Asia Tickets

This tour is a really nice Asia show, touching on many aspects of their career. Rather than dwell on the past, the band continues to make outstanding new music, and actually play it during their shows. The set featured 4-5 songs from the excellent new Omega album, including the stunning Holy War, as well as 2 from the previous album, Phoenix -- Never Again and Extraordinary Life. The band also dipped into their catalog to play two tracks that Steve Howe did not originally perform on -- Go from Astra and Days Like These from the Then and Now compilation. And they played Open Your Eyes from the Alpha CD, which is my favorite Asia song. Of course Steve Howe had his accuoustic solo set, and Carl Palmer his drum solo. John Wetton and Geoff Downes also performed "Don't Cry" as a duet. Most impresive was "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," which started out as a duet with Wetton and Downes and came to a full electric climactic finish when Howe and Palmer rejoined the band. The show really came alive at that point, with Howe commanding the band at various times with his amazing guitar skills. The only negative aspect of the show was its length. At 1:45, it was shorter than previous tours over the last few years.A 2-hour show is really what these guys should be playing. Throwing in "Wildest Dreams" as a third encore would have helped extend the night. Penn's Peak is a remarkable venue for any show. I chose to drive from Philly to see the band their rather than suffer through a casino show in Atlantic City. Why don't these guys play Philly proper anymore?.

I can't say enough how great the Asia concert was. I had very low expectations because I thought they were a bunch of old folks. Well, I tell you what... they can sing and play like the first day! I REALLY enjoyed the concert. John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe were simply out of this world! Their album Omega is OLD ASIA material. I definitely recommend this group to anyone over the age of 10 in the 80s... :-) ASIA ROCKS !!!

While the sound guy seemed to favor Wetton's bass in the mix a lot more than I would prefer, the venue and band were amazing. The audience was quiet and the venue was intimate. I hope to return there and see Asia again.

The 4 original members are still tight and the sound is beyond excellent! They had great enthusiasm and Wetton's volcals are still totally on. I felt like I stepped backi into time when I heard their songs from '82. Downes is in command at the keys and Palmer's drum solo is worth the price of admission. Steve Howe is a master artist and as I listened to his solo, I was mezmorized thinking I was hearing 2 guitars! YOU MUST NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!!!

I enjoyed hearing Asia play their songs live again and the venue was fantastic. Every part of the listening area had tables and chairs, all positioned very close to the stage, and a kitchen was also available to serve food. I've never experienced anything like it, in the presence of a major musical artist performance. Yes, I've been to beer halls before with live music, but this was many steps up from that venue. Asia sounded great and they played all of my favorite tracks from every album recording in which John Wetton performed as singer.

As usual a perfect show. They sounded and looked great! We were able to snag a table right down in front this time, not that there really is a bad seat at the Birchmere! If you love good classic rock n roll...but the orig. Asia on your list of must see.

great concert. highlight for me was long version of the smile has left your eyes. started with just wetton on vocals and downes on keyboard. finishes with palmer and howe. a rousing tune. material from new omega album was okay. they played most of their old stuff toward the end and finished with heat of the moment. money well spent!

Wow! These guys can still lay it down. Anytime you get the chance to see Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, John Wetton and Geoff Downes on one stage at a smaller venue like the Birchmere - DO IT! Each of these guys individually belong in the Rock Pantheon, having them together again as ASIA is Nirvana. Carl Palmer is a relentless engine that drives this amazing machine. He still pounds the living daylights out of his drum set. Steve Howe remains the master on guitar. Always clean and perfect - his riffs ascend over the crowd as his fingers fly over the frets. John Wetton sounds strong on lead, and his base provides a driving low end that compliments Carl's drum play well. I still think Geoff Downes is the unsung hero in the band. His layers of sound make every performance so rich. I sat right in front where he was set-up (drumming my fingers on the stage...). What a show.

