Along with a handful of progressive rock pioneers, the elegant, classically-influenced style of Yes probably epitomised the experimental sounds of the early 70s more than any other group.

Led by founder member Jon Anderson and the keyboard wizardry of Rick Wakeman, no self-respecting record collection was complete without a copy of Close to the Edge or Tales from Topographic Oceans.

Now with Yes under wraps for the foreseeable future, Jon and Rick have joined forces to tour their intriguing two-man show for the very first time.

With the opening night only a few days away, I caught up with Jon Anderson at a studio in London to find him excited by the new acoustic Yes format: "It's the inauguration of a happening, you know, like anything new it's a challenge.

"We've been writing some new music and working through which of the old material we want to try out.

"It's still an idea - and the show will obviously tighten up when we tour, because only by performing in front of an audience can you really know how it sounds and feels"

As Jon and Rick appear to be constantly working and, with the other band members busy on their own projects, I wondered how the idea for an acoustic duo came about.

"Well, I had been doing my one-man show in the Far East and Hawaii and when I arrived home, Rick got in touch to say "we're playing a concert in Quebec, would you be interested in me and you opening the show, which we did and it worked out very well," said Anderson.

"Soon afterwards, a promoter who had seen the show suggested we bring it to the UK - and here we are."

Yes fans certainly won't be disappointed by the set-list and can look forward to familiar material, albeit in an unfamiliar setting.

"It will be a relaxed evening of acoustic Yes songs and much more.

"We picked out the songs we still love to perform, variations on Owner of a Lonely Heart, Roundabout, And You and Turn of the Century."

There are a lot of favourites and before you know it, you've got a dozen Yes songs all ready to go. You suddenly realise that it's the history of who we are."

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman
Monday, October 16
Fairfield Halls
8688 9291