Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Yes at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool. March 2018. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

It is the longevity of certain bands that inhabit the Progressive Rock genre that makes the prospect of certain anniversaries a moment to salivate, and whilst nothing can last forever, that at some point the world has to give way to the next generation, that age rather than the dullness of the senses is what comes for us all.

Yes at 50, if we could all utter those immortal words, Yes to everything, Yes to experience, Yes to the concept of life and seeing from the stage on high all that has gone before and the inspiration we may have left in our wake, the faces in the crowd that come to pay homage but to be part of the celebration of life. It is a life that has had various members, a variety of musicians and styles but it is one that always was considered by many as the epitome of what Progressive Rock was truly about. There have been others, many raising the high standards met by the original and follow up personal, but there can only be one way to say Yes.

The Golden years a band celebrating 50 years at the very top of their profession, the illustrious names that have been part of the line up, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, the much missed and mainstay of the group Chris Squire, Alan White, Bill Bruford, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood, to name but a few of the impressive roster of musicians that the memory held dear as the sound of The Firebird Suite echoed and resonated around the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, as the stirring notes to come held close the favourites of days gone but still clear in the mind of all, no matter what year, era or time they came to love the exquisite sound of Yes.

It is a sound driven by the exquisite, the ethereal and the touched by genius which has made Yes such a resounding listen, and as songs such as Yours Is No Disgrace, Southside of the Sky, Wondrous Stories, And You and I, Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil), Roundabout and Starship Troopers all took the Philharmonic Hall audience into places where the rapture is normally heavily reserved for, what came across was the genuine sense of admiration, of love, for the skill in the aptitude and generosity in a style of music, a standing ovation is normally ensured in such circumstances, to see one at almost every juncture in the evening is above and beyond what might be expected on such a night.

At 50 you might be forgiven for expecting a slowdown in the proceedings but if anything the night was more passionate, incredibly ardent and with Alan White performing towards the end of the evening and bravely facing down time with a storming precision filled drum set that was avidly applauded and praised.

Time catches up with all, for Yes, time is but a word in which to sing and play with in a roundabout way.

Ian D. Hall