The State Theatre Sydney
Friday 13th April, 2012.
English progressive band Yes were last in Australia in 2003. Since then the line up has changed again. New vocalist, Jon Davidson, from Los Angeles has replaced Jon Anderson and keyboardist Geoff Downes has replaced the legendary Rick Wakeman. Geoff was also in a band called Asia with Yes master craftsman and guitar wizard Steve Howe. No Asia hits were getting aired this evening though. The keyboard rig set up for Geoff was hugely overblown with a total of nine keyboards stacked three racks a side making up an open square configuration. Yep, one hand on one keyboard, the other on another one, then for a different sound, over to another, almost pirouetting with a web cam feeding the keyboard skills up onto a large projection screen.
The keyboardist wearing a large, red, flowing coat during these tasks spelt out progressive rock loudly. Long serving bassist Chris Squire was still in the line up, giving some nuance and bass power to proceedings. Finally, drummer Alan White, who has recorded with some pretty big names, casually played some very tasty drum fills. The show was a two part performance with an interval and no support act. The audience was an interesting crossover between progressive rock and jazz fusion fans. They all came to see Yes demonstrate their clearly vast experience of performing some classic songs from the seventies and to be musically hypnotised in the ensuing event.
Once the show kicked off to huge applause with ‘Yours Is No Disgrace’ they delved into a zigzagging across the decades, playing new material as well. Steve sat down after several songs to play an acoustic guitar solo spot medley. The sounds he plucked out along with jazz chord comping and some speedy guitar runs put some young guns to shame. So much taste, finesse and musicality, for guitar heads, it was a highlight. Whilst playing electrics or a semi acoustic he also had a stand mounted amplified acoustic guitar. Steve’s guitar tech alternated various guitars during songs quickly and on cue.
Some songs did have the odd segments that veered off on tangent of jazz fusion experimentation but then they have earned the right to do it without sounding pretentious. Although a couple of parts were a little atonal or strange. It set a mood. Bassist Chris Squire moved around a bit with his hefty frame whilst Jon sang in time or nursed a
tambourine whilst doing harmony vocals. He even strummed an acoustic guitar at times.
Of course, Yes album artwork is well known so the backdrops naturally changed within the context of songs. If you know the artwork, we’re talking mountains, waterfalls and striking colours. There were also some video clips for songs from the new album ‘Free to Fly’ when, in the second set, a five part song expedition or overture showed how they’ve evolved sonically over the decades. A core theme flowed in and out of the instrumentation changes to achieve an epic expanse of music. They pushed the friendship with another new song but fortunately the old classics soon came tumbling out. ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ had Steve Howe enthusiastically leaning into the riff and ‘Starship Trooper’ closed the second act or set. The latter included a jazzy outro and plenty of musical self indulgences allowed before the concert ending encore of ‘Roundabout’ At this point the entire crowd were up and on their feet. Geoff Downes with a keytar was a bit much though.
At their age, being able to play recorded songs from decades ago with fast passages and minor changes in arrangements, shows their amazing musical skills. That they are still reasonably active on the live front is impressive. Yes also understand the benefits of reigned in virtuosity to make the song the main priority. Some Opeth and Porcupine Tree fans were at this show, most certainly learning a thing or two about their musical elders. Great stuff.
Setlist:
Yours Is No Disgrace
Tempus Fugit
I’ve Seen All Good People
Life On A Film Set
Steve Howe solo.
And You And I
Fly From Here Overture:
Part 1 – We Can Fly
Part 2 – Sad Night At The Airfield
Part 3 – Madman At The Screens
Part 4 – Bumpy Ride
Part 5 – We Can Fly
Wonderous Stories
Into The Storm
Heart Of The Sunrise
Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Starship Trooper
Roundabout