Yes are back on the road: Why the prog-rock legends’ live show is a must-see in 2026
25.01.2026 - 22:45:31
Yes aren’t just a classic rock name your parents drop at dinner – they're a still-active, still-touring prog powerhouse, and if you love big, emotional, must-see live experiences, you need them on your radar right now.
Whether you're discovering them through a viral clip, a friend's vinyl obsession, or a random YouTube rabbit hole, this is the moment to get up to speed on their latest tour moves, iconic tracks, and the story behind the band that helped define progressive rock.
If you think "classic" means "quietly retired," Yes are here to prove you wrong – on stage, in your playlists, and all over your feeds.
On Repeat: The Latest Hits & Vibes
Yes have a deep catalog, but a handful of tracks keep dominating streams, playlists, and fan conversations. If you're new, start here; if you're a longtime fan, you already know these hit different live.
- "Owner of a Lonely Heart" – Their biggest mainstream viral hit, this 80s anthem blends rock, pop, and sharp hooks. The riff is instantly recognizable, and the chorus is built to live rent-free in your head. It's the gateway song pulling a younger crowd into the Yes universe.
- "Roundabout" – A prog epic turned streaming favorite. You'll know it from countless memes, intros, and fan edits. It starts with that famous bass and acoustic guitar combo before twisting into a wild, cinematic journey. This is the track that makes you go, "Ohhh, that's Yes."
- "I've Seen All Good People" – A fan-favorite live singalong. It builds from a gentle, almost spiritual vibe into a driving rock groove. Perfect for festivals, road trips, and anyone who loves a slow-burn song that explodes by the end.
In recent years, Yes have kept things moving with newer material as well, dropping studio albums that show they're not just living off their back catalog. The more recent tracks lean into atmospheric, layered sounds, but the DNA is the same: big ideas, big emotions, and arrangements made for the stage.
If you're curating a playlist before a show, stack the classics with some newer songs from albums like "The Quest" and "Mirror to the Sky" to feel how the band's sound has evolved while still staying unmistakably Yes.
Social Media Pulse: Yes on TikTok
Even a band that started in the late 60s can still find new life on your For You Page. Yes clips pop up on social feeds through live performance edits, vinyl collection flexes, and "first time hearing" reaction videos.
There's a strong nostalgia wave – older fans sharing stories from arena tours decades ago – but also a fresh wave of younger listeners discovering the band through iconic intros like "Roundabout" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart." That mix of generations is exactly what keeps their live shows buzzing.
Want to see what the fanbase is posting right now? Check out the hype here:
Scroll a bit and you'll find everything from high-quality live uploads to grainy, emotional fan footage from the front row – a perfect preview of the live experience you're signing up for.
Catch Yes Live: Tour & Tickets
Here's what really matters if you want to see Yes in the flesh: are they touring, and how do you get tickets?
Yes continue to be an active touring band, regularly announcing runs that hit major cities in the US, UK, and beyond. Their shows typically mix the huge hits with deep cuts for hardcore fans, plus newer material for the faithful who've stayed with them through every era.
Because their schedule changes and new dates are announced in waves, you absolutely need to check the official live page for the latest information. That's where you'll see up-to-date cities, venues, and ticket links.
Get your tickets and see the latest Yes tour dates here
On the live page, you can usually expect:
- A full list of upcoming shows with locations and venues.
- Links to official ticket providers so you're not dealing with sketchy resellers.
- Updates if new legs of the tour or special shows are added.
If the site currently shows no upcoming concerts, that simply means one thing: the band is between tour cycles. In that case, it's smart to bookmark the page or sign up for their newsletter so you don't miss when the next run drops. With a band like Yes, tickets for iconic venues and special anniversary tours can move fast.
When you do catch them live, expect a show built around musicianship and emotion rather than pyrotechnics and distractions. Long instrumental sections, massive vocal harmonies, and classic album moments recreated on stage – it's a different kind of hype, but once you're in the room, you feel it.
How it Started: The Story Behind the Success
Before Yes became a name you see on festival posters and rock history lists, they were just another ambitious London band trying to do something different with rock music.
Formed in the late 1960s, Yes started with a simple idea: take rock beyond the usual three-minute song format. Longer tracks, big concepts, unusual song structures – they wanted it all. That mindset turned them into one of the defining bands of progressive rock.
Across the 1970s, they released era-defining albums that pushed boundaries and built a devoted fanbase. Complex arrangements, soaring vocals, and artwork that felt like entering another world – it all became part of the Yes identity.
Some of their biggest milestones include:
- Scoring major commercial success with albums that went Gold and Platinum in multiple countries.
- Breaking into the mainstream in a massive way with the album that featured "Owner of a Lonely Heart", turning them from prog heroes into full-on chart-toppers.
- Building a touring reputation as a band you simply had to experience live at least once, thanks to long, immersive sets and high-level playing.
Over the decades, the lineup has evolved, members have come and gone, and the sound has shifted with the times. But the core idea stayed: make rock music that's bigger than a single moment, something that feels like a journey.
Modern Yes still taps into that legacy while continuing to release new music and hit the road, keeping both longtime listeners and curious newcomers engaged. The fact that people are still arguing over which era of Yes is the best is all the proof you need that their story is far from over.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Hype?
If you're wondering whether Yes in 2026 is just nostalgia or a real, living, breathing band, here's the honest answer: it's both, and that's exactly why it works.
For younger listeners, Yes are a chance to plug into something bigger than the latest algorithm-driven hit – songs that unfold slowly, lyrics that aim high, and a band that treats the live experience like an art form, not just a playlist on stage.
For longtime fans, seeing Yes live now is about connection: to the music that defined different eras of your life, to other fans who've been on the same journey, and to a band that has refused to simply fade away.
Are they worth seeing? If you care about legendary bands still doing the work and still stepping on stage, absolutely. This isn't a museum piece – it's a legacy in motion.
Your move: dive into the classic tracks, browse those live clips, then lock in your spot for the next show that hits your city. When the lights go down and that first familiar riff kicks in, you'll get why people are still talking about Yes.
