Yes - Tavistock Wharf, 13 June 2022

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Tavistock Wharf is not the sort of venue you normally expect to find a band like Yes. With a capacity of less than 400 they normally cater for tribute bands (ok, cue the inevitable jokes).
This was a pre-tour show, a warm up gig for their Close to the Edge 50th anniversary tour. It was announced at quite short notice, I bought my ticket the day Alan White died, and it was dedicated to his memory.

The advantage of a small venue like this is that you get really close to the band. You could see every expression and the signals going between the band. It was quite a different experience to what the main tour shows will be. What really interested me was the interplay between the band.

While Steve was in charge as you’d expect, it seemed to me that Billy Sherwood was the one holding everything together, signaling the changes as they happened. Jay Schellen was beaming like a big kid most of the time, but you could see he was mouthing like crazy in some sections, then I realised he was counting hard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…

Geoff Downes was supremely nonchalant, done it all before many times, while Steve Howe’s expressions were priceless. The faces he pulled while playing were amazing, questioning, surprised, smiling, frowning, he could be a rubber-faced comedian like Les Dawson (Brits will know who I mean).

Music - they kicked off with On the silent wings of freedom, which was in interesting choice. Steve said they hadn’t played that live since the 70s. They played a lot off Fragile and the Yes album, plus one off Time and a Word (can’t remember the name now).

A couple off the new album, plus Close to the Edge in entirety. Steve announced Close to the Edge and Jay Schellen clicked them in immediately, forgetting the bird song introduction, apparently that was how they’d rehearsed. 

I’ve never seen Yes before - I had a ticket for the 90125 tour, but couldn’t go. It’s obviously a very different band now to what they were, but a really good show, and nice to see how the band works together from close up.

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timbo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 04 2013 Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote timbo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Yes - Tavistock Wharf, 13 June 2022 Posted: June 15 2022 at 13:30
	Tavistock Wharf is not the sort of venue you normally expect to find a band like Yes. With a capacity of less than 400 they normally cater for tribute bands (ok, cue the inevitable jokes). This was a pre-tour show, a warm up gig for their Close to the Edge 50th anniversary tour. It was announced at quite short notice, I bought my ticket the day Alan White died, and it was dedicated to his memory. The advantage of a small venue like this is that you get really close to the band. You could see every expression and the signals going between the band. It was quite a different experience to what the main tour shows will be. What really interested me was the interplay between the band. While Steve was in charge as you’d expect, it seemed to me that Billy Sherwood was the one holding everything together, signaling the changes as they happened. Jay Schellen was beaming like a big kid most of the time, but you could see he was mouthing like crazy in some sections, then I realised he was counting hard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… Geoff Downes was supremely nonchalant, done it all before many times, while Steve Howe’s expressions were priceless. The faces he pulled while playing were amazing, questioning, surprised, smiling, frowning, he could be a rubber-faced comedian like Les Dawson (Brits will know who I mean). Music - they kicked off with On the silent wings of freedom, which was in interesting choice. Steve said they hadn’t played that live since the 70s. They played a lot off Fragile and the Yes album, plus one off Time and a Word (can’t remember the name now). A couple off the new album, plus Close to the Edge in entirety. Steve announced Close to the Edge and Jay Schellen clicked them in immediately, forgetting the bird song introduction, apparently that was how they’d rehearsed. I’ve never seen Yes before - I had a ticket for the 90125 tour, but couldn’t go. It’s obviously a very different band now to what they were, but a really good show, and nice to see how the band works together from close up.

Cosmiclawnmower Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 09 2010 Location: West Country,UK Status: Online Points: 3041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cosmiclawnmower Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 17 2022 at 14:42
	Wow.. I know the Tavistock Wharf, not a million miles from us but i had no idea Yes were playing there!! Steve Howe is based in North Devon so not too far for him to travel... ive got really out of touch with whats happening locally, missed out there. Although i wouldnt bother to see Yes (now) in a larger venue i would certainly liked to have experienced them in a small venue like the Wharf! I saw them at Powderham Castle, Exeter in 2004 and i know Steve pops into a friends record shop in Exeter fairly regularly.. Thanks for your review, sounds like a great show! Edited by Cosmiclawnmower - June 17 2022 at 14:44


timbo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 04 2013 Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote timbo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 18 2022 at 13:39
	The gig was quite short notice. I assume they were rehearsing in Devon, with Steve being based in N Devon, and decided to do a trial gig before the main tour. That said, Steve still got the town wrong when he introduced the gig, he said “Welcome Tiverton!” I know it’s another town in Devon beginning with T, but you’d think if he lives locally he’d know the difference

Cosmiclawnmower Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 09 2010 Location: West Country,UK Status: Online Points: 3041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cosmiclawnmower Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 18 2022 at 14:15
	I dunno.. i think most people in Devon get Barnstaple and Bideford mixed up


Rick1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 14 2020 Location: Loughborough UK Status: Offline Points: 2792	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rick1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 21 2022 at 07:05
	Thanks for the review. I was really toying with seeing them, wish I had now.