Yes - ArtPark 2016

Yes brought their progressive-rock masterpiece Tales from Topographic Oceans to Artpark in Lewiston, New York, on August 2, 2016. The concert was part of the band's summer tour and featured a lineup of Jon Davison, Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen.

This was not a typical greatest-hits concert. Yes devoted a substantial portion of the performance to Tales from Topographic Oceans, including two of its enormous side-long pieces. For longtime progressive-rock fans, that made the Artpark appearance a particularly appealing opportunity to hear material that rarely receives this kind of attention in concert.

The first set opened with “Machine Messiah,” followed by “White Car,” “Does It Really Happen?,” “Into the Lens,” “Run Through the Light,” and “Tempus Fugit.” “I've Seen All Good People” and “Siberian Khatru” then brought the first half to a strong finish.

The second set began with “And You And I,” one of Yes's most beautiful and recognizable progressive-rock compositions. The band then launched into “The Revealing Science of God,” the first side of Tales from Topographic Oceans. Steve Howe and Jon Davison performed “Leaves of Green” as an acoustic section before the band continued into “Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil).”

For casual fans, the extended Tales material may have been challenging, but that was exactly what made the show special for dedicated Yes followers. These were ambitious pieces requiring tremendous concentration from every musician, and the Artpark crowd responded enthusiastically.

The lineup also had an important historical element. Chris Squire had died the previous year, and Billy Sherwood was handling bass duties. Jay Schellen was filling in for Alan White, who was recovering from back surgery.

The concert ended with a double encore of “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper.” After nearly three hours of intricate progressive rock, those two classics provided the perfect payoff and gave the Artpark crowd the familiar Yes songs they had been waiting for.

The August 2 performance was part of an extensive North American tour that also included stops in Columbus, Atlantic City, Bethlehem, Lynn, Wallingford, and several other cities. For Yes fans in Western New York, though, the Artpark concert was the important one. It offered an ambitious set, exceptional musicianship, and a rare opportunity to hear Tales from Topographic Oceans treated as a major part of the live show rather than an occasional deep-cut reference.