HOT show in Lewiston

[desiderata]

Well, I mean that literally and figuratively--not only were Yes "on" tonight, it was 97 degrees at Artpark today! With the heat, humidity and threat of thunderstorms, I was worried that the show might be cancelled, considering it was an outdoor (no pavillion) show. But no, it went on as scheduled, and thank heaven that it was at least breezy. Some people I know didn't show due to the heat, but there were plenty of new and old Yes friends there. Procol Harum was really great--made me want to pick up some of their stuff that I don't have. I think they may be the most fitting opener I've seen on a Yes tour in long time.

And our band? Wow , they were amazing tonight! The setlist was:

YIND
Tempus Fugit
I've Seen All Good People
America
The Clap
Fly From Here Suite
OOALH
Heart of the Sunrise

And unfortunately, that's as far as they got before the threat of a front of serious thunderstorms cancelled the rest of the show. Steve was the one who had to break the news to the crowd and if you think we were disappointed, we had nothing on Chris! He said Steve was "just being chicken" and that they should play at least one more (bless him). Paul Silveira (their tour manager) came onstage and talked to Chris, and convinced him that it was serious, so he had to agree. In fact, the management of Artpark was so concerned, that they said anyone who needed to could take cover in the large amphitheater (located behind where this concert series takes place), and I believe they thought something serious might happen in a matter of minutes. Luckily, we made it back home without any incident, but I don't know what the weather was in Lewiston after we left. Either way, considering what happened to Yes in Oklahoma July 2010, I don't blame them at all for being cautious for themselves and the audience. Artpark's management may have also been thinking of the more recent Cheap Trick stage collapse in Ottawa in July of last year, as Cheap Trick played Artpark the following day and everyone was quite aware of the tragedy that happened the day before.

Even in its' abreviated state, the show was exceptionally amazing --the hardest thing about watching a show this good, is that while you're watching one member of the band, you're bound to be missing something wonderful that someone else is doing! Several people I spoke to before the show had never seen Jon D and had their doubts, but all I heard was extreme praise for him as we all hurried to our cars and said goodbye. He inspires me, and I can't believe how lucky I am to be watching someone who is such a perfect fit. The interplay between Steve and Chris was especially cool tonight, and they were both REALLY off the charts. Alan was faultless and in that heat, how does he do it? Geoff was even better than in Rama and I love how he puts his own spin on the material and yet stays true to the original. America was transcendent--simply the BEST I have EVER seen it. Overall, it's as if the years just fall away and throughout the show I feel like I'm watching Yes from a different era. It IS a different era, but it's happening right NOW!

Too many highlights to list, but one of them had to be Paul holding Princess Xilan on the side of the stage, as she waved the band on in the beginning--she's growing up so fast and what a beautiful girl! It was a lovely start to a very memorable show--and even if it was cut short, for $25 to be front and center to see the best band in the world tonight was quite a bargain!

[brufy]

An engaging read!

No Awaken?

AND no Roundabout?

[geofmcm]

And unfortunately, that's as far as they got before the threat of a front of serious thunderstorms cancelled the rest of the show. Steve was the one who had to break the news to the crowd and if you think we were disappointed, we had nothing on Chris! He said Steve was "just being chicken" and that they should play at least one more (bless him).

somebodies gonna say it so it might as well be me.

What no 'Into the Storm'

[HeedThisMessageTom]

Given that they've been victims of a stage collapse in the past I'm surprised Chris isn't more skittish...

[relayeire]

OOALH? :-(


Sorry this was cut short. I am firmly against outdoor shows for this very reason.

[Soleil3]

Thanks for the report.

[smatt]

Oh man that sucks... The weather I mean...

Glad it was still a great show though!

[JustAFan]

I saw Yes at Artpark during the Magnification tour. It was inside the amphitheater, so why this one wasn't there, I don't know. I briefly considered this show, briefly, but decided against it.

The weather was pretty brutal here yesterday, so that's too bad it cut the gig short. Glad you had a good time, nonetheless.

[barra1]

Thanks for the review of the show and events, pity crowd did not get to hear Awaken but understandable why. Great to hear continuing to play really well. So looking forwards to hearing America when I go see them again with in a few weeks.

[smatt]

Iv'e probably seen Steve play "Clap" 40 or 50 time sover the years.. And I still never tire of hearing it...

From Lewiston last night..

