Great progressive rock party that we are going to experience next Friday, May 3 with the Yes tour. The Londoners are one of the most important bands of the genre, founded in 1968, they have been and continue to be a great influence for generations of musicians. With a career spanning more than 50 years and an overwhelming 23 studio albums, they are undoubtedly living rock history.

On this tour they continue to celebrate precisely the 50th anniversary of Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973), an interesting album with only four tracks, but each of them about 20 minutes long, exceeding 80 in total. Authentic smoked music that we are going to enjoy in Sala Paral·lel 62 as it deserves.

Of course, we will also have hits from different periods of the band's career, including their new release, Mirror to the Sky (2023). Yes currently consists of Jon Davison (vocals and acoustic guitar), Steve Howe (guitar, backing vocals), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Billy Sherwood (bass, backing vocals) and drummer Jay Schellen (Drums).

And to give it a special touch, on all tour dates there will be an exhibition by artist and designer Roger Dean , who has collaborated with the group on several occasions for their covers. An evening not to be missed.

JF Gras - Metal Hammer Spain

Thursday, May 9, 2024 9:19 PM

[GOOGLE TRANSLATE from original Spanish to English]:

CONCERTS

Yes presents in Barcelona a celebration of music in its purest and most powerful form

Metal Hammer Editorial
May 9, 2024

Band: Yes
Venue: Sala Paral·lel – Barcelona – May 3, 2024
Promoter: Get Rock
Photos and Chronicle: JF Gras (Sudando Rock)

Yes finally performed in Barcelona this May 3 as the third leg of their European tour, which began in Lisbon. Gone are some previous cancellations. The legendary band led by Steve Howe finally treated Catalan fans and some from other parts of the world. My neighbors on the dance floor were from Benicàssim and Borriana for example and they came to experience an unforgettable night at Paral·lel 62 (formerly BARTS), many familiar faces from TOTUM Revolutum and lifelong fans, with a very minority presence of young people. The British band is presenting a repertoire on this tour under the title «Classic Tales Of Yes» in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of their album “Tales From Topographic Oceans” .

Before continuing. This chronicle is dedicated to our companion of dozens of concerts and friend of multiple personal experiences, Francesc Guilera . He's one of those guys that he goes to about 200 concerts or more every year. He has helped us discover groups we didn't know about and live unforgettable moments of good live music. No, luckily, nothing bad has happened to him. Simply put, Yes is one of his favorite groups, if not the most favorite. There are still dozens of concerts left in 2024 and an important birthday to celebrate. “The show is must go on . ”

The iconic British group, revered for their progressive compositions based on complexity and musical virtuosity, shook the foundations of the venue on a night that will remain engraved in the memory of their fans forever. Despite its long history and its multiple line-up changes, we have witnessed the concert of a band that has managed to keep the spirit of its creators alive, knowing how to adapt to the current moment.

The notes of “Tales from Topographic Oceans” sounded , the group's sixth studio album published in 1973 in the UK, and they did not forget some of the new hits from their most recent work “Mirror to the Sky” (23rd studio album that appeared in 2023).

We have not been in front of the Yes of the eighties, but in front of an integral and compact band that manages with dignity the legacy of more than fifty years of progressive rock. It is difficult to synthesize more than twenty albums and five decades in a concert of approximately two hours, including rest, especially maintaining the characteristic sound of Yes for decades while respecting the original patterns that the public recognizes.

The current line-up is made up of these five musicians: Steve Howe , Geoff Downes , Jon Davison , Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen , who filled the night with a majestic journey through the Yes discography .

This group combined the experience of the survivor of the initial group, Steve Howe, who at seventy-seven years old remains in full health, retaining the agility of his fingers to recreate impeccable execution and solid melodic characterization. In some solos, his leadership was clear. The soft and melodic voice of Jon Davison, in the band since 2012, achieves a balanced situation with the fresh talent of new members. Ten keyboards leave the mark of Geoff Downes (ex- Buggles , ex- Asia ), Billy Sherwood (ex- Yes 1997-2000 and later 2015 replacing the legendary Chris Squire ) on bass and Jay Schellen on drums since 2016 and member. official since last 2023.

