Samuel Musicfan

Sunday, September 11, 2022 8:53 PM

Thu 8 Sep 2022, I went to see a concert "YES – Close to the Edge 50th Anniversary Tour in Japan" held at NHK Osaka Hall. YES is a British progressive rock band formed in London in 1968. To mark the 50th anniversary of the release of their 5th album "Close to the Edge" put on the market in 1972, the Japan tour is being held in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya as part of the world tour. The show I watched was the performance in Osaka in the middle day of the tour.

NHK Osaka Hall is a music hall located on the 4th floor of the building of the Osaka Broadcasting Center, where NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station is situated in.

The concert was held with the strict coronavirus infection prevention measures: i.e. wearing a mask, measuring body temperature and sanitizing hands. Seating does not vacate each next seat, but it was asked to keep wearing masks and refrain from talking or cheering for prevention measures of Covid.

As the start time approached, the seats were filled with fans. In addition to many old aged men of longtime fans, young women were also seen.

The house lights went down at 7:05pm. First came a tribute video for Alan White, who joined Yes in 1972 and passed away in May this year. Next, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, vocalist Jon Davison, bassist Billy Sherwood, and drummer Jay Schellen appeared on the stage and the show began. The show was performed through without an intermission unlike the former concerts.

The setlist consisted of songs selected from albums between 1991 and 1980 including perfect reproduction of the album "Close to the Edge", and also a song from their latest album released last year was performed.

The legendary guitarist Steve Howe, who joined YES since 1970, mainly played full acoustic guitar, and also played guitars replaced with semi-acoustic guitar, blue Telecaster, pedal steel, and acoustic guitar depending on the song. In addition, he sang together as a backing vocalist in some songs. Although he is an old man with gray hair, he stepped forward with light steps and played guitar solos. He also gave his customary solo performance using acoustic guitar. The audience gave him a big hand.

Geoff Downes played keyboards and synthesizers and the magnificent sounds were created.

The young vocalist Jon Davison, who joined the band since 2012, sang in soft and high note voices just like original vocalist Jon Anderson. In some songs, he sang while playing acoustic guitar, and also played tambourine and digital percussion.

The bassist Billy Sherwood using 4-string electric bass created strong bassline by picking like the late Chris Squire who was original bassist of the band. He also sang together with Steve as a backing vocalist in some songs.

Jay Schellen, who has participated as a backup member from before, played drums by skillful use of sticks, created the dynamic rhythm and supported the bottom of the band sound.

While the artworks of their CD jackets and image videos were projected on the backward LED screen, the band members played live music from beginning to end. The audience who had taken seats and listened to the music intently started clapping their hands to the rhythm when approaching the end of the main part.

In response to the standing ovation from the audience, the band members reappeared on the stage and gave two encores. Their representative songs were performed. The entire audience stood up from the seats and clapped their hands to the rhythm of the exciting music and got most excited.

The band gave an excellent performance for two hours. I fully enjoyed music and videos of YES.

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YES – Close to the Edge 50th Anniversary Tour in Japan
Thu 8 Sep 2022
@NHK Osaka Hall

[Member]
Steve Howe - Guitars/Pedal steel guitar/Backing vocal
Geoff Downes - Keyboards
Jon Davison - Vocal/Acoustic guitar/Tambourine/Percussion
Billy Sherwood - Bass/Backing vocal
Jay Schellen - Drums

[Setlist]

On the Silent Wings of Freedom
Yours Is No Disgrace
Does It Really Happen?
To Be Over (Steve Howe solo)
Wonderous Stories
The Ice Bridge
Heart of the Sunrise
Close to the Edge
And You and I
Siberian Khatru
=Encore=
Roundabout
Starship Trooper