Progressive rock supergroup Asia return with the first of three new live albums. Recorded at Trading Boundaries in Sussex in April 2025 (and reviewed in MetalTalk), this lineup features original member Geoff Downes, John Mitchell (guitar and backing vocals), Virgil Donati (drums) and the incredible Harry Whitley (bass and lead vocals).
Asia – Live In England
Release Date: 13 March 2026
Words: Robert Adams
For this album, the first of three planned, the band play their self-titled debut album in full, along with bonus tracks Ride Easy, The Heat Goes On, and a rocking cover of The Buggles Video Killed The Radio Star.
These three gigs at Trading Boundaries were a chance for the band to road test the material before flying to Japan to play arenas. Given that they were live rehearsals, the band sound incredible and more than do the material justice.
It is a daunting prospect for any musician to take over from bona fide legends. John Mitchell (Arena, Frost*, It Bites) rises to the occasion magnificently, taking on Steve Howe’s guitar parts.
The same can be said for Virgil Donati (Planet X) with Carl Palmer’s iconic drumming. Most eyes and ears are on Harry Whitley as he tackles the late John Wetton’s bass lines and lead vocals. It is a challenge that Whitley more than rises to, and his performance is nothing short of incredible.
“Revisiting the entire first ASIA album brought all the great memories flooding back from 43 years ago,” Original member Geoff Downes has said. “In the studio with John, Steve, Carl and, of course, the great Mike Stone at the production helm.”
Leading off with Heat Of The Moment, Asia’s most successful single (reaching #15 in the UK singles chart), it quickly becomes apparent that this is way more than a tribute act.
John Mitchell also expressed his love for this track. “Heat Of The Moment is a very dear song close to my heart. Having performed it a vast number of times over the years both previously with the John Wetton solo band and with John and Geoff in Icon, from the quiet introspective acoustic version at The Borderline to the full band amped up version in front of 12000 strong in St Petersburg, it is both an uplifting anthem and a quiet tonic for the soul which never fails to bring warmth to the many.”
As mentioned in Adrian Stonley’s fantastic review of the first two shows at Trading Boundaries, Asia are as strong musically as they have ever been.
I bought the first Asia album when it came out back in 1982. In fact, I had the picture disc version featuring Roger Dean’s iconic artwork. Listening to this new live recording of that wonderful debut brought me straight back to all those years ago.
The great thing is, it has aged surprisingly well. Sure, there are a few moments that scream ’80s, but on the whole, it remains fresh. That is a testament to the fantastic songwriting contained within the album.
This new live recording, produced impeccably by John Mitchell, sounds so good.
“I was reminded of what a collection of great songs and performances made up the album,” Downes said, “variety and musical dynamics to the fore. When we recorded it again earlier this year, I was drawn to some of the less featured tracks and realised how much they played an important part of overall album.”
Now, Asia, Live In England, should be on every rock fan’s playlist. Do yourselves a favour and introduce, or reintroduce yourselves to Asia.
This lineup really is something special indeed.
Asia – Live In England is released on 13 March 2026 via Frontiers Music s.r.l. For more details, visit ffm.bio/asia-liveinengland.
