David Watkinson

Monday, April 16, 2018 11:35 AM

Yes Music Podcast #328 - #YES50 Fan Convention

[Link]

David Watkinson

Monday, April 16, 2018 10:35 AM

YES 50th Anniversary Weekend Official Celebrations

YES, London, UK Fan Convention Day, 25th March 2018 #YES50

To celebrate YES’s 50th anniversary year in 2018, a special fan day and other events have been arranged to coincide with the London tour dates of 24th & 25th March. Devised by YES fans for YES fans, the weekend’s Fan Convention Day will be on the afternoon of March 25th, 2018, at the London Palladium in England, UK, the final date of the UK tour.

This will be the very first time such an official event has been held in the UK. A half century is worth celebrating, so on the special Sunday, YES fans from around the world can immerse themselves in all things YES in the centre of London, where it all began for the band back in 1968.

With events happening all weekend, the Sunday will consist of official YES Merchandise and Roger Dean along with Trading Boundaries. A specially created historic YES bus tour of YES sites will be run over the weekend along with a display of YES memorabilia covering their 50 years. YES alumni are scheduled to appear along with two UK YES tribute bands. There will be a limited number of tickets available. Therefore, we advise you to book early for this special YES celebration day.    

YES Fan Convention Weekend Itinerary: -

Friday March 23rd 2018

· 8.30am – 12.45pm. YES 50th Anniversary Tour (Tor) of London. YES history comes alive for three mornings over the weekend. For the very first and only time, a bus tour has been created visiting historically important YES sites around the centre of London. These unique morning tours will cost  £35.00. All weekend there will be VERY LIMITED NUMBERS AVAILABLE, please book early.
(Tour devised by David Watkinson)

· In the afternoon and evening, it is expected that there will be impromptu meetings of YES fans following the bus tour.

Saturday March 24th 2018

• 8.30am – 12.45pm. YES 50th Anniversary Tour (Tor) of London  

• (Limited Numbers Available)         
• Saturday afternoon and early evening, it is expected that there will be impromptu meetings of YES fans following the bus tour.

• YES Memorabilia display, at the London Palladium in the evening (Curated by David Watkinson)

• A special guest will introduce YES at the concert (Bill Bruford)

• YES concert in the evening, ticket links at [Link]

Sunday March 25th 2018                         

8.30am – 12.45pm. YES 50th Anniversary Tour (Tor) of London. (Limited Numbers Available)

 OFFICIAL YES FAN CONVENTION DAY

The London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF.

1pm – 5pm This unique event is priced at £30.00 PLUS booking fees

*Yes fans who bought the Meet and Greet packages for Saturday / Sunday will get free entry to the Sunday fan event*.

Sponsored by Prog Magazine UK                                                                            Personal Appearance by Prog editor Jerry Ewing

• YES members will attend plus YES Alumni

• The official launch and world-wide exclusive availability of the Drama line-up version of Fly From Here, new lead vocals throughout by Trevor Horn, and remix by Trevor, including an unreleased track. (limited numbers available for purchase)

• Roger Dean artwork on display and for sale. Trading Boundaries (Prog Rock venue) will host Roger’s stand. The revealing of the new piece of artwork for Close to the Edge will take place.

• YES tour merchandise will be available for sale

• Q & A with various guests & Roger Dean

• SeYeS: The UK YES Tribute band performing classic YES songs     

• Exclusive free YES fan day only, souvenir programme (limited numbers available)

• Yes auction of collectables (monies will go to the chosen charities)

• Uniquely, four YES book authors will be there throughout the day.

Trevor Horn joined Yes in the evening.

Paul Davies - Daily Express

Sunday, November 27, 2022 6:24 PM

Yes LIVE REVIEW: A dramatic show of classic songs with wonderful surprises

YES are celebrating their 50th anniversary with an incredible world-wide tour which has already taken in the hugely successful Cruise To The Edge floating prog festival.

By PAUL DAVIES

This was a Sunday night at The Palladium to remember

Now with the re-mixed, newly released Fly From Here - Return Trip with Trevor Horn on vocals, this celebration year has been full of surprises. In fact, Horn made a surprise appearance himself tonight singing on Tempus Fugit from Yes' Drama album.

And time did fly rewardingly by as Yes played a two and a half hour set of songs centred around the core of their Topographic Oceans album and classic songs.

A highly expectant audience dedicated to the minutiae for all things Yes, had their appetites whetted with a fan convention prior to this show. This included a Q & A with the band hosted by Jerry Ewing and a meet and greet which also involved legendary cover artist Roger Dean.

So it was a surprise introduction by original drummer Bill Bruford that got tonight’s demonstration of elite class musicianship underway, with a brain melting Yours Is No Disgrace from 1971's Yes Album.

With guitarist Steve Howe in spritely fine form stretching his magical fingers up and down the fretboard, follow up song I've Seen All Good People opening chime and vocal harmonies swung into action. Bassist Billy Sherwood swooped up and down the neck with a musical rollercoaster of notes as Geoffrey Downes produced otherworldly sounds from his bank of synths.

In fact, it was a masterclass of individual talents blending together to create a sum just as great as their parts. Which was fitting as Steve Howe dedicated a rare airing of Onward to founding member Chris Squire's widow and family who were in attendance tonight.

Singer Jon Davison's higher register voice hit the the tonal targets especially on back in the day hit single Wonderous Stories. His pure and gentle vocal shone as bright as the mesmerising abstract visuals on the backdrop screens. Especially so on Parallels as Downes pressed down the opening organ chords and Sherwood pumped out its earth tremor bass lines.

The second part of the show was devoted to the Topographic Oceans album. In particular, a full run through of sides 1 and 4 of this heavily critiqued concept album. The transcendental musical elements of The Revealing Science of God and Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) have been reverentially tweaked to awe inspiring effect. Moments of jaw dropping individual performances and overwhelming heart-soaring melodies brought a standing ovation from the jam-packed punters in this venerable theatre of dreams.

The crowd truly went wild when one-time singer in the band and producer Trevor Horn walked onstage. Back in 1980 both he and Geoffrey Downes joined Yes for the Drama album fresh from their success as The Buggles. Horn sang the true meaning of Tempus Fugit as he rolled back the years with an impeccable vocal.

A final surprise arrived with a recouperating Alan White on drums for perennial fan favourites Roundabout and Starship Trooper ensuring that this was a Sunday night at The Palladium to remember.