CHW Thomas

Sunday, December 3, 2023 2:32 PM

DTE Energy Music Theatre now called the Pine Knob Music Theatre is not in the city of Detroit, but is in the Independence charter Township in Michigan.

Dene Bedayo

First time to see Asia. I thought they were tight from the start. They sound much better live than the records. John Wetton got the basslines pounding. He was great. Kudos to Carl Palmer. He was less of a bore than Alan White. The songs from King Crimson and ELP were the icing for me.

Yes was what I came for. Actually I bought a Meet and Greet tix. I came to see Steve and I was not disappointed. He had technical problems with his guitar early but got fixed at no time.

I didn't expect a total Yes performance due to the line up. Benoit and Oliver were fine. At least I was able to hear the band live this year. Machine Messiah stood out. I read about Jon's hesitant to play the Drama songs. So this one's a treat.
The rests were expected classics. Alan looked a tad off. Tired maybe.

The Meet and Greet went smoothly. I left around 1 AM. The band stayed later. They were tireless answering queries from the fans. Steve signed 12 cd sleeves for me. The most I think from anyone there. I wish I could have taken more pictures with him. Maybe next time. Maybe then, they'll have Rick and Jon around.

Tim Hoskins

Asia was avery tight unit of muscians that did everything very profestionaly. The band was nothing slight of a phenom.I could go on about Carol ,Geoff and Steve and John. How did Steve have all that energy to do what he did and as good as he did?Than at the end of the Asia set they let loose and realy jamed. Yes was a great show too I think people should give MR Benoit a little more respect he does his work realy well, and he should keep being himself. Yes is lucky they have him istead of some other supper group. And if people didn't realize Oliver is an award wining keyboard player.I hope in the future I would like to see Jon and David on stage together a lot is possible with yes. It was a great night and the show did pretty well for being on a monday night if that tells you somthing don't miss an oportunity of great music and fun. Tim H.

David R. Millare

When I found out on POLLSTAR. COM that the "DREAM TOUR" wasn''t coming to Chicago or Milwaukee, I was little bum out. I called my friend Keith (big YES fan)& said, ROAD TRIP!!!
It was worth the trip. DTE or Deer Creek is the best outdoor venue, to see and hear a show! Next to ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE & HOLLYWOOD BOWL! That would kool to see YES & ASIA at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL!!! I would fly out to see that show!!!

The show was excellent, I wish JON ANDERSON was there!!! I think he would enjoy that tour.

Asia just crank out those hits songs...BIG TIME! As for YES,they smoked that place....BIG TIME!!!

One of mine friends saw the current YES line up, last year at the Chicago theater. He told me after the concert, I just witness "a YES tribute band" (my friend is in a Paul McCartney Wings tribute band).

Rockin Chicago Dave

Denise Sharpe

I've seen Asia 5 times in the past 2 years...They were great here in Detroit monday, but it was such a short set...You ALL have to see them play a FULL show, now that will really blow you away! Buy their album "Phoenix" and don't miss them the next time they are in town,,and if they don't come to your town, make it a getaway for yourself and travel,,,you'll have some awesome memories...
(and Carl is only 59..but he plays like he's 20)
and I missed the Yes set,,I was having chest pains during the Asia set, so the DTE first aid took great care of me and got me an ambulance to the hospital..I'm fine, only minor artery blockage.
Would have liked to have seen Yes though.

Steve Cox

I saw the first show of this lineup in Hamilton. Comparisons to
tonight's show at DTE Music Theater...
They have their full rock show mojo on now, very impressive.
Oliver is way more confident in his playing, but he's no showman. First
night he was good old-fashioned nervous, not tonight.
Steve was on fire in Hamilton, tonight showed that, while he's got it
well covered, it's a long night, and it's been a long tour. His solo was
incredible, he's a master.
Chris was a bit sloppy opening night, tonight he was superb, in great
voice, seemed hail and hearty, every inch the rock god right on his
game.
Alan, as always, was an unassuming powerhouse. Kit looked awesome in the
rock show lights.
John's parts were, as on opening night, sung very well by BD. He had a
more confident show tonight to go with the great vocals..but it kind-of
made me miss Jon even more. Live, JA focuses the music towards its true
meaning and purpose, which he shows us all from the inside out. Benoit
covers the vocals uncannily, but it turns out there's more to being the
real diamond man fronting Yes than "just" singing. Funny how I can
accept Oliver as a new member, but BD as a likeable, hardworking
understudy.
I missed the length of a normal Yes concert, like the opening night.
Epic music benefits from a longer format. BUT it was a well-chosen,
wide-ranging repertoire. Highlight was AYAI.

