It was a dull but warm evening as I strolled up the stairs to the impressive Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This venue always promises a good concert experience. I wandered through to the merch desk and bought a tour shirt and baseball cap. There was a large display of various sized prints by Roger Dean, who has been involved with Yes since their 1971 album Fragile. It was nice to see these iconic images in person. The prints were available in a range of prices, and I almost bought one.
The main event began with the dramatic sounds of “Machine Messiah”. It was a joy to watch Steve Howe on guitar, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jay Schellen on drums, Billy Sherwood on bass, and the fabulous Jon Davison on vocals. The band was on point with their playing and vocal harmonies. They let us know “It Will Be a Good Day”, and it was, as they launched into “Going For the One”. The night couldn’t have started better.
We traveled back to 1971 for one of my favourites, “I’ve Seen All Good People”, a seven-minute piece of perfection. It was a pure joy to watch and listen to, with the sound from the band and the Royal Concert Hall being tremendous. I was spoiled for choice with another favourite, “Don’t Kill the Whale,” from 1978’s Tormato. The sublime guitar and bass opening, combined with Geoff’s stunning keyboard work, made this track a highlight of the evening.
An acoustic beginning to the first half closer, with the stunning “Turn of the Century”. This song’s peaceful, tranquil vibe, carried by the guitar, keyboards, and Jon’s amazing vocals, provided a beautiful end to the first half of the setlist.
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After a 20-minute break, wind and thunder sounds herald the start of set two with “South Side of the Sky”. This is followed by “Cut from the Stars”, the only track from last year’s stunning Mirror To The Sky album, showcasing a modern Yes sound that is no less brilliant live.
We then travel back to 1973 for a piece from the masterpiece album Tales from Topographic Oceans. The band masterfully condenses this 80-minute album into a 20-minute section, transforming it into a fantastic, flowing musical journey that pays tribute to a stunning work.
Afterward, the band heads off for the obligatory encore and returns with a stunning version of “Roundabout”. The crowd, passionate all night, is on their feet, bouncing and cheering. It’s another highlight, a joyful singalong song that leaves everyone smiling.
The evening concludes with a full-on version of “Starship Trooper”. The entire venue is now on their feet, bouncing along. It’s been a night of full sensory immersion into the world of Yes, with stunning vocals, harmonies, and musicianship that is hard to equal.
I head to the train with my oldest son, who was also at the gig, with a smile on my face, humming Yes tunes. This is a concert that will be hard to beat this year.
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Photos by Gary Cooper
