SOUND CHECK: Remember how easy it used...

SOUND CHECK: Remember how easy it used to be to go to a concert?

You just stood in line for hours to get the ticket or paid a scalper some outrageous amount, right?

Well, you still have to do that--but you’ve also got to remember to bring batteries.

Batteries?

Haven’t you heard about the Yes concerts July 17 at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion and July 21 and 22 at the Greek Theatre?

Don’t be surprised if the person in front of you in line is carrying a transistor radio and headphones.

After years of catching every sonic nuance of progressive-rock faves Yes on headphones at home, fans will now be able to listen to them on headphones at the concert.

A special area has been set aside at the concerts for fans to bring the devices so they can pick up a “special mix” of the show beamed from the stage. Other fans will listen to the music over the regular sound system.

Most of the tickets already have been sold for the shows, but more than 50 tickets for this section have been held for each night and will be given away as part of radio station promotions--with the winners also receiving new radios and headphones.

If the experiment works, it’s possible that all fans will be able to listen through headphones at some future concerts.