2016 SUMMER TOUR “THE ALBUM SERIES” OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY

YES recently kicked off its 2016 U.S. summer tour, billed as “The Album Series: Drama + Topographic 1 & 4.” The “Evening With Yes” shows begin with the 1980 album DRAMA performed in its entirety followed by sides one and four of 1973’s double album TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS as well as selections of the band’s greatest hits throughout. In a glowing review of last night’s Lynn, MA show, theBoston Globe’s Steve Smith said, “Where those album recitals proved the present Yes equal to mighty acts of reanimation, the band’s approach to canonical hits was equallycommanding. ‘I’ve Seen All Good People’ and ‘Siberian Khatru’ closed the first set, ‘And You and I’ opened the second, and inevitably ‘Roundabout’ and ‘Starship Trooper’ arrived in the encore; this vital, hungry combo–not least a visibly animated [Steve] Howe–played it all with infectious gusto. Finding enduring fire even in thrice-familiar fare: it’s this, more than which players turn up or what songs they pick, that will ensure Yes’s staying power” (8/5/16).

Of the DRAMA set performed 7/28 in Northfield, OH, Greg Drugan from Neo Music Scene noted, “[The band] didn’t take a pause until the entire thirty-six minute album wasflawlessly played.” (7/30/16). Tim Darbyshire from Progressive Music Review added, “After a rousing double encore of ‘Roundabout’ and ‘Starship Trooper’ the enthusiastic crowd left happy, knowing that once again YES had undoubtedly delivered” (8/4/16). See below for the tour’s set list.

Visually, YES has stepped up the production on this summer’s outing courtesy of video designer Andy Clark and lighting designer Don Weeks with multiple video feeds featuring Roger Dean imagery, from waterfalls and floating islands to topographic landscapes, bioluminescence, deep sea creatures, jellyfish, and marine life. The visual experience–which Michael Hujsa from The Valley Ledger described as “a stunning 20′ tall digital light display that illuminated the center to a cheerful crowd (8/1/16)–is capped by pyrotechnics at the climax to the “Ritual” crescendo.