Here you go then:
And here is what I wrote about the show on YesFans.com (sorry, this is a long one!):
Let me tell you I was not disappointed!
The excitement began to build as soon as Linda and I found each other at Sky Harbor Airport. The telling of Linda and Jesse's past two nights adventures coupled with their subsequent plane ride experience had a supercharging effect on me!
After we made the trip via pink stuff truck to Mesa, we arrived at the Marriott Mesa to see the Dream Theater tour bus parked out front! I went in and registered while Linda was out parking and once she came inside we decided to have a seat to discuss the evening's mode of attack. While we were planning in the lobby members of Dream Theater are pointed out to me and Alan White walks up to the front desk to ask some kind of question of the staff. Linda and I agree that I am obviously booked at the same hotel as both of the bands...sweet!
We agreed to meet up at a restaurant very close by the venue around 3:30 or so and there was a small turn out of folks, all dedicated Yes people for sure though!
On to the show!
The Mesa amphitheater is a very appealing concert location to be sure. The 6 PM start ended up providing for some good shadows for the fans, but I would guess not enough for the Dream Theater boys. Temps were in the low 100s, I believe, and I was sweaty before the show even started. People were milling about so I checked out my own seat, but as soon as I saw the speaker stack directly in my face, I decided I would try and sit near Linda and Jesse once DT started to play. Let me tell you first that I love metal music as well as prog, so Dream Theater fits for me just right. They ripped it up for their hour of stage time, and I thought that the songs they chose were almost perfect for the Yes majority to have a good taste of what they can do.
Onto the YES show!
As this is getting written after the Los Angeles area show, my comments on Yes will be kinda distorted. To describe it as workman like would not be fair, way better than that, again I am writing with hindsight. The sound system and mix did not compare favorably with the Universal Amphitheater imho.
Still it was a strong performance as a 2nd show on back to back nights. They still give all they can, every night, after 36 years on the road. The fans filled the seats much better once the Firebird began, so I ended up in the back of the center reserved section, in front of the soundboard. Another great show in a list of many for me.
After the show!
Walked back to my room to put on a dry shirt (did I mention the sweat? lol) and headed downstairs looking for a beer. The lobby bar looked like a joke so I went out the front door and spied a sports bar just across the narrow street. Eureka! Parked at the bar and asked for a Bud in a bottle and got told Bud on draft only, so Heineken it was! Drank a couple and watched ESPN for a bit and people watched. The bar was due to close at 11 PM. Attendance was small: a group of jocks that split soon after I arrived and a group of 3 couples that seemed to be friends with the barkeep. The front door got locked at 11, but I assume because his friends were still in a party mood, I was allowed to stay as well. The phone rang not much later and the bartender had a short talk with someone. He told the friends party that he had a group coming over from the hotel.
I knew who it was.
So in walks Chris Squire and friends.
JOY!
Mr. barman goes over to take their order and returns to the bar. I tell him that I'm paying for the first round for that new party. He says alrighty then. After the drinks get delivered, Chris doesn't even wave at me.
Instead he gets up and comes over to where I'm sitting!
All Right!
And so, Chris Squire himself appears to my right, he thanks me for the drinks and asks me if I would like to join him at his table.
I am a dork.
I told him no.
My line was like I just wanted to thank you for all that you have given me and I think you deserve to have your privacy.
I think that line turned out to be for my benefit. Chris made the effort to come over and chat with me 4 or 5 more times that evening, one on one. We talked about the acoustic set and Conspiracy and his motivation (he loves when he plays! Most of us already know that one!). I don't think the details of what was said are for me to post. I really do want the band to have whatever privacy they can get.
I send out my thanks to Chris, for making the effort to spend time with me, a simple fan. It meant so much to me, to have him listen and comment on my own thoughts. A night I will cherish!
Mesa Magic!