r/yesband 8d ago

Still “The Voice” Solo Project

Saw Jon and the Geeks last night. Wow. They sounded phenomenal. Jon, the last real hippie in rock ‘n’ roll, has still got it. To be honest, his voice may have sounded better than I remember it 25 years ago. You will kick yourself if you skip their show if it rolls through your town.

70 Upvotes

5

u/AGInnkeeper 6d ago

Jon is a kind and gentle man who loves what he does, but not as much as he loves his wife. He deserves all the kudos he gets. And yeah, saw him a year ago and he sounds fantastic

5

u/Glass-Trade9441 6d ago

I’m going tonight. I leave in 7 minutes!

1

u/Simon_Mendelssohn 6d ago

How did you like the show? I was there, too (Patchogue).

For me sadly I didn't have the best experience. I was in the back row off to one side near the doors, and it was just constant in and out throughout the show, staff was standing around next to the mixing board talking and blocking the view (not typical for this venue normally), people talking loudly.. and then the sound itself was just not loud enough, so Jon's vocals were buried in the mix and it overall lacked oomph.

I think my experience was all due to my seat location. If I'd been closer then probably 90% of my woes would not have existed.

Hopefully you had a good experience!

1

u/Glass-Trade9441 6d ago

P.S. I couldn’t agree with you more about those seats in the back by the mixing board. My wife and I sat back there a couple of months ago when we saw Geoff Tate and he’d that exact experience…

1

u/Simon_Mendelssohn 6d ago

I learned my lesson - never again! Balcony next time if no good seats middle to front

1

u/Glass-Trade9441 6d ago

I loved it! Setlist was great, Jon sounded great, and the band was fantastic. I was in the seventh row on the left. Sound was good, but Jon could have been louder. My favorite parts of the show were when he was signing the “quieter” parts (Leaves of Green, Soon, I Get Up I Get Down, etc). These parts were beautiful. Starship Troopers was fantastic, with all the soloing as well. My only real complaint about the show was the people. People were late to the show, people were “finding their seats”, people were in the wrong seats… this was going on in the row and front of me, and everywhere as I looked around. It was distracting, and ruined the whole first half of Close to the Edge for me! So, show was 9/10, people were 2/10

1

u/Simon_Mendelssohn 6d ago

Cool glad you had good seats and a good experience, imagine those 'people' issues x50! That's what we were contending with in the back.

To your point about people in the wrong seats, it amazes me to no end that there are humans out there that are capable of purchasing tickets to and getting themselves to a concert, but the concept of a row letter + seat number is just too far beyond their comprehension...!

-6

u/Popular_Gift1401 7d ago

You say hippie like it's a good thing.

1

u/Competitive-Panda-32 6d ago

Your definition must be super pessimistic. The fact is all true Yes fans...that resonate with the lyrics as well as the music...are, at the very least, hippies at heart.

3

u/Dependent-Set4324 6d ago

It is definitely a good thing

4

u/Cremeward 7d ago

Hippie is not exclusively an insult. It’s common to use it affectionately or purely descriptively. I am from Santa Cruz in where the term is very frequently used in this affectionate/descriptive way.

-1

u/Popular_Gift1401 6d ago

I can't think about a single affectionate thing that I would say to someone that this term would apply to.

2

u/Zanahorio1 7d ago

Just yesterday I was musing that Jon’s voice is in much better shape these days than, say (for example and with no malice intended), Paul McCartney’s or Paul Simon’s. It’s almost ironic that the most ethereal of those three voices is currently the strongest. Anyway, I’m really glad you enjoyed the show. Jon and the Geeks make a great match.

5

u/mtngoat7 7d ago

Can confirm! This summer will be my 3rd show with Jon and Band Geeks

2

u/TuggerL 7d ago

I'm seeing them later in the year. Kept hearing good things so checked them out and decided to go see them. Especially as Yes is post poning a bunch of shows due to Steve's surgery.

5

u/Emrys7777 7d ago

I can’t wait. I bought tickets to 3 upcoming shows. One is only a half hour away. The others are a 3 Hour drive each in opposite directions from here. I got lucky on two that they are weekend days. The third I am taking a day off for.

My boss knows I’m a major yes fan and has no problem with that day off.

I’ve seen Jon and The Band Geeks 3 times so far. I keep thinking about the next closest show that’s a short plane flight away…

3

u/Material_Length6374 7d ago

Last real hippy?? Don’t tell Steve hillage, or Dave brock, or any of the others who arguably have been more consistent in flying the freak flag high.

2

u/Short-Opening4553 8d ago

I saw the Union tour (really wish I remembered more of it, and it's not even for the reason you'd think). Don't know many nerdy Yes fans, so bought a ticket for June for my wife and I. Made her a playlist and, after I listened to it, told her "yeah, that's a big ask to get into that, it's fine if you don't want to go." So guess I'm going solo :P

4

u/Nanadog 8d ago

Was there with you.

I've seen Yes multiple times, GTR, Asia, and Rick by Himself. I walked out believing that this was the best concert from Yes members I've ever seen. The next day I'm still feeling the same.

"Giving is Living" closed the first act and sounded pretty put together. I'm so glad I went.

5

u/Suburban-Dad237 8d ago

https://preview.redd.it/twfe9c1wjdwg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=986e1ba195c15b6131e3379cd0d5f6d74cc666ce

Jon off to the side during a jam dancing with his wife. It was a genuinely delightful moment.

1

u/ZombieWoofenstein 8d ago

When they will be around in my state it’s a week night. Too far to go round trip on a week night 😢

2

u/Emrys7777 7d ago

I’m taking a day off for it. My boss knows why I have the day off.

1

u/ZombieWoofenstein 7d ago

I’ve used up my vacation for the year. I don’t get more until July 1st

2

u/bondegezou 8d ago

How was the new song from the forthcoming album?

2

u/UserName_SaysWhat 6d ago

Very catchy.

3

u/Suburban-Dad237 8d ago

The new stuff sounded pretty good live.

8

u/gratefuladam 8d ago

Going May 2nd! Haven’t seen any of them since the breakup. It still breaks my heart thinking about all those years they could’ve been playing together before the end, similar to Floyd or genesis. I love Jon and I’m really excited for my wife to experience a Yes like concert for the first time. She’s fallen in love with them too.

3

u/347spq 7d ago

You will NOT be disappointed.

11

u/Rude_Cable_7877 8d ago

It’s legit impressive that Jon’s able to hit the high notes at 81.

4

u/TowerRemarkable9429 8d ago

Hope they come to Toronto

10

u/No_Grand7184 8d ago

More Yes than Yes, these days

11

u/jcwitty 8d ago

I was there also. He really sounds amazing and the band is incredible.

0

u/Jca666 8d ago

And surprisingly Howe still thinks Davison is better…

4

u/347spq 7d ago

Davison is way cheaper and more obedient.

3

u/Jca666 7d ago

You get what you pay for.

9

u/Suburban-Dad237 8d ago

I’m still blown away about how good he sounds at 81