YES are to play York Barbican next spring, but no, not the ‘Yes’ that performed there in June 29018 under the name Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, as they now have to call themselves.
No, this Yes is the one that officially tours as Yes, with Steve Howe on guitars, Alan White on drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and backing vocals, Jon Davison on vocals and Jay Schellen on additional drums and percussion.
This Yes are booked into the Barbican for May 29 2020 as part of an eight-date May and June itinerary for The Album Series 2020 Tour, when the prog-rock veterans will perform 1974’s Relayer in its entirety, preceded by a set of Yes classic cuts. Expect “full production and a high definition video wall”.
Released on Atlantic Records in late 1974, Yes’s seventh studio album marked a slight change in direction as Patrick Moraz replaced Rick Wakeman on keyboards, bringing “an edgier, avant-garde feel” to the recordings.
The opening Gates Of Delirium, almost 22 minutes in length, battle scene et al, featured Moraz’s keyboard jousting with Howe’s guitar before the battle gave way to the ballad Soon, a prayer for peace and hope.
Further highlights on an album that reached number four in the British chart and number five in the US Billboard chart were Sound Chaser, a prog rock/jazz fusion experiment heavily influenced by Moraz’s style, and To Be Over, the calm and gentle closer, based on a Howe melody.
“We’re really looking forward to playing all of the Relayer album,” says Howe. “Having premiered The Gates Of Delirium this year, we continue by expanding our Album Series with all the tracks: The Gates Of Delirium, Sound Chaser and To Be Over.”
Howe adds: “During the first half of the evening, we’ll be performing a refined selection from Yes’s enormous 50-year repertoire. See you there.”
Drummer Alan White says: “I always enjoy coming home to England, so I’m especially looking forward to Yes’s upcoming Album Series 2020 tour. Relayer, I believe, is one of the most creative and interesting musical compilations in the band’s repertoire.
“Challenging and extremely enjoyable to play, I’m happy to be bringing this music back to live stages throughout Europe. I hope all who attend our shows will enjoy these cuts as much as we like performing them for our audiences.”
Tickets for Yes’s 8pm show are on sale on 0203 356 5441, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.
Did you know?
ROGER Dean, designer of Yes’s iconic album artwork, will attend every show of the 2020 British and European dates. An exhibition of his work will be on show, and Dean will be available to chat with fans front of house, sign merchandise and take part in VIP meet and greets.
Charles Hutchinson