Simon Barrow

Wednesday, September 9, 2015 10:28 AM

On from Manchester to the City Hall in Newcastle, which has a really good acoustic from the front stalls. A number of people I heard before the show were commenting that this was the first time they had seen Yes in a ‘smaller venue’, albeit one that can seat a couple of thousand and seemed virtually full tonight. For me it provides a good balance between intensity and sound quality.

Again, the set did not change, apart from Steve Howe choosing to play ‘Classical Gas’ before ‘Clap’, and then ‘Masquerade’ from the Union album. I enjoyed all three very much. It was particularly interesting to hear Mason Williams’ ‘Classical Gas’. Steve adapted the solo arrangement made famous by his hero Chet Atkins on the Street Dreams album. There is certainly a family likeness with ‘Clap’, and this was the first time I had heard the famous tune live.

The other particular highlight of the evening (apart from ‘Revealing Science of God’, which will always be special for me) was ‘And You and I’. The instrumental section in the middle was especially powerful, with Chris Squire’s bass pedals (perhaps amplified by keyboards?) shaking the floor.

Reviewing the gig for The Journal the next day, Dick Godfrey praised the band, noted rightly that Igor Khoroshev is “imbued with the Yes spirit”, and added a personal comment: “I am moved to retrieve my Yes albums from the attic.” An ensemble in fine and persuasive form, indeed.

justin norman

I remember nervously travelling up all the way to newcastle on my own from south wales to see this show on a train. I had booked to see this show prior to additional uk dates being advertised. I couldn't believe it when Cardiff was later announced. (20 miles from where i live instead of the 300 or so miles to newcastle) Oh well, thats life. But this show was awesome. It was great to see the boys back in the uk after so long. The Union tour being their last tour visit 7yrs earlier. Also seeing them perform in an intimate venue and getting a good view of the band was just fab. I had booked in at a hotel called the county thistle just opposite the railway station for the night which was a 15min walk to the venue. I did panic a little when i couldn't find city hall and even had to ring up my girlfriend to ask her where it was. She had been to the venue the previous year to take her daughter to see teeny boppers, PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec). Anyway, i found the venue and i remember hearing the band performing siberean khatru at their soundcheck through the outside locked doors. That was around tea time. I excitedly raced back to the hotel and got myself ready for what was to be a brilliant show that friday night. The next morning i was back on my train going back home. Loads of travelling for such little time their but it was well worth it.
I did manage to get Cardiff tickets to see them again later on this tour and also meeting the band for the very first time, seeing them soundcheck and getting Squire to autograph my Limited edition CS Rickenbacker bass certificate. But that is another story......

Rob Kemp

Yes played Newcastle City Hall last night for the first time in 18 years and received a great reception from an almost full house. Standing ovations were given for a number of songs which genuinely.

Siberian Khatru
what a start and were did Steve find that new solo at the end - seems very different from the LA show

Rhythm Of Love
This was excellent and with Steves solos this is fast becoming a Yes classic in my view - brilliant

Open Your Eyes
Well played seemed more together and dynamic

And You And I
Possibly track of the night and a standing ovation that stopped the show for a number of minutes. The power of Alan's drumming during the orchestral section was breathtaking

Igor solo
At about 4 minutes this was excellent and showed what he is capable of. He almost seemed embarrassed by the audience reaction at the end.

Long Distance Runaround
The Fish inc,. Tempus Fugit, Ritual drum solo, Sound Chaser
Here's a suggestion - why don't they end the Fish by developing Alan's solo into the last five minutes of Ritual as a full band version, as it is Igor just plays the final four chords from the percus

The Revealing Science Of God
Well after 24 years I have finally seen live the one of the best tracks ever written. It got a standing ovation and Jon was particularly moved at the end.

Hope this makes sense - I am still on a high - On to Glasgow

Topografix

I was very nicely surprised by the keyboard talents of Igor, as I was wondering whether he would be able to manage some of the more complicated Rick Parts but he pulled them off very nicely indeed.......It seems he is obviously of a classical background, the same as Rick. The concert itself was nothing short of fantastic.....but then, nothing more than I was expecting from a band as technically proficient as YES. Jon's vocals just carried you away. Highlight of the set for me was The Revealing........absolutely marvelous......brought tears to my eyes!!

Neil Goodwin

First i would like to say that i have never witnessed musicians enjoying themselves so much a i did at the city hall last night. Clearly the band are free spirited again free from all the hassles that have dogged them over the years.

From the opening notes of firebird suite,the amazing rendition of america and the mindblowing RsoG, i have come back home to cumbria in a state of wonder at the energy the band showed on stage. Ok there were a couple of minor technical hitches, but so what The set was simply outstanding. It would be unfair to single out any individual but my assessment of their performances are as follows.

Jon- his voice as clear as ever showing the wonderful range of notes he can hit effortlessly Chris Absolutely off his rocker,clearly when he is smiling and enjoying being on stage, this is relay through his Bass playing.he teased the crowd at every available opportunity (a joy to watch)

Steve- Again he was enjoying himself immensly (i recall that he was very tense in his playing when i saw him at whitehave on the Not Necc Acoustic tour) Some superb moments ( and you and i stands out)

Igor. what a keyboard player, his solo pieces on Heart of the sunrise could almost have been wakeman. he does have his own style though, clearly based on the yes music. It must be an absolute thrill for him to play on stage with his heroes. (he played rsog as an audition piece for the band)

Alan. God did he give the drums some stick. powerful performance which again proves that he is one of the best prog rock drummers around.

Billy. Did not do enough for me although played the leads on OOALH brilliantly.

A magic evening of music i was disappointed that adam did not do the encore as he was at the venue.

I am now looking forward to liverpool on april 19th. To all of you yet to see them, DON'T BLINK you will miss the show

Robert Kemp

Just returned from a superb concert in Newcastle - the band were in great form and clearly enjoyed themselves with a very powerful performance. They got a great reception from an almost full house and the band responded with a brilliant 2 3/4 hour performance. Igor in particular was a star performer, the band should waste no more time and make him a full time member. Highlight of the show were Siberian Khatru, Rhythm of Love, And You & I, RSoG and Starship Trooper......but then again there were no weak moments.