Big Hairy Monster

For those who are interested, I also snapped a lot of pictures from this show. You can view them at:

[Link] excellent show with a few miscues.

Rick G

I thought the show was great, fine job from everyone. Loved the setlist, and chance to hear some stuff thought long gone live. and I think Steve said 'shut up' to the guy with the long loud whistle...

I just put about 75 pics from the show at

[Link] am glad they are keeping the music alive and live - I have been enjoying an evening with Yes regularly since '72

rick sanabria

i thought the show was amazing,a chill runs up my spine when they strike that first chord. This show was extra special, because i was able to share this experience with my beautiful wife. Chris alan ,and steve played beautifully as always. i have to say something was still missing and that was jons amazing voice, he brings something extra special to the yes sound.It was very obvious on some songs that Davids mic was down a few levels putting more inficious on chris; and some of the timeing was off.Ilove the music so much i would go and see them again even without jon and rick.Oliver great job "a chip off the old block"

Sean T

I will agree with "Wurm" that Steve's playing was not as beyond amazing as it was in the 70s. BUT I do think it was closer to that than just about any tour I have seen from them since he returned in '97. It's almost like the inner dynamics of this band sometimes taints things and has a lot of bearing on how well Steve plays and responds to the crowd. Honestly, I think the guy should be a pro and leave all that drama behind when he walks on stage. But he often does not. I personally feel cheated he didn't play like this the times I saw him with Jon the past few tours. It's like the dude has a bug up his ass half the time. That isn't fair to the fans at all!

I felt it was one of the stronger sets instrumentally and yet one of the weaker ones vocally. Granted I hear Chris had a cold, so I will cut him a little slack. Still, the harmonies were off a lot of the night. I felt Benoit was a good stand in but not the dead ringer many have made him out to be. Close enough, but a tad pitchy and even a bit nasally/chimpmunkesqeue in a few spots. Still I doubt anyone could do any better. I hope Jon will return though, ain't nothing like the "real thing", baby! But will Steve go back to playing the bare minimum and act like his feet are nailed to the floor again if the classic lineup reconvenes? If so there may never be a great Yes tour again. I want a show with this shows energy but WITH JON next time. That would rule.

Oliver did better than a lot of these reports would leave me to believe. He wasn't as orante and frilly in his delivery as his Dad, and I think that was the best way to go. Almost a Tony Kaye style, sparse approach. With a few smoking Moog solos tossed in for good measure. I think Igor and Tom had more passion and pizazz for this music but Oliver pulled it off well. He nailed the solo in CTTE and Khatru and those were the closest thing to a litmus test he had to pass.

Overall, gripes aside, I REALLY enjoyed this show because of the energy level. I won't say I had any transcendent moments but I was thoroughly entertained and am glad they chose to do this tour for now.

Ernie Saylor

This is an incredible event! This line-up is amazing and if these guys do in fact put together an album in 2009 I will be the first in line to buy it. I strongly suggest that anyone having any interest in musicians of this caliber playing material this intricate go see YES this time around. Machine Messiah alone is worth the price of the ticket. Stage lights and set-up were great! Several times we met with individual band members in and about the hotel, city and the after show meet and greet and by golly you couldn't find a nicer group of fellows (and Miss Scotty too!) Oliver and Benoit did an outstanding job in their new found roles with YES!

Barry Sanchez

Excellant show, even though there were a few problems with "And You And I" it only showed that they are human, because the rest of the show they played like they were from another world! Steve was on fire, I've seen YES 15 times, and I've never heard him play like he played last night, and Chris, Alan, Benoit, & Oliver's playing was superb. I highly recommend that all YES FANS see this show, it will not disapoint you. The only problem I had with the show is that a band of YES's calipier is playing such small venues, they deserve better. Barry