Yes Are Back On Stage: Why This Tour Actually Matters

Yes are returning to the road with fresh energy, deep cuts and prog epics. Here’s what fans need to know about the new live era.

If youve scrolled even once through music TikTok or classic rock Twitter in the last few weeks, youve probably seen it: fans losing their minds because Yes are gearing up for another run of shows and proving prog isnt just alive  its mutating in real time. Old-school heads are talking about 1970s-level playing, younger fans are posting first-concert reaction videos, and people who thought theyd never get a chance to hear these songs live are suddenly hunting for tickets.

This isnt just another legacy act cash-in. For Yes, every tour is basically a live laboratory: new arrangements, surprise deep cuts, and a constant debate over which era of the band gets the spotlight. If youre wondering whats actually going on, what the setlist looks like, and why Reddit is arguing about which lineup is the real Yes again, heres the full breakdown.

The Backstory: Breaking News in Detail

Yes are in one of the strangest positions in rock: theyre a band whose peak albums came out more than 40 years ago, but their live shows keep getting picked apart online like brand-new releases. Over the last touring cycle, the group  currently anchored by Steve Howe with Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen  has been rotating between classic album sets and more career-spanning shows that pull in different eras.

In recent months, the big headline in Yes circles has been their commitment to bringing full-album or near-full-album experiences back into the show while still sneaking in newer material from records like The Quest and Mirror to the Sky. In interviews with UK rock press and specialist prog outlets, members of the band have hinted that they see this phase as less of a retro lap and more of a chance to lock in the current lineups identity. The subtext is clear: if you wrote this band off as a revolving-door tribute act, theyre actively trying to change your mind on stage.

On the business side, the official live hub at YesWorld has been updating with fresh dates in waves rather than dropping a single, massive list all at once. Thats had two effects: first, it keeps the buzz going every time a new city appears online; second, it has fans in markets like the US Midwest and parts of Europe obsessively refreshing the page to see if their city makes the cut. Threads on fan forums show people already mapping out road trips between shows, especially for the more historically important venues.

The other piece of context: Yes are now firmly in the era where every tour feels like it could be the last for at least one member. Fans know this. The band knows this. Thats part of why discussions around song choices hit so hard emotionally. When people see a track like Close to the Edge or The Gates of Delirium on a setlist, theres a sense of, I cant skip this tour; I might not get another shot. Older fans are re-buying tickets for cities theyve already seen, while younger fans are treating it like a kind of prog rite of passage.

Zooming out, theres also a generational shift going on. Yes were never designed for playlist culture, but TikTok clips of Roundabout bass breaks and wild Roger Dean visuals have quietly introduced the band to Gen Z. Add in YouTube reactors losing it over the key change in And You and I, and you get a weird but powerful crossover moment where people who grew up on hyperpop and math rock are suddenly curious about 20-minute prog epics played by a band of veterans.

Thats the headspace Yes are walking into: a mix of deep nostalgia, cautious curiosity, and a genuinely new wave of listeners. The upcoming dates carry extra weight because every show now functions as both a reunion for longtime fans and an entry point for people who discovered the band through an algorithm, not a record store.

The Setlist & Show: What to Expect

If youre the kind of fan who zooms straight to setlist sites after every show, Yes tours are basically a seasonal sport. Looking at recent runs, a few patterns emerge that give a strong clue of what you can expect on the upcoming dates.

The spine of the night is still built around the holy trinity of Fragile, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One. Songs like Roundabout, Long Distance Runaround, And You and I, Siberian Khatru, and the full Close to the Edge suite remain almost untouchable. Theyre the tracks where even casual fans recognize the riffs instantly, and theyre also the pieces where this lineup can flex its technical side without losing the crowd.

Recent shows have typically opened with something that sets a cinematic mood  often Machine Messiah from Drama or the full Close to the Edge track up front. That move does two things: it tells hardcore fans, We see you, and it immediately throws newer listeners into the deep end of what Yes actually are. No easing you in with radio edits; theyre starting with the long-form epics.

