Steve Howe’s Health Forces Yes to Delay UK Shows

Progressive rock titans Yes have postponed the U.K. leg of their Fragile Tour, citing an upcoming medical procedure for guitarist Steve Howe that will require recovery time. Originally slated to run from April 22 through May 4, the shows will now be pushed back, with the band targeting a rescheduled run in May 2027. New dates are expected to be announced soon.

In a statement addressing the delay, Howe acknowledged the disruption while expressing gratitude to fans who have supported the band through the change. “Yes and management extend their sincere gratitude for the understanding, patience and continued support from their fans shown during this time, and they look forward to returning to the U.K. in 2027 for an unforgettable run of shows,” he said.

Despite the setback in the U.K., the band confirmed that plans for additional performances in Japan and the United States remain on track, with dates for later in 2026 currently in development.

Revisiting a Progressive Rock Landmark

As the tour’s title suggests, Yes’ current run is built around a full-album performance of their seminal 1971 release, Fragile. The record—long considered one of the defining works of progressive rock—marked a turning point in the band’s commercial and artistic trajectory.

When the group launched the U.S. leg of the tour last fall, they used the opportunity to reintroduce several songs that had not been performed live in years. Among them were “Onward,” “Madrigal,” “Soon,” “Tempus Fugit,” and “Runaround,” giving longtime fans a rare chance to experience deeper cuts alongside the album’s more familiar material.

Inside the Making of ‘Fragile’

Beyond its impact, Fragile remains notable for its unconventional structure. The album blends four full-band compositions with individual solo pieces from each of its five members—an idea put forward by then-drummer Bill Bruford.

Looking back on the project, Howe reflected on the creative energy that defined the band during that period. “All the band’s albums had a unique feel and approach,” he said. “After The Yes Album, so many things came together, with [co-producer] Eddie Offord steering the proceedings. While the band focused on only four main songs with full arrangements, each of us wrote and designed a solo piece, which was Bill’s great idea. It’s fairly ‘odd-ball,’ but we were at the height of our creativity, determined for success.”

That spirit of experimentation—and the ambition behind it—continues to shape how Fragile is remembered today, as Yes prepares to bring its legacy back to the stage once more.