So, what is wrong with Denver? [Archive] - Yesfans.com: Founded 4/01

yesskater

05-10-2002, 01:50 AM

yesindeed -

To answer your question, Denver is not exactly a YES-favorable town. This July's show will be my 14th overall, and my 6th in Colorado. I have seen YES a total of 13 times in four time zones in the US, and, if I may be so bold, Denver has the LOWEST amount of Yesfans of any of the regions that I've been in. I'm not saying they're aren't harcore YESfans here; but the numbers pale in comparison to other places I've been. I grew up near St. Louis, was stationed in California and Maryland for a few years in the Air Force, and I assure you that the fans in the other regions (particularly the East Coast) are more devoted to our band than they are here. I've been here almost 10 years, and it saddens me to go to brilliant YESshows here and see moderate to thin crowds turn out. From a selfish point of view, this has enabled me to get within the first 15 rows of every show; however, my heart goes out to YES when they take the stage to do 2-2 1/2 hours of their brilliance, and the empty seats are quite prevalent. I always see the same people at every show. The camraderie is nice, but I'd like to see YES sell out here. I pray before every tour that they do pass by here. I had to go to Phoenix for The Ladder tour, but every other one since 93 (when I moved here) has come to town.
Even in 2002, Denver is still quite the "cowtown." The Dixie Chicks, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks and (insert country artist here) will sell out any given date. The ONLY sellouts of what I consider "respectable" artists since 1997 have been U2 and Paul McCartney. Rush does fairly well when they come here, but other than that Denver is just not a progressive-music oriented city.
Another example I'd like to use is the posting on this great site. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe myself and HypatiaMarshall are the ONLY Colorado-based posters here. That's pretty sad.
I hope this helps your query. Please keep in mind that:

1) I got wise two years ago and moved from Denver to near BOULDER, the coolest city on the planet, and
2) I ALWAYS play YES music at BBQs and other events to sell my buds on it (beyond Owner of a Lonely Heart), and
3) Every girlfriend I've taken to the show has said "Oh, I like them, they're very well-mannered and the music's nice."
4) I tend to crank YESYEARS CDs from my Jeep with the top down.

So I'm doing my best to spread the YES word. I hope they come to your neck of the woods, maybe Toronto/Buffalo?

Quickly - speaking of Ticketbastard - I tried to get tix to my 20th concert by your brilliant neighbors (neighbours) in Toronto, namely Geddy, Alex and Neil, and their internet presaled requires a "priorty code" which is bullsh*t because I know the scalpers and other corporate jerks (and this is coming from a Republican accountant) have first dibs on the good seats. I think if Neil Peart knew about this, he would be incensed. The YES internet presale had NO priority code.