Yes Postpones European ‘Fragile’ Tour as Guitarist Steve Howe Prepares for ‘Essential Operation’

Yes is postponing their European tour so that guitarist Steve Howe can undergo an “essential operation.”

The English progressive rock band took to social media on Thursday (April 2) to announce that the group is delaying the 11-date Fragile tour of Europe to allow Howe time to recover from an undisclosed surgery.

“The upcoming YES ‘Fragile’ UK and EU Tour, due to commence on 22nd April, has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time,” Yes wrote on Instagram. “This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve.”

The European leg of the tour was originally scheduled to begin on April 22 at Scotland’s Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and was set to feature a full performance of the band’s 1971 album, Fragile. The tour follows a North American leg, which took place in 2025.

Yes added, “We are working hard to reschedule the UK and EU shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter. Please retain your tickets as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates.”

The band concluded their statement, “Tour dates currently being arranged for later in 2026 will proceed as planned. Steve Howe and YES would like to thank their UK fans and hope for their continued support at this time.”

Released in November 1971, Fragile was Yes’s fourth album and the third they released within a 16-month span. It became the group’s most successful release up to that point, building on the success of The Yes Album, which had reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200. Fragile would peak at No. 4, surpassed only by Close to the Edge the following year.

Of the original lineup that recorded Fragile, only Howe remains an active member. Drummer Bill Bruford left the group in 1992, while vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman departed in 2004. Bassist Chris Squire stayed with the band until his passing in 2015.

See Yes’ full announcement on Instagram below.