Yes Is Back!
They are the greatest progressive rock band in history (Genesis fans, put up your dukes). They’ve created some of the greatest albums of all time (The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge, 90125). They’ve had more band members than the TSO. Now, Yes are coming back to Toronto for the “Close To The Edge and Back”40th Anniversary tour. They’ll be here Sunday, July 13th. This time out the line-up will feature Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Oliver Wakeman (replacing his father Rick on keyboards).
I’ve seen Yes 10 times, and I haven’t witnessed a bum show yet. The last time the band were through town in 2004 they brought along an amazing Roger Dean designed stage set and an eclectic selection of songs from throughout their career. That being said, I am a little bummed about the top ticket price for this show though - $149! Come on guys! The band has had a hard enough time filling seats at the Amphitheatre and Air Canada Centre when their tickets were far cheaper. I hope the price doesn’t turn people off from seeing one of the greatest bands in rock history. I gurantee you’ll hear Yes classics like ”Close To The Edge”, “Roundabout”, “I’ve Seen All Good People”, and hopefully some surprises too. Tickets go on sale Monday morning at 10am.
To get you psyched, check out this clip from the 2004 tour, where Yes returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time in over a decade. It’s the second half of “And You And I” and the crowd is electric and won’t stop cheering. Take a look and then input today’s bonus code: YES
March 26th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I saw them in the early ’90’s, when they went by the band name ‘Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe’. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. And it was in the worst possible venue - the C.N.E.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Wow, I can’t believe it Andrew, as I’ve seen hundreds of concerts in my day and “YES” was the ONLY group I walked out on (in the Montreal forum.) I loved the group but their concert was SUPER loud and very heavy (like heavy metal music.) Just pure HORRIBLE!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Have you been able to talk the wife into letting you spend the big $$$$ on tickets to the concert?
March 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I saw YES at the Gardens during the Big Generator tour, and loved the show.
Having said that, the ticket prices are way out of line for a group of Yes’ stature.
Who do they think they are? The Eagles?
Anyhow, with far too many other concerts going on, it’s time folks got together by protesting these high ticket prices by not buying them. Same thing happened with Van Halen..Word got out to the promoter that their ticket prices were too high…at least they had the nads to lower the prices..
These high prices across the board are caused by these groups who followed David Bowies lead in jacking up prices, to offset the losses due to downloading their music from the likes of Napster and other online music downloading schemes..not all of us out here should have to pay for other people thinking they shouldn’t pay a dime for music downloads.
Oh well, who said life is fair? LOL
March 27th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Andrew, thanks for the memories. Maple Leaf Gardens - Concert in the Round - not a bad seat in the house. I can still picture Anderson dancing on his tiptoes at the beginning of “I’ve Seen All Good People”.
For them to be playing the Amphitheatre and charging $149+ for a ticket -no thanks. For that price I’d want to be indoors. If you go - enjoy.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I will be going, but my wife, my pal, and I are buying cheaper seats. It’s a shame, because I’ve always sat up close for one of my favourite bands. But what can you do - fiscal responsibility trumps seeing The Fish from the first 10 rows.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Would love to see them, but not at that price.
Massy Hall would be a better venue, at a lower price.