Originally published by l.S. Media. April 24th 2009.

Opening the set with Only Time Will Tell and Wildest Dreams from their 1982 debut album Asia, the stage was set for the four men to provide one of their great shows that they are famous for; and as ever they didn’t disappoint.

As always, Asia started the gig as consummate professionals and as always never relaxed the tone as they turned back the clock to play The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.

Steve Howe then took centre stage as he played beautifully the opening bars of the classic Yes song Roundabout which only enforced his position as one of the true great guitarists of his generation. This was followed up by Time Again, an acoustic version of Don’t Cry and Heroine from the 2008 album release, and aptly named Phoenix.

With a back catalogue to die for, Asia are spoiled for choice whenever they tour, but manage to appeal to old fans and new by including in the set some of the records that made them famous outside of the super group they became.

This included the second set opener from drummer Carl Palmer Fanfare for the Common Man took centre stage. This track, an almost guaranteed crowd pleaser in whichever venue they play in, took the crowd back to a time when Emerson, Lake and Palmer were the darlings of the rock world.

John Wetton has had much publicised health problems over the previous years, but it hasn’t affected his voice or the ability to perform a stunning set.  This was shown superbly with the song Extraordinary Life which reminded the audience how close to losing an icon of the British Progressive rock scene Asia fans had been. This was further demonstrated during In the Court of the Crimson King from the 1969 album Crimson King.

Carl Palmer was again left on stage to play one of his incredible drum solos, which as ever used every cymbal, every skin and every bit of passion to produce a master class in the art of drumming and percussion.

Asia finished an incredible set with the classic Heat of the Moment as the encore for which the band received a well deserved standing ovation.

Ian D. Hall