Progressive rock’s usual venues of choice are majestic theaters or spacious arenas and even stadiums, well-suited for the grand sweep of the music.
The ballroom of an Italian restaurant? Not so much.
But prog and pasta co-existed beautifully on Thursday night, Oct. 19, when Yes performed at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. Unlike the other venues the band usually calls home, this was essentially a club show (supper club, if you will), up-close and in-your-face, shorn of any accompanying visual flash and stripped down to the musical core Yes’ 53-year catalog.
It was odd, yes; even guitarist Steve Howe, Yes’ longest-termed member (since 1970), remarked early on about the “very intimate” space. But the result was a genuinely special night for the about 800 fans sitting at the Showroom’s long, family-style tables.