Asia was one of the "supergroups" spawned during the 80s, and a special favorite of mine among the prog-rock groups, second only to ELP. I was excited about the possibility of finally seeing the original incarnation of the band live after so many years. The venue was the Birchmere, which gives a clear impression of being a roadhouse from the exterior, but was surprisingly nice inside. [If you've never been there, which we hadn't until this show, you'll likely be surprised to learn that you can have a full dinner during the show. Weird, but it works.] Bottom line is that the band looking good and played well, but the guy running the soundboard was not up to the task. Steve Howe spend the entire show trying to figure out what level he was playing at and trying to get the techician to adjust it (he was difficult to hear), while Wetton's bass and Downes' keyboards were amped up to the level of distortion for nearly the whole show. Palmer's drums were about the only component of the mix at the right volume to be heard without getting lost or overwhelming everything. Added to this, the volume of the band was far in excess for 1) the size of the venue, and 2) the type of music. The rare songs that got the mix right were a joy, delivered with style, skill, and conviction. Sadly, in the end the sum was less than the parts.

It only took me 28 years to get the chance to see the original four band members of Asia live in concert & it was well worth the wait!!! I've been an Asia fan since the early 80s & was saddened when they split up. Needless to say, when I found out they had gotten back together a few years back & had a new album "Phoenix" out, I was elated! I missed them when they came through Alexandria, VA the last time but made sure I caught them this time! The boys sure know how to put on a show; they sounded fantastic! John Wetton's vocals were spot on! Geoffrey Downes keyboards were phenomenal! Steve Howe smoked on the guitar & Carl Palmer drum solo was off the hook! They are a must-see for Asia fans & anyone who enjoys a great rock show!!! Pick up their new album "Omega" as well as "Phoenix"; it's as if the band never split up!!! Keep on rockin' guys; you are awesome!!!

My first time seeing Asia and it was definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. 4 absolutely top-notch musicians playing great music.

I went because of the impeccable progressive rock pedigree of the members, especially Carl Palmer, who is the greatest drummer in rock history, imho. I had seen them before and understood that Asia is trying to mainstream their prog sound for a wider audience, but I think they went too far now. This is 1980's style AOR, with traces of prog if you know what to listen for. This may be a case of the whole being less than the sum of the parts, as they did not really stretch out instrumentally much, instead keeping to the structure of pretty mainstream constructs. I think my opinion was a minority one; most of the crowd got what they came for, from the reaction.

Asia put on a performance that was technically and sonically brilliant! This could have been Asia from 25 years ago (except, of course for the new songs) !! Loved it!!!

I saw Asia on their original tour in 1982 in Austin, Texas. Their sound was amazing. They were the best "supergroup" in my opinion. This band joined Carl Palmer's precise percussion, Steve Howe's amazing guitar skills, John Wetton's fabulous vocals that were perfect for this style of music, and Geoff Downe's keyboard mastery into an extremely unique sound. I still cannot believe the opening act was a juggler performing with Beatles songs in the background!!! I am looking forward to seeing the revival of the original four members of the band. I will be among the first to purchase tickets to the San Antonio, Tx. concert when they go on sale.

The one and only ASIA is to progressive rock what a mystical unicorn is to fantasy. They represent the quintessential of where progressive rock has been (ELP, King Crimson, and Yes) where it went (ASIA-1, Heat of the moment, Only time will tell) and seeing these four masters of their artistry live is something not to be missed. Most would think that ageing veterans of 70’s rock (real rock) would have lost more than a few steps, but the Bands 20 year Hiatus has shown that all four (John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes) are in fact that magical unicorn or Green Sea Serpent that’s still trying to catch that pearl. Catch the OMEGA tour this summer or you’ll always wonder why you think great musicians (ego’s) can’t play together….there back!!

While "ASIA" is the band with the most remaining original members, "ASIA-Featuring John Payne" has the original bassist/vocalist that we all remember. "ASIA-Featuring John Payne" has rights to the entire collection of ASIA songs from the beginning to the end. So if you go to an "ASIA" show don't expect to hear all your favorites. They are only allowed to play a small era of songs. I did see "ASIA-Featuring John Payne" last year in CT. Incredible show, my 11 Year old son at the time had a blast. At first he thought it was going to be corny. Changed his mind when we were standing next to the stage and the guitarist actually stuck his guitar out at him and had him hit a string during the show. An incredible experiance. He gave him a guitar pick and signed it after the show. BTW, my son has seen many concerts up close and personal, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Joan Jett, BuckCherry, Rev Theory(my personal favorite), etc and still remembers this as one of his favs.

I would Highly recommend seeing the Original band mates. Most unforgettable show and will go again. They played the whole album of Asia I and few songs from Asia II. It took me in back in time, hanging out at the school yard blasting their music.