Lovecraft's "The Mountains of Madness", and this was reinforced by the inflatable Roger Dean scenery. The thing suspended above the band looked more than bit like the plush shoggoths I've seen on sale. In fact, the whole stage set looked disturbingly cthulhoid.

The acoustic set immediately after the interval showed some interesting reworkings of older songs, and Rick Wakeman on the grand piano was especially good in this section of the show. "Roundabout" works surprising well as a Chicago blues number. Likewise "Owner of a Lonely Heart", with a wonderful piano solo replacing the original guitar solo, and dramatic piano chords replacing those cheesy 80s synths.

While I've never been a great fan of "Tales from Topographic Oceans", the percussion section of set closer "Ritual" was pretty spectacular, with Chris Squire and Jon Anderson joining Alan White on percussion accompanied by synthesised swooshes from Wakeman.

"Starship Trooper" is the only possible encore, and it didn't disappoint. Overall, a superb show, and proof that, even if recent albums have been patchy, they're very far from being a spent force live.

Posted by TimHall at June 20, 2004 03:38 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I still treasure my audio tape of Yes, Tormato :)

I've been a fan since I was introduced to Yes in the early 80s. I haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing them in concert, though.

I'll have to find a CD version of Tormato eventually!

Posted by: Doccus on June 21, 2004 04:51 AM

Sounds like you had a better show than we had at the Garden.

The ending of Ritual was pretty damned impressive, eh? I loved that bit. White is under-rated as a drummer, even by me. He made me pay attention.

I loved South Side; definitely one of the high points, as was Starship Trooper. Wakeman was glorious, as to be expected.

I'm glad you decided to go!

Posted by: Scott on June 21, 2004 01:49 PM

Amazing, isn't it? I clearly remember the first time I ever saw Yes (late 70s, Stafford Bingley Hall, Donovan supporting) thinking 'Chris Squire looks bl**dy old!" and yet here they are, still going strong. And I ain't complaining :-)

I've seen them whenever the chance has arisen since then, of course, including on the oft-maligned Yeggles tour, promoting Drama. Well I thought it was good even if nobody else did :-)

Posted by: Steve Jones on June 22, 2004 12:38 PM


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The sound was superb; I've never been to show at the MEN Arena before; but I've suffered bad sound in enormodomes; Wembley Arena in London was particularly horrible. But this time they got the sound balance just about right, and the twiddly bits (of which there were a great many) weren't lost in the echoes. The band were on top form musically; especially Steve Howe. As I overheard on the tram on the way home "A bunch of granddads can show younger bands something". The set predictably drew heavily from the band's 70s heyday, although later material wasn't neglected entirely. With such an extensive back catalogue they can't play everyone's favourites, but most of the standards were there. I won't give you a song-by-song account; the setlist seemed identical to Scott's account, except there was only time for one encore, so unfortunately we didn't get "Soon". "Mind Drive", from 1996's "Keys to Ascension II" was just awesome. It always was the standout song from their patchy 90s' and 00s' albums; Live, this epic is close to being the high point of the show. "South Side of the Sky" always reminds me somehow of Lovecraft's "The Mountains of Madness", and this was reinforced by the inflatable Roger Dean scenery. The thing suspended above the band looked more than bit like the plush shoggoths I've seen on sale. In fact, the whole stage set looked disturbingly cthulhoid. The acoustic set immediately after the interval showed some interesting reworkings of older songs, and Rick Wakeman on the grand piano was especially good in this section of the show. "Roundabout" works surprising well as a Chicago blues number. Likewise "Owner of a Lonely Heart", with a wonderful piano solo replacing the original guitar solo, and dramatic piano chords replacing those cheesy 80s synths. While I've never been a great fan of "Tales from Topographic Oceans", the percussion section of set closer "Ritual" was pretty spectacular, with Chris Squire and Jon Anderson joining Alan White on percussion accompanied by synthesised swooshes from Wakeman. "Starship Trooper" is the only possible encore, and it didn't disappoint. Overall, a superb show, and proof that, even if recent albums have been patchy, they're very far from being a spent force live. Posted by TimHall at June 20, 2004 03:38 PM \| TrackBack Comments I still treasure my audio tape of Yes, Tormato :) I've been a fan since I was introduced to Yes in the early 80s. I haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing them in concert, though. I'll have to find a CD version of Tormato eventually! D Posted by: Doccus on June 21, 2004 04:51 AM Sounds like you had a better show than we had at the Garden. The ending of Ritual was pretty damned impressive, eh? I loved that bit. White is under-rated as a drummer, even by me. He made me pay attention. I loved South Side; definitely one of the high points, as was Starship Trooper. Wakeman was glorious, as to be expected. I'm glad you decided to go! Posted by: Scott on June 21, 2004 01:49 PM Amazing, isn't it? I clearly remember the first time I ever saw Yes (late 70s, Stafford Bingley Hall, Donovan supporting) thinking 'Chris Squire looks bl**dy old!" and yet here they are, still going strong. And I ain't complaining :-) I've seen them whenever the chance has arisen since then, of course, including on the oft-maligned Yeggles tour, promoting Drama. Well I thought it was good even if nobody else did :-) Posted by: Steve Jones on June 22, 2004 12:38 PM Post a comment Name: Email Address: URL: Comments: Remember info?	Links of the day 10 Most Overrated Albums From BBC 6 Music. Coldplay! The Smiths! Oasis! Pete Knobhead Docherty! Who am I to disagree? More Ghost Reveries The Ministry of Information has another review of Opeth's new album. 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