Asia were a great prog-rock show. I NEVER expected to hear SH playing
Court Of The Crimson King! I met a lot of Asia fans tonight who only got
into Yes through Asia, interesting...however, a lot of people obviously
skipped the Asia part.. the place filled up quite a bit for the Yes
section of the concert.


My son came tonight with a musician friend who had never seen Yes. Every
kid like that who gets to experience Yes live is another reason I'm glad
that Yes took a chance and went out with an understudy.

HOWEVER..please, Lord, let them be able to do another tour with Jon back
at the helm!!!

Jim Zellner

I've been a Yes, King Crimson and ELP fan since at least 1974. I would have walked away pleased with the concert after hearing Court of the Crimson King and Fanfare for a Common Man. Court of the Crimson King was perfect. The keyboard sounds were perfect. The vocals were perfect. Steve's guitar was perfect. "Fanfare..." was amazing as well - with Carl Palmer demonstrating once again that he is the master percussionist... and I really liked the interaction between guitar and keyboard. When Yes started it seemed like there were some technical difficulties, but they were soon remedied. Hightlight of the night for me was "And You and I..." Heart of the Sunrise was exceptional as well. Saw them in December and thought Oliver Wakeman has become significantly more comfortable. Benoit David is a great sub for Jon. His stage presence didn't bother me in the least - primarily because I focus on Steve Howe most of the time.

Super Impressed

Awesome show and I'm picky when they have replacements. I agree that Carl's drum solo was a highlight. His drumsticks were levitating !!!!
Benoit is ok, actually a little distracting, Oliver is sufficient, Alan seems less tired than in November at the Filmore, Chris was great, and Steve was out of this world! I adore these boys and they didn't disappoint.

Asia was good and a highlight was Court of the Crimson King. I generally can take or leave Asia but I'm glad to have seen them, Steve IS the hardest working man and Carl is unbelievable. I've seen him with ELP and was impressed so many years ago. Geoff, well.....why does he face his back to the audience so much?

I had superb seats - oh, about 8 or 9 rows back -dead center. The only complaint I had was the chick in the yellow cordoroy pants in front of me that ruined it. I guess she thought we all would like to see her backside the entire concert. That's why I generally pay lots of money to sit even closer to the stage, fewer idiots to distract me from seeing 'my boys'. Next time, next time.....

Bill

Asia and Yes both put on great shows. They stuck to the setlists that have been posted online (I brought a copy along - nice to know what to expect.)

The new "Hardest Working Man in Show Business" is definitely Steve Howe! (Chris Squire labelled him that last night. Too funny!) I've been a fan of his since I found Yes in the late 70's, and he seems to get better with time. His playing was the best I've seen in all the Yes shows I've attended and heard.

The star of the evening, though, was Carl Palmer. Rock-solid drumming and a drum solo that was amazing. (I've always respected his playing when I learned that, in the early 80's - at the top of his game, he was taking drum lessons!)

The lighting and the set were less elaborate than I anticipated, but it didn't really matter. Most of the time, I find that stuff distracting. When you have top-notch musicians playing - just let them play!

your_host

NOTICE (July 25): A substantial data corruption occurred some time between July 22 and 24, which wiped out almost all information for the second leg of the "In the Present" USA tour. Unfortunately there was no backup recent enough to regenerate the lost data (more frequent backups are now being instituted). The lost dates and setlists have been reconstituted manually, but the reviews cannot be regenerated except by fans re-submitting them, which we encourage. FY regrets the inconvenience.