[JimSVoit]

Great show at the Artpark!!! I had an awesome time with a friend of mine. I'm glad to have turned him on to Yes and he was referencing melodies to Fly From Here the whole ride home (2 hour drive)...lol


It's always a surreal feeling to see Yes live and tonight was no exception. The Artpark is a great place to see a show! One of the coolest and most memorable aspects of the evening for me was when each of the members came walking down this walkway right behind a metal fence and proceeded to walk up the stairs to the stage. I got a chance to see each member come up one by one...it's hard to explain how cool this really was. The band gathered up underneath a little waiting area to the left of the stage while the intro. music played (I'm not sure what piece of classical music this was...but it sounded great). I noticed Chris getting amped up under this little roofed area...kind of kicking his feet and moving his shoulders up and down....so cool! The band came on to a great applause and basically....played a great show!


Jon Davison sounded fantastic....the whole band sounded awesome.


God, I love Yes. They're still such a powerful band that still has a lot to say musically. I could sense that tonight. They were adding in little nuances to the songs...notably on Fly From Here (my personal favorite of the night).


The night unfortunately came to a sudden unexpected halt when Steve came to the microphone and said that the band was asked to cut it short due to an incoming storm that was clearly approaching (dark, ominous looking clouds and lightning moving in...)


The last song they played was Heart of the Sunrise....and boy was it great!!!!! The song I was looking forward to hearing the most live, Awaken, was due to be played next I believe...but the circumstances with the weather were obviously something that couldn't be changed in the end.


If Awaken was to be anything like the songs they'd already played, it would have been a sight to see!!! It seemed like the band was flying on all cylinders by the time Heart of the Sunrise was over with.


Here's to a wonderful night of great Yes music....♥

[desiderata]

Thanks everybody for your comments, just wanted to add this link to another glowing review:

http://niagara-gazette.com/nightandd...s-Artpark-show

and especially to draw attention to the following quote:

"Shortly after the band performed "Heart of the Sunrise," the band informed the audience that they were ordered to end the show because of an approaching electrical storm. From my vantage point, I could see Howe asking if the band could play "Roundabout," a request that was denied.

As he was asking there was lightning flashing in the distance, providing proof that the decision to end the show early was a prudent one."

Although I didn't see Steve ask about it, I'm not surprised that Chris was not the only one trying to leave the crowd with one more, and I know they all looked disappointed to have to leave the stage. Besides, no matter how many songs they do, I always wish it was more, because I need my Yes fix and they are addictive...

[luvyesmusic]

I was really happy for you until I read that your show was cut short. :-( You, my big YESfan, deserved the whole enchilada with extra cheese and sour cream. I could still feel your smile while you were typing your experience; but, you deserved more. You, rock! You could have bitched and moaned like all the "pinheads" out there but instead, you enjoyed what was given. YES still rocks!

[EricWise]

This is a video of Heart of the Sunrise, made by a friend of mine from the front row. The sound is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwhpk...ature=youtu.be

America:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQXJc...ature=youtu.be

[EricWise]

All Good People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh30Y...ature=youtu.be

[Mr. Holland]

Well....sounds like Yes blew everyone away once more.....(lame I know)...LOL

A little surprised to see Owner back and sorry the people out there did not get a chance to see/hear 'Awaken'.

[smatt]

Hmm, is it just me or is the overall sound mix much better... It seems far mroe consistant from Youcrap to Youcrap, show to show....

[EricWise]

I haven't seen them since Fall 2004 but I thought the mix was tremendous when I saw them last Sunday night. One of the other posts said something about seeing "Clair Brothers" were doing their sound. Weren't they Yes' sound guys in the 70's glory days? Here's another vid, this one's Tempus Fugit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLbxGGkRUqg

[the greenman]

Thanks for posting the vids Eric! Shame we were denied the opportunity to see Awaken from this vantage!

Odd to these British eyes to see no kind of stage canopy at all, but I guess it generally not needed! Someone has indeed mentioned Clair Bro's & yes they were THE men from the 70s!

[desiderata]

I was really happy for you until I read that your show was cut short. :-( You, my big YESfan, deserved the whole enchilada with extra cheese and sour cream. I could still feel your smile while you were typing your experience; but, you deserved more. You, rock! You could have bitched and moaned like all the "pinheads" out there but instead, you enjoyed what was given. YES still rocks!

Yes, they do--and so do you! Coming from one of the best Yesfans I know that's much appreciated. It takes a person who rocks to know a person who rocks, or something like that...