steve

this show was great but I dont see anything on the tour guide about the show in grand rapids a few days earlier was i dreaming the whole thing someone someone please inform

Brad Baker

I thought I saw it listed earlier but it should be noted that "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was played, even if just briefly. It did get a good rise out of the audience!

Brad Baker

"Intersection Blues" was not played. Steve clearly said "Second Initial" after the song. I can't understand why everyone is claiming the former was played.

Tyler Pence

I drove to Auburn Hills from Dayton, Ohio the morning of the show. I went to some really cool pre-show stuff at the hotel and at the Post bar across the street from the Palace, all with the great folks from Yesfans.com. Needless to say, after all that, I was tired by the time 7:30 rolled around. Not to worry, though. Yes wouldn't let me rest, and there would be plenty of time for sleep after the concert!

This was my first Yes show. I knew of the setlist and the stage setup previously, but I was still very excited. The first couple of songs, "Going For The One" and "Sweet Dreams" sounded a little muddy, and Jon Anderson's voice was not perfect, but they hit their stride after that. In fact, I'd have to say that this was the best sounding concert I've ever been to- aside from the aforementioned songs, I could hear every note from every instrument crystal-clearly. "I've Seen All Good People" was performed without the a capella into, which I never liked anyway. "Mind Drive," to my surprise, was incredible- one of the best songs of the night. The acoustic guitar intro was scrapped and the song started with the Chris Squire / Alan White XYZ riff- another good move. The first section of "Mind Drive" segued seamlessly into "South Side Of The Sky," quite possibly the best moment of the night, if only for the jam at the end of the song. "Turn Of The Century," as I expected, was beautiful, especially the instrumental section in the middle. After a very cool (but abbreviated) re-arrangement of "Foot Prints," they reprised the end of "Mind Drive." A spirited "Yours Is No Disgrace" closed the first set- Steve Howe in particular was on fire.

Anderson and Rick Wakeman opened the acoustic set with "The Meeting," which for some reason Anderson thought was hilarious, because he cracked up in the middle of the song- but he saved himself quickly and the song went on. "Wonderous Stories" was probably the highlight of the acoustic set for me- a beautiful performance all around, and flawless harmony vocals from Squire. Much to the delight of the crowd, Anderson started singing "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" right in the middle of the set. Perhaps cued by this and the "Meeting" flub, Yes seemed to get very lighthearted during the acoustic set, which made it a lot more enjoyable than if they were just going through the motions.

Anderson took a stroll through the audience during "Rhythm Of Love" (he passed right by me- I was in the back of section B), where I'm sure he felt like he was Justin Timberlake for a couple of minutes. Perhaps due to his jaunt in the crowd, the harmony vocals during this song weren't the best. Steve Howe ripped through a great guitar solo, though. "And You And I" was dead-on fantastic- it had better be, as they've done this song every show since 1972! "Ritual," dare I say it, was rather insipid, but that was probably due to the blandness of the song itself rather than anything Yes were doing wrong this particular night. They did their best- at least the drum solo was wicked.

I enjoyed "Every Little Thing" and "Soon" more than I thought I would as the encore- I still think they need to end with a bang instead of a breeze (*cough cough Tempus Fugit cough cough*).

In short, an excellent show despite whatever negative things I said about it. I can't wait to see them for a second time!

Edweird

Good, but nothing to write home about.

Yeah yeah, I know what you're thinking "how can you say that", "The best show ever". Not true, I've seen them do much better. Song selection was OK, nothing to wet myself over. Ever since Steve-O returned they have almost ignored their '80s output, save for ROL on this tour which was the only one, while I don't expect half the show to be '80s tunes, at least do something from DRAMA for christsakes. I could have done without the whole Mind Drive/SSOTS/TOTC/Footprints medley, actually it was at that point my date and I went for a smoke/food break, we're talking major ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's at that point.

