CT Craiger

This was my second stop on the 15th Yes tour (I saw the show in Mohegan Sun). This time I brought my 11 year old son. He is familiar with Yes if not the die-hard I am. Good show but not great. The mix seemed to be off at the start. CTTE took time to get settled in but it still amazed me, even after all these years. I thought the sound was too loud to appreciate the nuances of Steve and Rick but it eventually took off. I liked the setlist despite the fact that I've seen it all before. The intimate setting for hte accoustical set was wonderful. My boy rocked along with me. I just wish that YES had the night to themselves-they don't need an opening act. Dream Theater-with appologies to the loyal fans who seemed quite moved by the performance-doesn't do much for me. They sound like a cross between EL&P and Kansas but without the artistry YES has always promoted. The crowd didn't have any energy this night either and they didn't excite the band like so many times in the past. The Mohegan Sun crowd last spring really pumped up the band. Although professional to the end, YES didn't seem overly inspired. All in all, I'm glad to have been there. I hope they play forever!!!

Matt Putzel

What can I say, another Yes concert. Luckily, the weather was nice, so the lovely Meadows Music Theatre wasn't subjected to odors from the nearby landfill. The crowd was sparse. There is not much reason to come to Hartford on a Sunday afternoon. Everything downtown shuts down, and the only things around the Meadows are fast food joints and porn shops. Oh, and don't cross to the other side of the train tracks behind the theatre if you value your possessions. This show would have been fantastic if it were at the Oakdale.

Okay, enough about my personal rant about how much I dislike the Meadows. This was actually the best I've ever heard this venue sound, so hats off to both sound men for a fine job. It may not sound like it, but I had a good time at the show, and it was great to see the band play live again. They played well, with lots of energy and put on a good show. Highlights for me were "Mind Drive" and "South Side Of The Sky" and the small Dream Theatre cover of "Machine Messiah". I was disappointed with the set, which in the spring contained a whole bunch of rarely played gems, but now includes just "Mind Drive" and more of the same stuff that the band has been playing year after year. I actually sold off my Jones Beach ticket, as its not worth the 3 hour drive in Long Island traffic to see this set.

However, for those who don't go to as many shows as I do, you'll probably love the set, and love the show, and I don't blame you. Yes is a great band and lets face it, the members aren't getting any younger, so who knows how many opportunities we have left to see them. This wasn't the best Yes show I've been to, but it was still an entertaining evening and about the best thing anyone can hope to do in Hartford on a Sunday Night!

Paul Lewis

Here is the difference:
YES are artists, and created fine art which they still play at a decent level of perfection, althought the once high level of musicianship is slipping for one or two members.
Dream Theater are musicians. Very talented, with very high technical ability...but they do not create nor play art. Silence in music is at least as important as cramming all those notes in.

dtfanatic

Great show by BOTH bands. These are my two favorite bands.

It's a shame I have to read such crap as below about DT. 80's wankmeisters? Get real. Considering their first album came out in 1989 this just shows some of the ignorant comments that people make. For a prog fan to be so close-minded is beyond belief. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion and not liking a band is one thing, but to make blanket statements like this is inexcusable. And no mention of their great version of Machine Messiah which YES will never do because of band politics. In fact the dwindling selection from YES's catalogue is starting to annoy even me who is their biggest supporter. At least the songs they do do are still done phenomenally well.

Jo Porterhouse

Great show by Yes at the cold and impersonal concrete monolith that is the Meadows in Hartford.80's wankmeisters Dream Theater were completly skilled musically-but no soul exists in their digital crap keyboard sound and pompous lead singer.That aside,the mix for Yes was very loud and satisfying,especially for the teeth rattling And You and I...it was stunning,just like last May at the casino.America was nearly a complete trainwreck,but the lads persevered and came through with flying colors.South Side was a highlight,and Wonderous Stories was just that-wonderous!Alan White played very loose and tight and the band were clearly enjoying themselves.Can't wait for the next one.I HOPE THEY NEVER STOP!!!!!!