Steve Howe hints at future Yes material

Steve Howe
Steve Howe (Image credit: Getty)

Steve Howe says that Yes have given some thought to new material.

The guitarist reports that they have “ideas” but is currently keeping his cards close to his chest.

He tells Billboard: “We’ve got an interim period where we’re going to be fairly secretive about what we’re up to.

“Maybe we’re building up repertoire for a future project, but we can’t say. We’ve got ideas, but I can’t say more than this right now.”

Howe’s son Virgil died unexpectedly in September at the age of 41, shortly after he and the guitarist had completed recording their collaborative album Nexus.

It launched last month via InsideOut Music – and the guitarist says there’s enough material that wasn’t used for “another adventure.”

Howe continues: “Since Virgil passed away, I’ve done an update on what’s around. There’s a fair bit of material there that could be developed into the same sort of area, because I wouldn’t like it to be too radically different than Nexus.

“But basically there is sufficient music for another adventure.”

Reflecting on Nexus, Howe says: “It’s become a kind of memorial to him, his legacy. It’s a great opportunity to pay homage to him. It gives me pleasure. It’s very warm. It’s a record that’s made with great pleasantry and great ambitions and didn’t have an endless amount of problems.

“Now it’s had a big problem, if you like, in the fact that Virgil can’t be here to see this reaction. But I enjoy it immensely.”

Yes will head out on tour across the UK and Europe in March to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Yes 50th anniversary tour dates 2018

Mar 13: Bristol Colston Hall, UK
Mar 14: Sheffield City Hall, UK
Mar 16: Glasgow SEC Armadillo, UK
Mar 17: Manchester Bridgewater Hall, UK
Mar 18: Gateshead Sage, UK
Mar 20: Birmingham Symphony Hall, UK
Mar 21: Brighton Centre, UK
Mar 23: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, UK
Mar 24: London Palladium, UK
Mar 25: London Palladium, UK
Mar 27: Tilburg 013, Netherlands
Mar 28: Antwerp De Roma, Belgium
Mar 30: Paris Olympia, France

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Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.