Asia are a band that have now been in existence for over forty years in various guises and through numerous lineup changes. With the only original member being Geoffrey Downes, this lineup is still being touted as original Asia, mainly due to the backing of Lisa Wetton, widow of the late, great John Wetton. But Asia is now as strong musically as they have ever been, and to a certain extent, they bring back the prog element to the band.
Asia
Trading Boundaries, Fletching, Sussex – 10-11 April 2025
Words And Photography: Adrian Stonley
With Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes, DBA) as the main man at the helm and on keyboards he is more than ably surrounded by John Mitchell (ex It Bites, Frost*, Kino, Arena) on guitars, Virgil Donati (ex Planet X, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Walsh) on drums and relative newcomer Harry Whitley on vocals and bass.
As to the concerts, MetalTalk were fortunate to be at the first two of three concerts at the niche boutique venue Trading Boundaries, and this was of particular luck as these three concerts are the only dates currently likely to be played by the band in the UK this year.
In fact, these were purely warm-ups for the band’s forthcoming Japanese tour and enabled them to work through various material and iron out any bugs before hitting the arenas in Japan. This really was a case of “Arena Rock Meets Restaurant,” said Michael Clifford, owner of Trading Boundaries.
Each night was specifically themed, and all three shows were recorded and filmed for a potential later release. So those who could not get one of the few tickets for these sold-out shows, do not despair.
The shows were broken into two parts. The first night saw the band play the first Asia album in its entirety, and a selection of greatest hits from other albums.
The second night comprised both Asia and Alpha albums in their entirety, while the third night saw the band play Asia and Astra in their entirety. All shows saw the albums played in the same order as they were on the original album releases. 
Asia – Night One
In many ways, the first set on the first night was the most interesting as it enabled the band to play songs that not only suited the fans but also allowed them to play tracks that would not usually be considered in the set, including a couple of very pleasant surprises.
Opening with Don’t Cry from the Alpha album, this set the template for what was to follow.
Playing in such a small venue ensured that the performance was very much based upon the music, with basic lighting and no other stage encumbrances. This was Asia stripped to the bone, and this also saw the musicality foremost. This was not an arena show with lights, lasers, and special effects. This was all about the music and the musicians, stripped musically bare, with little room for error.
Yet with such consummate musicians, error is not a word in their combined dictionaries. These shows may well have been warm-ups, but with the exception of one small technical glitch on the first night, everything ran perfectly, straight as a die.
Rubicon from the first Wetton-Downes album followed, and was a very pleasant surprise. Having, as far I am aware, only been played once before by the band at the John Wetton Tribute show. This is a song that could have fitted perfectly into the Asia repertoire, with all of the key hooks and emotions drawn through John Wetton’s writing and composition. In many ways, these shows were just as much a tribute to John as a warm-up for later shows.
With much of the balance of the first set material based around the albums not being played on this evening, the audience were treated to such aural delights as The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and The Heat Goes On from the Alpha album and Voice Of America and Go from the Astra album.
Yet there were additional surprises, such as An Extraordinary Life from the Phoenix album, specifically dedicated to John Wetton and Daylight, an outtake bonus track from the Alpha album.
The second set, quite simply, was a lesson in perfect soft rock musicianship, albeit with the typical progressive elements built in. In this environment, the depth of the songs came more to the fore.
Yes, all the radio friendly hits were here, but in playing the album in its entirety it enabled the band to play some of the deeper cuts that do not see the light of day so often. Certainly, songs such as One Step Closer and Cutting It Fine enabled the band to really open up and show what they as musicians are made of and how the songs really fit together.
With the encore came another surprise with the band breaking into Ride Easy, another outtake track from the original Asia album, and certainly one that has not been a regular on the set list.
To finish the show, the band launched into The Buggles classic, Video Killed The Radio Star which saw the entire audience on their feet singing along. It was very clear from the reaction that both band and audience thoroughly enjoyed their evening, and what was so good was that there would be two further nights of this. Outstanding.
Asia – Night Two
So, to the second night. Not only did we get a second round of the Asia album, we also got the Alpha album, in its entirety. Yet the show opened with another surprise in Lying To Yourself from the Aurora EP. A track that had originally only been released as a B-Side to The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. In fact, the latter track received a re-work with John Mitchell stripping this back to its bare bones and playing it acoustically.
Set-wise, there are no real surprises on the second night, other than those already highlighted. The two albums were played again in album order, and the encore was the same, albeit with the addition of Daylight being thrown in at the end.
Concentrating on the classic first three albums is an obvious winner. Certainly, it was for the fans here on these nights. Yet, close your eyes, and this lineup could well be the ‘original’ Asia. They are synchronised with the music, clearly feeling the legacy of the past, but more than capable of stamping their own mark on proceedings. As a band, they are all very strong musicians in their own right and, like the original Asia, all carry a past musical legacy of their own.
With Geoff Downes as ringmaster on keys dictating the direction of the show, exhibiting numerous technical flourishes as well as humorous interludes, it was clear that he was back in his element.
Then we have the mercurial talent exhibited by John Mitchell, who makes it look all so simple, yet produces note-perfect playing and rings emotion and technical perfection out of every note.
On drums is the powerhouse that is Virgil Donati. Perhaps not as flashy as his predecessor Carl Palmer, but he more than makes up for that in drive, acting as the band’s workhorse, powering through the songs and providing the perfect backdrop for the songs to sit on.
Finally, there is Harry Whitley. For many a less recognised name, yet not only is he a more than adept bass player, with the ability to play John’s technical bass lines, but his voice is uncannily like John Wetton’s. Close your eyes, and it sounds as though John is in the room.
Much as it was wonderful to step back through the years and relive part of my youth for a couple of nights, it would also be very interesting to see any future musical direction this version of Asia would take once writing new material.
Hopefully, that is not so far away, and we can see what the future will hold. Certainly, I, along with the few lucky ones who got tickets for these shows, am more than happy to have old memories rekindled and new memories made.
Asia – Setlists
1st Night
Set 1:
Don’t Cry [Alpha]
Rubicon [Wetton Downes]
Voice Of America [Astra]
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes [Alpha]
Lying To Yourself [Alpha Bonus Track]
An Extraordinary Life [Phoenix]
Daylight [Alpha Bonus Track]
The Heat Goes On [Alpha]
Go [Astra]
Set 2: Asia
Heat Of The Moment
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
One Step Closer
Time Again
Wildest Dreams
Without You
Cutting It Fine
Here Comes The Feeling
Encore
Ride Easy [Asia – Bonus Track]
Video Killed The Radio Star [Buggles Cover]
2nd Night
Set 1: Alpha
Lying To Yourself [Aurora E.P.]
Don’t Cry
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
Never In A Million Years
My Own Time
The Heat Goes On
Eye To Eye
The Last To Know
True Colours
Midnight Sun
Open Your Eyes
Set 2: Asia
Heat Of The Moment
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
One Step Closer
Time Again
Wildest Dreams
Without You
Cutting It Fine
Here Comes The Feeling
Encore
Daylight [Alpha Bonus Track]
Ride Easy [Asia Bonus Track]
Video Killed The Radio Star [Buggles Cover]
