Simon Barrow

Friday, September 11, 2015 4:24 PM

I was already in Birmingham and on the bus from my hotel to the venue when the news came through on my phone that the gig had been cancelled. Exceptionally high winds meant that the ferry crossings carrying equipment from the Dublin concert were unavoidably cancelled. The band faced criticism for not allowing and additional day for travel, but that would not be an expected contingency. Someone then tried to get the equipment to the airport, but it couldn’t be loaded in time, I’m told. I feel sorry for those who have lost a lot in time, money and the Yes experience. I was fortunate enough to have been able to combine concert-going with work, and to have a ticket in hand for the second show at the Symphony Hall tomorrow.

Roger Smith

Not impressed. I know it's not Yes' fault but I'm unimpressed all the same. Not only did it cost me £4.80 for 4 hours (but then after 15 minutes) subsequently unrequired parking, I have also lost my booking fee on my tickets (which were front stalls row A) and the cost of the journey to Birmingham. I am now going to Cardiff on Friday night and incurring the costs of that but whoever planned this little leg of the tour from Dublin needs firing...I've seen Yes in concert many times, so at least I know it'll be worth the journey to Cardiff.

Richard Mckenna

It was very very disapointing to find out tonights gig was cancelled, I was actually on the way to the gig and had been waylaid to muck out a friends two horses! His brother rang on his mobile and relaid the news. He heard from a member of Fred Zeppelin ( brilliant tribute band). Fortunately I managed to get tickets for tomorrow nights concert but others I was going with can't make it. I have heard that Yes will be interviewed on central TV tomorrow night.

Sara

Just returned from B'ham. No concert - very disappointing, but at least scrambled some tickets for tomorrow night; only just though.

There were a lot of irate fans there, to say the least.

My friend Donna ( who is not a Yes fan - "heretic!") has just asked; "What do irate Yes fans do? Throw magic mushrooms at the stage?" tsk tsk, she thinks it's all about fairies on toadstools, dizzy ramblings etc. etc.

Don't worry, I'll give her a good going over!

Hope tomorrow 'happens'.

Rick O'Shea

Most band's gear goes from Ireland to Britain by boat as the trucks just roll on and off and it's a lot cheaper than air. We've had VERY high winds and ferry sailings were cancelled last night.

Philip Marshall

After travelling from London to Birmingham for tonights Show bitter disapointment set in. At 5pm the show was cancelled due to lack of equipment, the official line was that high winds had delayed the transport.

Good luck for the Irish, bad luck for us as tonights show was originally the first. Albert Hall seems a long way away now.

Meng & Peng

I was told by Symphony Hall staff that the band's gear was being transported by ferry boat from Ireland, and had to be turned back because of bad weather! This was met by some scepticism from those around me however!

Bullet

I have just heard from tonights venue (Birmingham), that there has been a cock up with transporting the equipment from Dublin. Alternative arrangements have been made, but it is not know if the stuff will get over in time for tonights show.

Tizwin (Hay)

Sorry to be ''the messenger'' of disappointing news, but I have had confirmation from Birmingham Symphony Hall tonight's YES show has been cancelled because the band's equipment went to the wrong airport, today, following last night's show in Dublin.

I'm told the venue personnel will tomorrow be writing to ticketholders, offering a full refund, and enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope for that purpose.

However, clearly there will be many fans who have travelled long distances by car or train. The telephone number I have been given for such people to seek reimbursement of travel expenses (+ accommodation?) is :

Customer Services, Birmingham Symphony Hall ~ 0121 6445198

Currently, I do not know precisely what equipment is still in transit. Possibly, if YES have (or could have borrowed) basic instruments, they + ''The voice'' could have performed an acoustic show, to the reasonable satisfaction of their eager audience. Maybe each ticket holder could have been given a low-value gift from the merchandise (a hat, for example). Sigh...!

Regarding re-scheduling the gig, such a shame the venue has a symphony orchestra booked for this Wednesday, when YES have no gig planned. As there are no vacancies till late in 2000, I guess YES will just have to come back for what some people consider the *real* Millennium...& be sure to perform 'Turn of the Century'!

Meanwhile, YES aim to go ahead with their 2nd scheduled show at the Birmingham venue tomorrow (Tuesday).

To help fans currently travelling between their place of work & the Birmingham venue, I've managed to get BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker to announce tonight's cancellation. Bless him, he even read out the venue telephone number in the event of people having questions! Here is for AMY readers (Booking Office) 0121 212 3333.