Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks Anaheim June 25,2026

Alex Kluft Photography

Legendary Yes frontman and one of the greatest voices in Prog-Rock Jon
Anderson and the Band Geeks played Grove Of Anaheim June 25th and had
played there a year prior. This would be Anderson’s third tour with
The Band Geeks. Anderson is performing two sets of mostly Yes songs.
Anderson took the stage at 7:30 P.M. following an intro of
Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” and played a total of 12 songs kicking
things off with Yes’s “Close the Edge” and included other classics
like “Starship Trooper,” and closing song the epic “Roundabout.” For
solo songs Anderson performed “Counties and Countries” “Once Upon a
Dream” which were part of last year’s set list. “True Messenger” which
was in last year’s setlist was taken out and “Giving Is Living” and
Yes songs “Soon” and “Leaves of Green” were added. In addition to
singing, Anderson played the tambourine, acoustic guitar. And harp. 12
songs may seem short but considering the length of the songs, the show
lasted two hours excluding intermission. Seeing Anderson is always a
very special experience.

Anderson was the frontman of Yes which he co-founded with bassist
Chris Squire from 1968-1981 releasing 10 albums including The Yes
Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One. YES would
regroup in 1983 bringing back original keyboardist Tony Kaye and a new
guitarist Trevor Rabin. This lineup would produce their biggest album
90125.

Anderson would remain a member until 1988 and formed a short lived
group with fellow YES members Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve
Howe releasing just one album. Anderson Wakeman and Bruford would all
return to YES just 2 years later. The band stayed together until 2004
and formed again in 2009, but without Anderson or Wakeman. Anderson
would continue as a solo artist and then began working with former
members Rabin and Wakeman around 2010. In 2017 Yes was finally
inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Anderson, Howe, Wakeman,
Alan White, Rabin and Rush’s Geddy Lee all performed “Roundabout”
together. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was performed as well but with
Howe on bass. This would be the first and last time in 13 years
Anderson Howe and White would perform together. Following the
induction a tour of Yes featuring Anderson Rabin Wakeman was announced
and by 2020 the group had disbanded after just two tours. The second
tour celebrated the group’s 50th anniversary. Anderson would begin
touring again solo in July 2021 and still tours regularly and turned
81 last October.

Anderson’s solo Career goes as far back as 1976 while still a member
of Yes and has released 16 studio albums with the most recent being
True released in 2024 and last year Perpetual Change Live.

Setlist:

Intro Firebird Suite (Igor Stravinsky)

Close to the Edge (Yes cover)

Perpetual Change (Yes cover)

Counties and Countries

And You and I (Yes cover)

Giving Is Living

Soon (Yes cover)

Set 2

Awaken (Yes cover)

I’ve Seen All Good People (Yes cover)

Once Upon a Dream