Deeper into the set, the band often slides into mid-period songs like Dont Kill the Whale, Wonderous Stories, or Parallels, depending on the theme of the tour. On recent album-support tours, tracks from The Quest like The Ice Bridge and Dare to Know, and from Mirror to the Sky like the title track, have held their own next to the classics. Live videos from European dates show that while some older fans take those songs as bathroom break opportunities, others are pleasantly shocked at how heavy and melodic the new material feels when its not compressed through streaming.

In terms of atmosphere, Yes shows in 20252026-era production lean heavily on immersive visuals rather than pyrotechnics. Expect projected Roger Dean art morphing behind the band, celestial color palettes during And You and I, and more abstract, digital patterns for the newer songs. Its more like stepping into a moving album sleeve than a classic rock light show.

The pacing of the night still respects the old-school prog ritual: long piece, shorter song, instrumental flex moment, ballad-ish breather, then a final run of epics and hits. The expected encore one-two punch is usually Starship Trooper and Roundabout. If youve never been in a room of people singing In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking at full volume, its weirder and more emotional than youd think.

One big thing to know going in: Jon Davison has fully settled into frontman mode. Online discourse still revolves around comparisons to Jon Anderson, but live clips from recent tours show Davison leaning into his own phrasing and stage presence instead of simply mimicking the classic delivery. That evolution has made songs like Heart of the Sunrise feel slightly re-framed live  same notes, different emotional color.

Instrumentally, this lineup feels especially locked in on the rhythmic side. Jay Schellen and Billy Sherwood have turned the bottom end into something that can pivot from delicate to absolutely crushing in a few bars, which is critical on songs like Tempus Fugit or Yours Is No Disgrace. Steve Howes guitar tone remains divisive online (some love the brittle, cutting sound; others wish for more 1970s warmth), but no one is questioning the accuracy or inventiveness of the playing. Youre not getting a nostalgia-slowed version of these songs; tempos are surprisingly close to album speed.

So if you grab a ticket, expect a show that feels like a curated tour of the Yes universe: cornerstone epics, at least one or two surprises for the diehards, a taste of the newer records, and an encore designed to send everyone out buzzing and slightly stunned that those arrangements can still be pulled off live.

Rumor Mill: What Fans Are Speculating

Prog fandom has always been a little conspiratorial, and Yes fans might be the world champions. Scroll Reddit or specialist Facebook groups for five minutes and youll see the same hot topics come up over and over again as this new round of live dates takes shape.

1. Will they play a full classic album again?
One of the most popular theories is that were heading toward another album in full tour. Because the band has already done complete performances of Close to the Edge, Fragile, Going for the One, and others on past cycles, the speculation now tilts toward slightly less obvious contenders: Drama, Relayer, or even a deep cut fan dream like Tales from Topographic Oceans (which still splits the fanbase straight down the middle).

On Reddit, you see people reading way too much into offhand interview mentions of specific songs. If Steve Howe casually praises The Gates of Delirium in one Q&A, a dozen threads pop up predicting a full Relayer showcase. Thats the vibe right now: one quote becomes fuel for weeks of setlist fantasy drafts.

2. Are more US and UK dates about to drop?
Because the official YesWorld live page has been adding shows in phases, a lot of fans are convinced theres a second wave of North American dates that hasnt been announced yet. TikTok clips from recent tours with captions like They HAVE to bring this to the West Coast or When is this coming back to Manchester? add pressure. Some users even claim to have inside info from local venue staff that Yes holds are on the calendar for late in the year  nothing confirmed, but the rumor is sticky enough to keep people watching.

3. Ticket price drama
No modern tour escapes The Discourse around ticket prices. For Yes, the arguments center on whether a band with this lineup and legacy should be charging arena-level prices for theatre or hall shows. On one side, you have fans pointing out that this is a rare chance to see genuinely demanding music played live by its originators, and that production, travel and crew costs have exploded. On the other, some longtime fans on fixed incomes feel locked out of seats theyd occupied in the 1990s without thinking twice.

Workarounds are already part of the fan playbook: Reddit advice threads push people toward last-minute resale drops, less obvious cities where prices dip, or upper-balcony seats in venues with great sound. Theres also a running tip to check the official page frequently, since some shows quietly release production holds closer to the date.

4. Surprise guest appearances?
Any time a legacy band tours, rumors about former members popping up for a song or two start circulating. With Yes, talk often turns to whether any alumni might make spot appearances in specific cities. Theres no confirmed evidence of that, but a couple of fans claim to have heard from friends of friends that certain past contributors have kept in touch with the current camp.

The more realistic version of this fantasy is a subtle tribute moment rather than a full-on reunion: a segment dedicated to the late Alan White, or a short video montage tied to a key song. Fans keep pitching ideas online, and the band has occasionally responded in past tours with tasteful nods rather than headline-grabbing stunts.

5. Is a new studio album quietly in the works?
Every time Yes ramp up touring, another question follows: does that mean new music is brewing? Interviews around Mirror to the Sky suggested there were extra ideas floating around that didnt make the album sequence. Combine that with their recent creative pace and you get threads speculating that the band may be road-testing sections of future material disguised as extended intros or outros to existing tracks.

To be clear, theres no public confirmation of a new album cycle yet. But hardcore fans watch for tiny changes in arrangements like detectives. A new chord sequence in an old song? A slightly different atmospheric intro? For some, thats enough to fuel a theory that were hearing warm-ups for whatever comes next.

Key Dates & Facts at a Glance

Exact dates shift as new legs get added, but heres a snapshot-style guide to how the current Yes live era looks and what you should be watching for. Always cross-check with the official site before you book anything.

Region	Typical Window	Venue Style	Notes
United States (East Coast)	Spring & early Summer runs	Theatres, historic halls, select mid-size arenas	Frequent stops in New York, Boston, Philadelphia; strong demand, tickets move early.
United States (Midwest/West)	Late Summer or early Autumn	Performing arts centers, casinos, theatres	Often added in later waves of announcements; fans watch the official page closely.
United Kingdom	Autumn tours most years	Iconic theatres & city halls	London, Manchester, Glasgow are common; UK crowds tend to be especially vocal for deep cuts.
Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.)	Clustered around UK runs	Clubs to mid-size arenas	Strong prog fanbases; setlists sometimes shift slightly between regions.
Typical Set Length	~2.5 hours including encore	Two-set format or one extended set	Mix of classic epics, mid-period tracks and newer material.
Common Encore Songs	End of show	N/A	Often Starship Trooper and Roundabout, occasionally rotated with other staples.
Recent Studio Albums	2020s	The Quest, Mirror to the Sky	Songs from these records have been appearing regularly in setlists.
Official Tour Info Source	Updated throughout the year	YesWorld Live page	Primary hub for date announcements, ticket links and VIP information.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Yes

Who are Yes in 20252026, exactly?
Yes have always been a fluid band, and the current lineup reflects that. At the core is guitarist Steve Howe, whose playing and writing reach back to albums like The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge. On keyboards is Geoff Downes, originally from the Drama era and also known for his role in Asia. Jon Davison handles lead vocals, bringing a clear, high tenor voice that can handle the classic material while putting his own twist on it. Billy Sherwood plays bass and contributes backing vocals; hes not only a longtime Yes associate but was personally encouraged by Chris Squire to carry that role forward. Jay Schellen holds down the drums, locking in the complex time signatures that define so much of the catalog.

This combination means youre hearing a group that spans multiple waves of the bands history but isnt locked into any single era. Theyre capable of pulling off early 70s symphonic prog, the harder-edged early 80s material, and the more cinematic modern work without it feeling like three different tribute acts stitched together.

What kind of fan is a Yes show really for?
Honestly: more kinds than you might think. Diehard prog fans obviously get the most granular satisfaction from seeing 10-minute instrumental sections played perfectly, but the crowd these days is surprisingly mixed. Youll see people who were around for the original vinyl releases sitting next to younger fans who discovered Roundabout on a playlist or heard Owner of a Lonely Heart via their parents.

If youre into technical musicianship, long-form songwriting, and songs that keep changing shape instead of repeating the same chorus 12 times, this is your band. If you only know one or two radio songs, the live show can feel more like seeing a full movie with a band instead of just a string of singles. Expect to be challenged a bit; thats part of the fun.

Where can I find the latest Yes tour dates and tickets?
The first stop should always be the official YesWorld site, specifically the live section, which acts as the central hub for all current tour information. Thats where new cities, on-sale dates, and any VIP or meet-and-greet packages typically appear first. After that, venue websites and major ticketing platforms carry the day-to-day sales.

Fans in forums often recommend cross-checking between the official page and your local venues site, because occasionally a date will appear in one place a few hours before the other. Also, pay attention to presale codes through mailing lists if youre aiming for specific seats  small theatres can sell out the best sections early when veteran fans pounce on announcements.

When during the year does Yes usually tour?
The exact schedule shifts by cycle, but recent patterns point to spring and early summer runs in North America, with autumn tilts across the UK and mainland Europe. Sometimes a second leg is added later in the year if demand is strong or if the band wants to hit cities they missed the first time around.

Because the current members are realistic about pacing, youre less likely to see an ultra-compact, every-night marathon schedule and more likely to see a series of well-paced stretches with days off built in. That actually benefits the shows themselves; vocals sound stronger, and the long instrumentals feel more precise when the band isnt running on empty.

Why do people care so much about this lineup versus past ones?
Yes history is basically a long-running debate about lineups. For some fans, the classic version is non-negotiable: Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and either Bill Bruford or Alan White. Others have deep emotional connections to the Drama or 90125 eras, or even to the more divisive 90s albums.

The current lineup becomes a lightning rod because its carrying the brand name without a few of those iconic figures. That leads to the usual questions: is it still Yes? Is it a continuation? A lot of modern fans land on a simple test: does the band on stage honor the spirit and complexity of the music? Are the shows delivering the emotional and musical punch they expect? For many people whove actually bought a ticket and gone, the answer is yes, and the debates online soften once youve stood in a room and heard Close to the Edge performed at full power.

How do the new albums fit into the legacy?
Recent records like The Quest and Mirror to the Sky occupy an interesting space. Theyre clearly modern Yes  smoother production, slightly more streamlined songwriting  but theyre also full of deep references to the bands earlier sound: wide-open chord voicings, complex vocal harmonies, multi-section epics that build over 10-plus minutes.

Live, the newer tracks tend to slot into the middle of the set, where they create a bridge between the older material and where the band is now. Fans who go in open-minded often come away with at least one surprise favorite; The Ice Bridge, for instance, has become a talking point because of its dramatic keyboard lines and driving rhythm section. For the band, playing these songs next to the canon classics is a way to prove they arent just curators of a museum exhibit. Theyre still writing, still arranging, still taking musical risks.

What should a first-time Yes concert-goer know before going?
Most importantly: this is not a casual, background-music night. Shows run long, songs run longer, and the emotional payoffs hit hardest if you lean into the ride. A few practical tips that fans share:

• Skim a recent setlist so youre not surprised by 18-minute tracks; it helps to know which epics are coming.
• Arrive on time. Unlike some tours where the big songs are crammed into the last 40 minutes, Yes often places major pieces right at the beginning.
• Give the new songs a fair shot. You might walk away obsessed with a track youd barely noticed on streaming.
• Dont expect much small talk. The band tends to let the music speak and keeps banter minimal.
• Protect your hearing. The dynamics can swing from whisper-level intros to serious volume peaks.

If you go in ready to listen closely and let the songs unfold, a Yes show can feel less like checking a classic-rock box and more like sitting inside a living, breathing piece of music history thats still being written.