JCC Amph The awesome concert thread!!!

Count Yubnub · Apr 29, 2025

B3 said: ↑

Disclaimer: I am not a hard-core Yes fan, let alone someone intimately familiar with Jon Anderson's career outside of Yes. And i know true Yes fans can be a particularly opinionated bunch, so if you are one take what i say with a grain of salt. However...

A friend and I were gifted tickets to a Jon Anderson & the Band Geeks concert at the last minute this past Saturday, and oh boy am I glad I went. We had no idea what to expect, and we were absolutely blown away. Of course Jon doesn't have quite the power or sustain he did in his prime, but so ****ing what. He sounded incredible for an 80 year old man. He seemed a little slow and maybe even a little befuddled between songs, but when he sang... just wonderful. Talking to my friend during the concert I likened it to watching a New Age Tony Bennett, and I later felt vindicated when I read a review by a Big Yes Fan that made the same comparison. Jon just has this quality, I guess "vibe" is probably the appropriate term, that makes you feel so connected to this smiling elfin grandpa onstage and the history he represents.
The band were tight as can be and (to my non-musician ear) did the classic Yes sound justice. The set was just 71-74 Era Yes + Owner of a Lonely Heart and two new songs, one of which I loved (the other was basically Close to the Edge redux and not as fresh sounding - really the only "disappointment" of the evening).

TL;DR: if you're at all inclined to go see Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks, DO IT.
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I saw Jon Anderson & the Band Geeks in Oakland a few weeks ago (4/8). They were wonderful. And yes, remarkably, his vocal range has barely aged at all.

And I'm positive he wasn't miming; he fumbled a couple of lines. Which is OK, he is 80 after all.

AndyLGR · May 8, 2025 at 1:25 AM

Haven't really got many concerts lined up this year. I'm hoping that Geoff Tate (former Queensryche singer) brings his Operation Mindcrime tour to the UK.. I love that album.

Seen a lot of mentions of GnR and their recent concerts over the last few pages. Whilst I didn't get to see them in the 80's. I saw 2 amazing shows from them in 1991 & 1992, when they headlined Wembley Stadium. They were on fire for both gigs, at their peak IMO. At the 91 gig they were supported by Nine Inch Nails and Skid Row. Skid Row were so good that day. At the 92 show Soundgarden and Faith no More supported and we even got a guest appearance from Brian May during the encores.

cubman987 · May 8, 2025 at 7:48 AM

Saw Off With Their Heads and Smoking Popes at a small venue a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't super familiar with OWTH but they were great, as was SP!

Next up is Avril Lavigne with Simple Plan in about a month!

Ahsoka's Tano · May 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM

I heard that it was complicated to get tickets to that latter concert.

Jedi Bluth · May 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM

Bonnie Raitt was boring. I almost fell asleep.

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JCC Amph The awesome concert thread!!!

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