22 years, 10 months ago Tuesday, December 11, 2001 Sheffield, United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall 2,100 capacity
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Mark Watterson Coming from Sheffield I just have to see Yes in my hometown every time this was luckily the third visit in four years and the best. I always take the day off and get down to see the band arrive,I have aquired some great shots over the years. I was a little late this year arriving at 4.30 and Steve and Alan were both in. However I managed to meet Chris who was as friendly as ever. He had gone in through another door but came out the back and asked the 8 of us gathered if we wanted anything signing and he duly obliged. I asked permission to take several photos to which he replied "sure go ahead". He also posed for one with me. I have to say every time I have met him he is always so obliging. I also managed to chat to Tom Breslin who seemed more than happy to stand and talk with us,when someone asked his age though he said he liked to keep it a mystery but admitted to being in his twenties. Are we getting Gates tonight was a standard question,Chris said we will have to ask Jon,however Tom said I think you have a good chance tonight. Finally with only five of us still there Jon arrived in a black coat and white polo neck jumper. He just appeared out of nowhere weaving between two tightly parked lorries. He was late as it was nearing seven o'clock. I am late he said but still waved at the camera as I asked him to pose for a picture. It was the first time I have seen him arrive without Jane. In fact I didn't see her at all during the show and Jon made no referance to her either. Regarding the show we got the lot Gates and all. This made up for missing it out at the Nottingham show I went to. I was on the third row and during all Good People and Roundabout for the third Sheffield show in a row I went to the edge of the stage and got some great pictures. This was my 13th Yes Show and the Best yet Who said 13 is an unlucky number,mind you as I am not going to Newcastle or Manchester so it looks like I will be stuck on 13 for a while yet. Sheffield Yes Fan Richard Stott How fucking excellent was that? I've just got back from the gig and I must say I am in total awe. This is the first Yes gig I've seen so I may be a little biased. The band were unbelievably on form, the orchestra was terrific and the sound was huge.The band and orchestra were both icredibly tight, particularly considering the complex stops and starts in some of the songs and how many musicians were playing at once. They played 'Gates'!!! Looks like whoever said they were only doing it every other show was wrong. 'Ritual' was amazing, I've never been a big fan of 'Topographic' but the Bass solo and percussion feature were fantastic. We were sat five rows from the front of the stage directly in front of Chris Squire, and what a stage persona that man has, not sure about the dress sense but the dancing was ace! Jon was his usual cheerful scatty self, forgetting the name of the new album and such... Steve played fantastcally and even seemed to be getting into it at one point. Anyboby who says Alan White is past his best must be talking about a different drummer because the guy I saw tonight was on top form, although he did look a bit knackered by the end. Tom Brislin is mad!!! He plays Wakeman and Moraz not only authentically, but with authentic sounds to boot. The only down side about tonight is that every gig I ever see from now on will be over shadowed by this one!!!!! |