Michael

Another great night.
Having seen the band at close quarters on the opening night in Dublin (by close, I mean like a couple of feet away from Steve Howe's toes) I was looking forward to seeing the band in the big arena; or the "big top" in this case.
I knew the setlist every which way, thanks in particular to this excellent site, and knew roughly what was coming - without turning into a friggin' anorak and nudging those around me in an annoying "know-all" manner, thankfully.
All songs executed to perfection, and had a spot-on view in the tiered section facing the stage (the band look younger from a distance as well) and the sound was truly excellent.
Great atmosphere provided by the "Scoosers" and non-scousers alike, and many amusing moments as the occasional punter totally lost the head and stood up frantically waving the arms Jon-style. Credit must be given to yer woman who really went for it during "Heart of the Sunrise"; her grandchildren would have been mortified with the humiliation of it all.
I took my 12yr old daughter along, hoping to wean her away from the darkside of mainstream pop and even she had to admit defeat on the night as she succumbed to the joyous set-list. As a grade 3 pianist she was gobsmacked after the "Six Wives" medley that was Rick's solo.

All in all, an enjoyable night of great music and great warmth from the punters; plenty of craic afterwards too, got talking to a couple who reminisced about Yes' 1971 appearance at Liverpool Stadium. Told them to cop on this website and put it all down in black and white............................

pr845662

A lovely evening by the Mersey, but try getting something to eat around 6pm. Albert Dock cafes heaving and impossible to get any hot food between 6 and 8!

Anyway, we had to divi up the tickets and snake into the Big Top single file, like elephants going to the circus. Ushering inside was provided by AAA Security, quite appropriate for Liverpool. I was expecting us to be ordered to 'calm down' as the Firebird Suite quietly started bang on 8pm.

The acoustics were surprisingly good for a big marquee and as soon as Siberian Khatru started, it was clear that the mix and volume were spot-on. It seemed as if everyone in the band was high up in the mix.

The band was as tight as a goldfish's bum and the evening flew by. There was a 20 minute intermission and it was like coming out of the flicks in mid-afternoon and seeing single-file queues of blokes waiting to climb the steps to the portakabin urinals holding their pints. One way of cutting out the middleman.

We were just behind the mixing desks by the gangway which was in constant use. I feel sorry for those in the middle of the stalls when a couple of blokes decided to stand up and dance about for ages like the Flowerpot Men.

Anyway, back to the music. Not my ideal setlist, but everything brilliantly executed and the solos were excellent. Chris was on awesome form, especially during Heart of the Sunrise. I enjoyed Magnification and In The Presence Of, but having seen the Yes Symphonic tour versions with the orchestra, they didn't quite have the depth of sound this time. The set 'ended' with Awaken minus the tickertape.

Anyway, a brilliant atmosphere and a rapturous reception for everything and two encores.