Classic prog-rock group Yes is continuing the In the Present Tour with a new North American leg of dates in winter 2009. Vocalist Benoit David will resume his duties as the stand-in for original frontman Jon Anderson.
The new round of dates begins with February 5-6 sets at Teatro Metropolitan in Del. Cuahtemoc, MEX, and concludes March 3 at Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA. The nearly 20-city outing will focus on the western states with a single show in Canada on February 15 at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC.
Highlights include a February 12 concert at Paramount Theatre in Denver, CO, a February 18 gig at Moore Theater in Seattle, WA, a February 27 set at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, and a March 2 performance at the Fillmore in San Francisco, CA.
When Yes decided to begin its tour without Anderson, who was sidelined due to acute respiratory failure earlier in the year, fans and critics wondered if the tour would be successful.
Anderson himself took offense to the revised touring plans. In a September statement on his Web site, the vocalist stated, “This is not Yes on tour,” and described himself as “disappointed and very disrespected.”
However, Rolling Stone declared the Montreal, QC-based David an adequate stand-in, stating that he was able to “expertly mimic the impossibly high-pitched vocals of original singer Jon Anderson.” And despite lacking the entire original line-up, the entertainment magazine said the new Yes concert experience was “close enough” and “sounded as majestic as ever.”
In a statement on the upcoming tour, bassist Chris Squire commented, “This is turning out to be one of the best performing line-ups in Yes’ storied history. It feels like we’re rediscovering these songs all over again, playing them ‘In the Present,’ as if for the very first time.”
In addition to David and Squire, Yes’ current touring lineup includes original members Steve Howe and Alan White, along with keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, the son of Yes’ Rick Wakeman.
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Yes itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
| February 5 – 6 | Del. Cuauhtemoc, MEX | Teatro Metropolitan |
| February 9 | Houston, TX | House of Blues |
| February 10 | Dallas, TX | House of Blues |
| February 12 | Denver, CO | Paramount Theatre |
| February 14 | Portland, OR | Aladdin Theater |
| February 15 | Vancouver, BC | Commodore Ballroom |
| February 17 | Spokane, WA | Knitting Factory Concert House |
| February 18 | Seattle, WA | Moore Theater |
| February 19 | Boise, ID | Knitting Factory Concert House |
| February 21 | Las Vegas, NV | House of Blues |
| February 22 | Anaheim, CA | House of Blues |
| February 24 | San Diego, CA | House of Blues |
| February 25 | Phoenix, AZ | Dodge Theatre |
| February 27 | Los Angeles, CA | The Wiltern |
| February 28 | Reno, NV | Grand Sierra Resort & Casino |
| March 2 | San Francisco, CA | The Fillmore |
| March 3 | Friant, CA | Table Mountain Casino |