Watch Yes: 35th Anniversary Concert - Songs from Tsongas

Yes: 35th Anniversary Concert - Songs from Tsongas is a 2005 concert film directed by Blue Leach and released on DVD. The film documents a concert held by the iconic progressive rock band Yes on May 15, 2004, at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts, as part of their 35th-anniversary tour. The concert features the band's classic lineup of vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and drummer Alan White, performing a career-spanning setlist of over two hours. The band is augmented by additional musicians, including guitarist Benoit David, who would later become a member of Yes.

The film opens with a montage of footage from previous Yes concerts and interviews, highlighting the band's history and influence. The concert itself begins with a thunderous rendition of "Going for the One," from the band's 1977 album of the same name. The band is in top form, with Anderson's soaring vocals, Squire's driving bass, Wakeman's virtuosic keyboards, Howe's intricate guitar work, and White's powerhouse drumming all on full display.

The setlist includes many of Yes's best-known songs, including "Sweet Dreams," "I've Seen All Good People," and "Roundabout." The band also performs several songs from their then-new album, "The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection," including "Show Me" and "South Side of the Sky."

Throughout the concert, the musicianship on display is truly stunning. Howe's finger-picking and slide work on songs like "Turn of the Century" and "And You and I" are jaw-dropping, while Wakeman's keyboard solos on "Ritual" and "Starship Trooper" are dizzying in their virtuosity. Anderson's voice is in fine form throughout, especially on the poetic "Long Distance Runaround."

The concert is also visually stunning, with a dazzling light show and video projections that add another dimension to the music. The camera work is excellent, capturing the band's energy and intensity from various angles.

One of the highlights of the concert is the climactic performance of "Awaken," the epic track from Yes's 1977 album "Going for the One." Clocking in at over 15 minutes, the song is a tour-de-force of musicianship and emotion, with Anderson's lyrics evoking a mystical, spiritual journey. The band's performance is nothing short of breathtaking, with Howe's guitar solo, Wakeman's keyboard flourishes, and White's thunderous drumming all building to a transcendent crescendo.

The concert concludes with an encore featuring "Roundabout" and "Yours Is No Disgrace," two of Yes's signature songs. The band takes their final bows to a standing ovation, leaving the audience and viewers alike with a sense of awe and gratitude for their music.

Overall, Yes: 35th Anniversary Concert - Songs from Tsongas is a must-see for fans of Yes and progressive rock in general. The band's musicianship and energy are on full display throughout the concert, and the visuals and sound quality are top-notch. This film is a fitting tribute to a legendary band whose influence on the genre cannot be overstated.

Yes: 35th Anniversary Concert - Songs from Tsongas is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes.