All photos by Bob Steshetz
facebook.com/BobByRequest
Last Sunday, I witnessed a magnificent display of musicianship when Asia performed before a nearly sold out crowd at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
Clocking in at just under two hours long, the show covered a major chunk of the multi-platinum 1982 self-titled debut LP as well as selections from '83 follow up Alpha, 2008 reunion disc Phoenix, 2010's Omega and the new album, XXX. The latter signifies Asia's 30th anniversary.
Singer/bassist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Carl Palmer proved they've lost none of their power in the intervening years. Among the highlights: opener "Only Time Will Tell," “An Extraordinary Life,” "Holy War" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," which started as a simple showcase for Wetton's robust voice and Downes' wondrous melodies until the band gradually joined in.
Downes was clearly the busiest member onstage, with his hands continually moving between racks to trigger various sounds, plus handling backing vocals.
Here's what Asia played...
Main set: Only Time Will Tell / Wildest Dreams / Face on the Bridge / Time Again / Tomorrow the World / Ride Easy / Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Steve Howe solo) / In the Course of the Day (Howe solo) / I Know How You Feel / Don’t Cry / The Smile Has Left Your Eyes / Cutting It Fine / Holy War / (Carl Palmer drum solo) / An Extraordinary Life / Here Comes the Feeling / Open Your Eyes
Encore: Sole Survivor / Heat of the Moment
facebook.com/BobByRequest
 |
| singer John Wetton |
Last Sunday, I witnessed a magnificent display of musicianship when Asia performed before a nearly sold out crowd at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
 |
| guitarist Steve Howe |
Clocking in at just under two hours long, the show covered a major chunk of the multi-platinum 1982 self-titled debut LP as well as selections from '83 follow up Alpha, 2008 reunion disc Phoenix, 2010's Omega and the new album, XXX. The latter signifies Asia's 30th anniversary.
 |
| keyboardist Geoff Downes |
Singer/bassist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Carl Palmer proved they've lost none of their power in the intervening years. Among the highlights: opener "Only Time Will Tell," “An Extraordinary Life,” "Holy War" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," which started as a simple showcase for Wetton's robust voice and Downes' wondrous melodies until the band gradually joined in.
 |
| drummer Carl Palmer |
Downes was clearly the busiest member onstage, with his hands continually moving between racks to trigger various sounds, plus handling backing vocals.
Here's what Asia played...
Main set: Only Time Will Tell / Wildest Dreams / Face on the Bridge / Time Again / Tomorrow the World / Ride Easy / Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Steve Howe solo) / In the Course of the Day (Howe solo) / I Know How You Feel / Don’t Cry / The Smile Has Left Your Eyes / Cutting It Fine / Holy War / (Carl Palmer drum solo) / An Extraordinary Life / Here Comes the Feeling / Open Your Eyes
Encore: Sole Survivor / Heat of the Moment
Best band ever IMHO. LOVE THEM!
ReplyDelete