Yes continues to be a towering force in the world of progressive rock. From the first chord they caught us, although it must be said that the audience was not as large as expected for this event. From the first moment, the virtuosity of each band member was evident, fusing their individual talents into a perfectly synchronized symphony of sound and feelings.

Just a few minutes after 8 p.m., the curtain rose at Paral·lel 62 and in grand style they took us to the monumental “Machine Messiah .” Yes began their performance that served as an elegant entrance to a concert that promised to lead to ecstasy. collective, and I would get it. The keyboards created a mysterious and futuristic atmosphere, while Steve Howe's guitar added varied textures with his progressive chords and characteristic melodic style.

As the song progressed, Jay Schellen's drums and Billy Sherwood's bass provided a powerful, solid rhythm that propelled the melody forward with relentless intensity. Jon Davison's voice soared above the instrumentation, carrying with it the evocative and deep lyrics of this “Machine Messiah.” The song's progressive chords and complex musical structures immediately set the overall tone for an evening of pure musical magic.

This live piece was more than just a performance of a song; It was an emotional adventure and a sample of the power that Yes still defends on stage. At the end of the song, the room resounded with applause and cheers.

After this impressive performance, Yes continued their performance with a smooth transition into the moving “It'll Be a Good Day.” The venue was filled with a sense of optimism as Jon Davison's soothing voice guided the audience through comforting lyrics and enveloping melodies.

Shortly after, the energy changed with “Going for the One,” a song that got the audience into a more energetic and vibrant rhythm. Steve Howe's guitar chords echoed through the room, infusing a sense of purpose into Yes 's music , as the band navigated the intricate tempo changes with mastery and professionalism.

The combination of "It'll Be a Good Day" and "Going for the One" generated a fascinating dynamic during the concert.

After “Going for the One” , Yes continued their journey with a series of songs that took the audience through different landscapes. “I've Seen All Good People” brought the audience together in a unison chorus, with its distinctive “Your Move” and “All Good People” sections highlighting the band's vocal prowess and ability to create engaging harmonies. .

Later, “Southern Solo” brought with it a more introspective tone, with its delicate guitar chords and evocative melodies that once again invited reflection. This moment of calm set the stage for “Time and a Word,” a song that expressed the essence of Yes ' signature sound .

Finally, the concert reached a new ecstasy with “Don't Kill the Whale” (1978), a song that conveyed a vigorous message. The power chords and thoughtful lyrics inspired the audience to join in a clamor for environmental conservation.

After “Don't Kill the Whale,” the band continued their performance with an emotional performance of “Turn of the Century” (1977). Again, Steve Howe's guitar and Jon Davison's voice intertwined in sublime harmony.

With melodic beauty and lyrical depth, the song resonated in the hearts of everyone present, setting the stage for a well-deserved break for the group before the final act of the show. This song served as a perfect closing for the first part of the concert, leaving the audience immersed in a state of certain mysticism. The audience had the opportunity to absorb the greatness of what they had just witnessed. For approximately half an hour, the Paral·lel 62 venue vibrated with just the accumulated emotion, while fans exchanged impressions about the highlights of the concert so far.

SECOND PART

The break provided a moment of reflection, setting the stage for the final act of the show. The atmosphere in the room was electric, charged with anticipation for what was yet to come. Yes returned to the stage with renewed strength and an even more dedicated audience.

They restarted with “South Side Of Sky” and later “Cut From The Stars,” each offering moments of incomparable emotion and beauty. With the legendary “South Side of the Sky”, whose opening chords resonated as a call to adventure and musical exploration; A hypnotic atmosphere was created, with its changes of rhythm and instrumental passages that conquered those present. The impeccable execution of each note and each measure by the band members immersed the audience in an ocean of progressive sounds, demonstrating once again the mastery of Yes . The performance of ”Cut from the Stars” was glorious.

