Relayer Out - CTTE In

[Bad Wolf]

A change in the Complete Albums Tour for 2022:

Progressive pioneers YES today announce a change to their forthcoming “The Album Series Tour 2022” as they will celebrate the 50th anniversary their iconic album “Close to the Edge”. This tour, twice rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic was intended to showcase YES‘ 1974 classic “Relayer” album but will now feature “Close to the Edge”, performed in full, along with other classic tracks from YES‘ extensive catalogue.

An announcement regarding the European dates will be made shortly.

The tour line-up features Steve Howe (guitars), Alan White (drums), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals) with additional drums and percussion by Jay Schellen. All tour dates are as previously announced and all tickets remain valid. A full performance of the “Relayer” album will now be featured in a future tour in The Album Series.

The show will comprise full production and a high-definition video wall directed by Roger Dean who will also be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art.

[yesmike0215]

Ah, kinda disappointing, but I get it. But hey, it’s better than not playing live at all! I’ll take what I can get from Yes these days.

[Ash Armstrong]

Is this for real?

[Bad Wolf]

It's on Yesworld

[Chris2210]

I'm out.

Definitely [more than 10 characters].

[Ash Armstrong]

I hadn't made up my mind about going. I was curious to hear how they would tackle and overcome Relayer's demands, while fearing they might not come up to snuff.
I guess my last Yesshow will now remain 2014.
I know a lot of fans of my vintage were looking forward to the Relayer shows, so even with the reverence and love we have for Close to the Edge, I fear a lot of folks will feel disappointed.

[soundchaser09]

thats really disappointing but understandable, I hope The Quest gets a fair outing!

[Close to the Edge 72]

They are likely releasing a CTTE box set so it's all about the marketing. I'm just not sure why they didn't do both, since they have done three albums before in one show. But, if they do Sound Chaser I'll still be very happy. I can never get upset about them playing CTTE in full, since it is their masterpiece.

[madbear]

I'm pretty pissed off about this, I have to say. I bought front row tickets in London to see Relayer. Whilst I love Close to the Edge, all three tracks have been played live over the years and I'm not sure I need to hear them instead of To Be Over and Sound Chaser. I have to say I wonder if the band haven't been able to make it work in rehearsals; cancelling it to flog box sets is a bit cynical. (And what will be in a CTTE box?) I really don't want to hear stuff from The Quest either.

[Mr. Holland]

As much as I love CTTE, this is huge disappointment. The CTTE songs have been played many times, and the whole album was played in 2014. Both Soundchaser and To Be Over from Relayer haven't been played since 1976.

[luna65]

I have to say I wonder if the band haven't been able to make it work in rehearsals; cancelling it to flog box sets is a bit cynical.

Yeah I'm wondering that too.

[altaeria]

BREAKING NEWS:
They will also play "I've Seen All Good People".

[Ash Armstrong]

BREAKING NEWS:
They will also play "I've Seen All Good People".

Well, that's something. Maybe they'll manage Roundabout as well.

[Gilly Goodness]

Bummer. Was looking forward to watching videos of their performance of Relayer. This is boilin' my strawberries! 😡

[bondegezou]

Odd.

I don't know what's up, but here are some theories...

1. It is the 50th anniversary: that's worth marking... and marketing.

2. Ticket sales may be poor: us, the hardcore, would rather have Relayer, but maybe most of the ticket-buying audience know CttE better?

3. Rehearsing is going badly: none of them have played live for a fair while, the longest period off ever in their careers. Maybe Relayer is just too difficult an album to start back with.

They could all be true, of course. Or it could be something else. I am speculating wildly!

What I find odd is the non-announcement about the other European dates. The announcement covers the UK and Ireland, but not the earlier continental dates. News on those is to follow. Why would news on those follow later? Might those go ahead with Relayer still? (That would rule out theory 3, and doesn't fit that well with the other theories.) Might they be cancelled because of poor ticket sales (which would fit theory 2)? I thought people were itching to get back to live music, so ticket sales should be good, but maybe the European Yes demographic are still wary of COVID-19.

It's also been noted that the set has time to play all of Relayer and CttE. Theories 1 and 2 wouldn't rule out playing both, so is that evidence for theory 3?