The sound was OK, I could not hear Rick at times, and heard Chris to often, and Steve sometimes I could and could not. The Robo-Drums thing was cool, once again nothing to write home about. Sound problems aside, the band was in top form, the only draw back was the set. Our seats were second row in section D. My friend Erin had never seen them, and she never passes up a free concert, the only killer was the $15 parking, give me a break Bill D, you already have enuff money rolling in with the Lightning in the NHL playoffs.

The rest of the show was great, the unplugged part was most excellent. I'd pay more money to see a Yes Unplugged tour. We left after AYAI, because I didn't care to hear Ritual (never liked to to begin with) and Erin was bored after AYAI anyway.

Some of you might say "oh well you're not a true fan for saying stuff like that" Bite me I say, I've seen them every tour since Generator, ABWH included and while that's not as much as others I think it makes me more than a bandwagon fan.

Geoff

Yes is better than ever! The entire show was truly fantastic, and the sound was big, full, and clear. Jon Anderson's voice never seems to get raspy or tired, as other singers tend to do on tour, and he seemed to enjoy the concert every bit as much as the audience did. Chris Squire was intense, full of power. Rick Wakeman displayed his usual cool wizardry. Steve Howe was as intriguing as ever--playing the most intricate guitar, mandolin, and pedal steel parts, nailing the harmony--all while keeping one rather disapproving eye on the lights, monitors, and general setup. Alan White smiled constantly as he drove the music with joyous and aggressive playing. The acoustic set was fresh and intimate. "Turn of the Century" was beautiful and moving; "And You and I" delivered the power and the wall of sound I was craving. Nothing could have been more thrilling.

Barry

Totally Awesome as always

Mike Ulrich

What can I say! Except our generation won't die off in a rockin' chair, I mean Last night the YES "ROCKED". I posted another review in the "Going For The One" tour in Toledo and what a difference (26 years, 9 months and 8 days)can make. Wakeman has always been my mentor, And I've followed his career closely his whole life, and was blessed to have seats 9 rows back on the floor right in front of Rick. On the funny side, I was at the concert with my brother who was with me back in the 1977 concert, but this time we had a new set of concerns.... 'bout a year ago after suffering a bad heart attach, I now have in my chest a pacemaker/defibulator (AICD) with (2)wires in my heart just waiting to pick a irregular heartbeat to "SHOCK" me back to life; so hear I am on the floor just a few feet from the stage... and this mega-neutron sound system is pounding my chest like sledgehammers!! I just laughed with fear watching my brothers face waiting for this thing in my chest to knock my on my tush... Now is that a fan or what???? The defibulator never went off (it's probably not even plugged in) and I got to enjoy the most wonderful concert of my life. My only complaint after reading some of the other comments from other concerts on this tour is we didn't get Rick's solo... But hey, I've got a bunch of those here at home........... Thanks again to the 'YES' for a memorable evening.

PV in Flint

I first saw YES in '98 at Pine Knob. That show will always be, in my opinion, one of the best performances by the band. The whole crowd was up and dancing before the encore! I have since been to 3 other YES concerts, which includes this Auburn Hills show, and all have been kinda "lack luster" since then. The Palace show was great, don't get me wrong. The performance didn't miss a beat but it did miss some energy. I guess if you were in your late 50's and playing the same songs for the past 35 years, how much more inspired could you get? The highlight for me was 'South Side of the Sky', which I think is the best harmonized vocal lines I've ever heard! 'Ritual' was also the great. The climactic build with all the drums pounding and lights a flashin' reminded me of a finally at a 4th of July show. It was also nice to see Wakeman reunited with the band! (Now, if only Bill Bruford could join in...) Yeah, as my friend Matt and I agreed, we are both satisfied with seeing YES in concert. They were and still are a great band! A major influence on my musical taste and playing, but sadly, nothing more to see that we haven't seen before. Except maybe, different goofy stage props. I understood the bird of prey talon and the tree but what was the other one? It look like a pair of dismembered legs wearing high heels and a big boob stuck on one of the thighs. ???