One of the highlights of the concert came with “Tales Edit”, a musical epic, composed like a puzzle with parts of “The Revealing Science Of God” , “The Remembering ” , “Leaves Of Green” and “Ritual”. This performance left the audience absorbed in a state of amazement and admiration.

The concert reached its absolute climax with “Roundabout”, we were “in front of Yes ” again. Finally, Yes closed the night with their timeless classic “Starship Trooper” in epic fashion.

As the last chords faded into the night, the room erupted in a roar of applause. Yes had delivered not only a concert, but an unforgettable experience that we will all carry in our hearts for a long time. It felt like each song had been carefully selected, offering a unique experience. It has been an honor to witness this more than extraordinary event.

Yes 's concert in Barcelona has not only been a tribute to its glorious past, but also a demonstration of its continued relevance and vitality in the current scene. It was impossible to cover all the classics from their extensive discography in a single night, but the band offered a complete performance that honored the legacy of more than fifty years.

EXTRA BONUSES

Accompanying this concert was an exhibition of paintings by world-renowned artist and designer Roger Dean , whose stunning art of otherworldly landscapes has graced classic album covers and posters, especially notable in the works of Yes and Asia . Who doesn't remember all the original Yes covers ? Each show is accompanied by an exhibition by this author in the concert hall. His work, which also appears on the cover of the current album “Mirror to the Sky ,” has sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide.

I want to highlight what Howe himself said in a press conference a few weeks ago about the lighting for this tour: “To keep our performances fresh, we now bring our own lights, so we can present a consistent show every night, designed for us by William …We hope to see you all there!” .

In short, Yes 's performance at Paral·lel 62 has been a celebration of music in its purest form. We would like to see you again, all of you.

Ramon Súrio - La Vanguardia

Monday, May 6, 2024 8:22 AM

[GOOGLE TRANSLATE from original Spanish to English]:

Yes, from another time (★★★✩✩)

The Yes performance experience, champions of symphonic rock, includes an exhibition of silkscreens by Roger Dean, the author of the covers of the British group's classic albums. Now a quintet led by guitarist Steve Howe, the only member who remains from the days of progressive glory and on which the current sound pivots. Jon Davison is responsible for replacing the angelic voice of the legendary Jon Anderson, imitating with dignity the constant highs of a countertenor without reaching falsetto.

Taking the place of the late bassist Chris Squire is Billy Sherwood, who is essential as a supporting voice. And the keyboards, a job in which Rick Wakeman stood out, are in charge of Geoff Downes, who was the founder, with Trevor Horn, of the synth-pop duo The Buggles. Completing the line-up is the forceful drummer Jay Schellen, who is not nearly as creative as Bill Bruford, but he does his job.

They include moments of folk-rock with bandurria like 'I've seen all good people', a nod to the 'Americana' sound with the pedal steel that crowns 'Going for the one'

The outdated sound reflects the baroque manners of another era, but the group continues to release albums, the latest being Mirror to the Sky, from which they performed the synthetic single Cut from the Stars, inspired by a visit to the Joshua Tree desert. But it goes without saying that their repertoire is based on material published in the seventies, including moments of folk-rock with bandurria such as I've seen all good people, a nod to the Americana sound with the pedal steel that crowns the opulent Going for the one or a version of Simon & Garfunkel's America.

The moments of total connection, with some tall fans who did not fill the room, came with the dramatic lyricism of Time and a word, the cascades of vintage synth that crown Don't kill the whale and the canonical symphonism of South side of the sky , with a proliferation of vocal lyrics, rock guitar riffs and neoclassical pianism. Not to mention the condensation made of the mystical and conceptual double album Tales from topographic ocean. They finished off the immersion in the time tunnel with their great success Roundabout, full of colorful organ, and a Starship trooper that does justice to the science fiction novel from which it is inspired.