YES’ Keyboardist Rick Wakeman Announces Farewell Tour

via RockBuzz / Youtube
YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman has revealed plans for his last solo tour in the United States, marking the conclusion of his solo performance era. The tour, named The Final Solo Tour, is set to continue into 2024, encompassing two North American legs. The inaugural US leg is scheduled to commence on March 19th in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and culminate on March 29th in Albany, New York.
In anticipation of the event, a Live Nation ticket pre-sale for selected dates will start on Wednesday (January 24th) at 10 a.m. ET, utilizing the code SPOTLIGHT. General ticket sales will open on Friday (January 26th) at 10 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster. StubHub offers an alternative for securing tickets, including options for sold-out performances with the assurance of StubHub’s Fan Protect program.
Wakeman’s farewell concerts promise a musical journey featuring “YES music and other favorites,” along with a premiere of his latest composition, “Yessonata.” This 30-minute instrumental masterpiece weaves together distinctive “YES themes and melodies” within a sonata framework.
Wakeman shared his sentiments about stepping back from solo performances, emphasizing the need to focus on composition, recording, and collaborative projects with fellow musicians. In a light-hearted manner, he mentioned that while he initially planned to conclude touring by his 77th birthday on May 18th, the multitude of activities prompted an earlier decision.
The keyboard maestro plans to deliver a grand finale, incorporating the best of his extensive repertoire, a few surprises, and the potential inclusion of guest performers on special occasions. With a unique twist, Wakeman aims to perform at distinct venues throughout this farewell period, ensuring that each venue will witness its final Rick Wakeman solo performance.
Before the US leg, Wakeman will embark on a series of UK dates in February, followed by a tour of Mexico and South America in April. A subsequent North American leg is slated for later in the year. As Wakeman bids adieu to his solo tours after 53 years, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported him on this remarkable musical journey. Wakeman said:
“I always planned to stop touring by my 77th birthday – for those of you who wish to send me a card, it’s May 18th! – but there is so much to fit in before then that I’m having to make plans now and so my final one-man shows will have to cease by that date.”
He added:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed performing the various one-man shows, but it’s time to call it a day.
“I intend to throw in the best of what I have done in the past, plus a few new surprises on the way, and possibly even the odd guest joining me on the odd occasion. The plan is not to perform at the same venue twice throughout this period, so whatever venue you are hopefully thinking of coming to, it will be the last performance there — and I am taking this opportunity of thanking everyone and anyone who has supported me over the last 53 years!”
Rick Wakeman’s 2024 Tour Dates:
02/15 – Glasgow, UK @ Royal Concert Hall
02/17 – Liverpool, UK @ Philharmonic
02/18 – Manchester, UK @ Bridgewater Hall
02/20 – Brighton, UK @ Dome
02/21 – Cardiff, UK @ St David’s Hall
02/23 – Birmingham, UK @ Symphony Hall
02/24 – York, UK @ Barbican
02/25 – Gateshead, UK @ Sage
02/27 – London, UK @ Theatre Royal Drury Lane
02/28 – Bristol, UK @ Beacon
03/01 – Evesham, UK @ The Regal
03/19 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
03/20 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
03/22 – Huntington, NY @ Paramount Theater
03/23 – Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium
03/24 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
03/26 – Red Bank, NJ @ The Vogel @ Count Basie Center for the Arts
03/27 – Vienna, VA @ The Barn
03/28 – Vienna, VA @ The Barns
03/29 – Albany, NY @ Egg – Hart Theatre
04/03 – Mexico City, MX @ Auditorio Blackberry
04/06 – Santiago, CL @ Teatro Teleton
04/09 – Buenos Aires, AR @ Teatro Gran Rex
04/11 – Porto Alegre, BR @ Salão de Atos da PUCRS
04/12 – Sao Paulo, BR @ Tokio Marine Hall
04/14 – Brasilia, BR @ Centro de Convencoes Ulysses Guimaraes
04/15 – Curitiba, BR @ Opera de Arame