Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Given his dual role as the original lead singer and frequent songwriter of Yes, Jon Anderson is as titanic as they come within the pantheon of progressive rock gods. When he records and performs as a solo artist, it gives the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer a chance to stylistically spread his wings, but never at the expense of completely forsaking the group’s immensely influential roots. 

And with all the extra accents of his expanded touring band, “Starship Trooper” was downright majestic, especially when Jon Anderson raised his hands and looked up to the heavens, summoning the spirits of positivity and peace like only he could towards an appreciative Genesee audience.

About half of a 100-ish minute set at the ornate and acoustically rich Genesee Theatre was dedicated to Yes (in one form or another), with the rest being gleaned from an equally experimental (though not necessarily always prog) individual outpouring with an eight-piece-band dripping with frequent blasts of brass and enhanced percussion. Once the video wall lit up with atmospheric images reflecting the esoteric nature of the night, Anderson got the dedicated crowd warm with the group’s “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” and “Yours In No Disgrace,” coming across pretty spectacularly for 74-years-old.

However, he seemed most proud of his latest musical baby, the perpetually optimistic, carpe diem-themed “1000 Hands,” which was nearly 30 years in the making and finally completed at the end of Yes featuring Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Ramalama” had remnants of the band’s early ‘90s period, “WDMCF” could’ve very well been a continuation of “90125” with an electronic undercurrent, while “1000 Hands (Come Up)” took on a joyful, jumpy, jazz fusion feel.

Even vintage Yes material scored a few facelifts, such as “I’ve Seen All Good People” getting a little reggae in its step or “Sweet Dreams” and “Long Distance Runaround” landing in an acoustic set. And with all the extra accents of his expanded touring band, “Starship Trooper” was downright majestic, especially when Anderson raised his hands and looked up to the heavens, summoning the spirits of positivity and peace like only he could towards an appreciative Genesee audience.

Click here for more photos of Jon Anderson at the Genesee Theatre.

For additional information on Jon Anderson, visit JonAnderson.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include The Underwater Bubble Show (Apr. 13); Brit Floyd (Apr. 18); “Double Dare” Live! (May 3); Penn & Teller (May 10), Burton Cummings (May 16); Patton Oswalt (May 17); “The Buddy Holly Story” (May 18); Steve Martin & Martin Short (May 24); Criss Angel (May 31); Cheap Trick (Jun. 7); Freedom: A Tribute To George Michael & Wham! (Jun. 8); Credence Revived (Jun. 13); Dan Petty & The Heartshakers (Aug. 17); “Napoleon Dynamite”: A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries (Sept. 12); A Tribute To Patsy Cline (Sept. 14); The Capitol Steps (Sept. 19); UB40 (Sept. 20); Orleans and Poco (Sept. 21); April Wine with Asia featuring John Payne (Sept. 28); Three Dog Night with Voyage (Oct. 4); Kansas (Oct. 19) and The Piano Guys (Nov. 22). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

Related Articles

With Yestival on its way to Grand Victoria Casino, Geoff Downes discusses Yes, Asia, loss and legacy Jon Anderson (Yes): “1000 Hands” Tour at Genesee Theatre A Yes “Union,” Steve Perry speaks, Pearl Jam rocks with members of Journey, Rush at HOF Induction Celestial Yes singer Jon Anderson recruits “1000 Hands” for vision three decades in the making Yes indeed! Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW) carefully juggle the cerebral and commercial The progression of Yes and Carl Palmer’s take on ELP converge for first-ever traveling Yestival Yes hosts an abridged 50th birthday bolstered by the return of Tony Kaye after 24 years away Rock Hall of Famers Yes featuring ARW gift “Quintessential” golden anniversary to Milwaukee