Gregg Ivers

I attended this show with my wife, who had never seen Yes, just a few days after I attended the Philadelphia show with a friend, who had never seen Yes either. The Philly show was great; my friend became a convert on the spot. But it did not compare to the DC show of just a few days later. I have been listening to Yes since 1972 -- Fragile was the first album I bought with my own money -- and, but for a departure during the Rabin years, have always believed that their music was on a different level than anything else.

The show was the best live performance from Yes I had ever seen. The venue was intimate, and althought the crowd was small, the band played as it this was a private showing. Never have I heard Steve Howe play so well -- even Jon seemed genuinely blown away during Steve's solo during "Close to the Edge." Alan White is amazing, perhaps the most underappreciate great drummer in rock music. Rick was back, amazing as always and certainly in great form. But, in the end, Jon and Chris steal the show. Their vocal harmonies are just otherworldly -- Chris's singing is still the most underrated facet of Yes music. The bass playing, Jon's perfect singing, their contrasting styles playing off each other. . . wow. "In the Presence Of" and "Awaken," . . . if you don't cry during those songs you don't get it.

Just a wonderful concert from a band that will never be equalled or duplicated.

Jim

This Yes performance was absolutely SPECTACULAR! My wife and I attended the Saturday night Philly show and it was not even close to the performance and enthusiasm that Yes achieved at DAR Constitution Hall Tuesday night. Jon never even introduced any of the songs in Philly or spoke about how important the audience and fans are to Yes. He spoke several (5) times last night in between songs and voiced his appreciation for the many years Yes fans have supported their music. The band was very much into the show and you could definitely see that it was quite apparent with the smiles all over the stage. I saw the ABWH performance at DAR back in 1990 and it rated right up with the quality of that performance. It is quite obvious that Yes loves to rock this D.C. venue! There is something about performing in the nations capital that Yes takes very seriously. Granted, Philly did get the Starship Trooper encore but they did NOT get the full Yes energy that the audience at DAR Constitution Hall got. Many of the fans I talked to who saw both shows agreed full heartedly that Yes was a 10 at DAR compared to maybe a 7 at the Philly Saturday night show. Personally, I would much rather take that full Yes energy and personal interaction with the audience any day over a Starship Trooper encore. Jon even bent down and took a ticket and pen from a fan in the front row to sign an autograph for him. When the ungrateful fan wouldn't accept the ticket back from Jon after he signed it ( he wanted all the Yes members to sign it ), Jon just threw it back at the guy. Jon then got a lot of laughs when he took his tambourine off the mike stand and acted like he was going to hit the ungrateful guy over the head with it! Hilarious! Chris was "kicking" it up all night in his fancy leather shoes maintaining direct eye contact with the front rows, and giving everyone that "stare right through you" glare. He bowed down right over the front edge of the stage after his TREMENDOUS solo spot and just stayed stationary for about 35 seconds. Nobody tried to touch him although they were less than 8 inches from him. A very respectful crowd. Steve did fall behind a few times, but only because he was trying to improvise in between the well known riffs. Such is the delight in "live" performance though . . . right? Does anybody know what Rick is chewing on all during the show? I thought they were those little "goldfish" crackers, but they don't take that long to chew as these did? Maybe peanuts. He tried to toss one up in the air and catch it in his mouth but missed about half way through the show. Whatever they are, Chris munched on a couple during the performance as well. All in all this was DEFINITELY one of the BEST out of 91 Yesshows I have attended since 1976. Many fans kept standing during the entire performance . . . a lot more than in Philly! Congratulations D.C. Metro Yes fans! You did show up those Philly fans in a very large way. Yes LOVED this audience and it was communicated through the quality of this performance . . . . we were AWAKENED to our higher consciousness and there was . . . NO DOUBT . . . NO DOUBT . . . !!

Jason Owen

Superb show last night... same setlist as the last few nights with the exception of Steve's solos (Leaves of Green, Mood for a Day), full Roundabout and no Starship Trooper (I'm a little bummed about that). But, it was the best live Close to the Edge I've ever heard.

Janeeee was in the third row and was very "into" the music: singing, waving hands, etc. The crowd was good but the venue was only about 70% full.

Yes -- thanks for a great evening (my 13th show).