My review of the Yes/Asia concert at the National Harbor in DC

[LynneSin]

Wet, wet and even more wet and when done a bit more wet. Did I mention it rained?

First, the National Harbor in DC is nothing more than what was some parkland converted into a massive condo community with fancy shops & restaurants to boot. DC is running out of room so folks need to live somewhere (and oh, btw that's in MD). The concert series is an afterthought in planning. There isn't really a venue but a makeshift temp stage in an oversized parking lot. It seems that there are regular Thursday evening concerts of some respectable groups (upcoming Gov't Mule and the following week the Derek Trucks band).

We were able to see Asia and mock as you will that this is nothing more than a supergroup of progrock bands forming 80s pop FM radio schlock, I have to admit that I enjoyed the Asia part of the show. And since the group is made of of members not just from Yes but also ELP and King Crimson, the fans were also treated with some killer songs from both of these groups AND that classic first song of the MTV era "Video killed the Radio Star" (I forgot that Geoff Downes was part of that group). The highlight of the Asia concert had to be "Court of the Crimson King" a prog rock classic from King Crimson.

Alas the overcast weather was not to last. Yes was able to get one song done when the storms broke out and unfortunately the makeshift stage did little to prevent poor Steve Howe from getting soaked. Not really a keen idea to be playing an electric guitar in an electrical storm. So the people enjoying a cheap concert went home and the diehard fans like myself found cover. And we waited and waited under a tent that was pitched for a clambake where we waited while lightening dazzled us over our heads. Eventually the storm passed and the band wanted to please the large group of fans who remained behind; however, the keyboards were not usable.

So the band came back to play. Steve Howe, now dried and ready to play opened with a solo. Then the band came out to play minus Oliver Wakeman (son of Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who is not touring for health reason). Yes also is using Benoît David, former Yes tribute band lead singer, to fill in for Jon Anderson (who is dealing with his own health issues). Close your eyes and you'd think it was Anderson himself singing. Yes then opened with "I've Seen All Good People" which the crowd loved. However after that song was finished some dork came on stage and announced that they had to cancel the show because another storm was pretty much getting ready to hit us. (and explains why they would do one of their show finale songs first). The crowd, not to be denied, chanted for one more song (it wasn't raining just yet) and Chris Squire asked for requests from the audience. Mind you, without keyboards some choices might not actually play so well. They then closed with "Roundabout" and just about got to the end when the storms started again.

So yes, that was my Yes concert

:cry:

[gbate]

1. I loved Asia. Still listen to their first album once in awhile.

How was Carl Palmer? Still amazing?
Sucks about the weather. :(

[LynneSin]

2. It wouldn't have been so sucky if I hadn't of driven 2.5hours to get there

:cry:

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Bummer about the rain, but still very cool that you got to see them!

[joeybee12]

4. Do i recall correctly? Has Yes been passed over for the Rock Hall of Fame?

Seem to recall they had been, and I can't think of the term used to describe the type of music Yes did...something like it being referred to as high concept, and the hall looks down on that. I still think their music is great and holds up all these years.

[HughBeaumont]

7. There isn't a dang true prog rock band to be found in the RR Hall of Shame.

Unless one counts Pink Floyd, that is.

But no, let's make way for that hard rockin' icon Madonna instead. :eyes: A disgrace, I tells ya.

[joeybee12]

8. And as much as I love the Supremes....

Rock?

[gmoney]

5. Wireless helps make things safer in the rain...

With the guitar and mic just attached to a battery-powered transmitter, the risk of shock is pretty low. Of course, there are a million other ways to get shocked.

And playing in the rain would suck... most of these venues are able to keep the performers dry even if the audience gets soaked.

[LynneSin]

10. If this was a real venue

This was a temp stage in a parking lot

[seemunkee]

6. Surprised they stuck around with the lightning last night

Why are they scheduling such big shows outdoors when we get so many late thunderstorms. That just seems stupid, they never should have blown up the Cap Center.

[LynneSin]

11. Yeah, I didn't get that either

This wasn't a real venue, it's a makeshift one to try and build the National Harbor in DC as a destination. Yes isn't quite filling out venues like the Cap Center (which I guess is around 10-12k people) but they could still do smaller venues like 3-4k Tower in Philadelphia.

[madinmaryland]

9. Too bad they didn't play at Merriweather Post last night.

We only had a short shower around 11 last night. No other rain at all.

:wtf: We needed the rain, too.

[KamaAina]

12. This is why I never buy tickets for outdoor shows in advance

even at the Waikiki Shell, it's tough to get through three hours without at least one passing shower. :eyes:

[Beaverhausen]

13. I saw this show here in Los Angeles

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Asia's set.

And Yes, even with the stand-ins, did a fine job. I'm sorry your show got rained out.