Courtesy of On the BlueYes is about halfway through its 2016 U.S. summer tour, and after the trek wraps up, the prog-rock legends will turn their attention to their 2017 Cruise to the Edge fan cruise. Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes says he’s particularly excited about next year’s edition of the cruise, which runs from February 7 to 11.
“I think it’s gonna be pretty spectacular,” Downes tells ABC Radio. “Certainly the lineup of bands is incredible this time…[T]here’s a huge kind of prog family onboard, and it’s always a good atmosphere.”
Among the artists joining Yes on the seafaring music fest are Kansas, ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, Asia frontman John Wetton, Focus, Curved Air, founding Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and former Yes/Moody Blues keyboardist Patrick Moraz. Downes says that with veteran bands like Curved Air and Focus taking part in the cruise, the event is “a bit of a trip down memory lane, certainly back to my teens, when I was first getting into all of this music.”
Meanwhile, Downes, Wetton and Yes guitarist Steve Howe all being on the ship means that three-quarters of Asia’s original lineup will be present, although Geoff tells ABC Radio that he doesn’t think a reunion performance is likely.
“Because there’s so much music onboard, it’s really hard to have more,” he maintains. “And I think that [Wetton is] gonna be doing some of his own stuff…[Y]ou never know what might happen, but I think it’s more likely that we’re just gonna do our own things.”
Beyond the regular musical performances, Downes says highlights of the cruise include storyteller-style events, while fans also have the chance to get albums signed by the artists.
“It’s a nice trip,” says Geoff, “and if you’re into prog-rock music it’s really a must-see.” For more details about the cruise, visit CruisetotheEdge.com.
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