ASIA – Live In England (2026) *HQ*

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Frontiers Music is releasing today “ASIA / Live In England“. Recorded live on the first of three unforgettable nights at Trading Boundaries in Sussex, in April 2025, this release captures the band performing their iconic 1982 debut album “Asia” in full, along with a selection of their greatest hits.
ASIA is roaring in its new, exhilarating lineup. Featuring Geoff Downes (keys), Virgil Donati (drums), John Mitchell (guitars – Arena, It Bites, etc.) and the astonishing Harry Whitley (on bass and vocals), this fresh incarnation of Asia brings both reverence for the classics and a thrilling new energy to the stage.
The setlist includes fan favorites like Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, One Step Closer and Time Again, alongside video-era and bonus tracks such as Ride Easy, Video Killed the Radio Star, The Heat Goes On.

As the first few chords of ‘Heat Of The Moment’ from John Mitchell ring out, the memories of what a great album this is, comes flooding back. What is even more surprising is how Harry Whitley’s voice stands out and ably fills the mighty baritone shoes of the late John Wetton. The crowd are already clapping along as the energy pouring off the stage is in full effect.

Geoff Downes unmistakable keyboard sounds parp out the start of ‘Only Time Will Tell’ as this tightly locked together band rock out and Mitchell’s sustained riffs ring out. What is clear here is that the quality of both the recording and the sound sources themselves are simply stunning making for a brilliant listening experience.
The synth/trumpet fanfare intro and themes of ‘Only Time Will Tell’ became a kind of 1980s perennial sound technique, used by a lot of bands in years to come.

`Sole Survivor’ with its driving chug and initial soloing riffery kicks in and once more Whitley’s vocal is sublime as is his bass playing! The mystical prog sounds of guitar and synths announce the arrival of `One Step Closer’ as Downes, Mitchell and Whitley’s vocals harmonise together.
The dark phrasings of `Time Again’ launch this intensely instrumental track which sees Downes and Mitchell dual between guitar and keys interspersed by Whitley’s dominating vocal presence. The caliber of musicianship here is amazing. `Wildest Dreams’ slows the pace a little paving the way for the equally hauntingly beautiful `Without You’ which incorporates key and timing changes galore with pure mastery.

`Cutting It Fine’ rocks out and could so easily be a musical cousin of many Marillion hits which share the driving riffs, brilliant hook lines and souring clean guitar parts but what sets this apart is the orchestral plucked violin, brass and piano parts courtesy of Mr Downes. The classic `Here Comes The Feeling’ hits home as this hit blasts out in perfect clarity. Dare I say that it sounds even better than the original!!

The first bonus track, `Ride Easy’ which was originally released as a B-side to `Heat Of The Moment’ is up next. This mid-tempo, progressive and melodic track fits well around the other songs on the setlist and is a delight to hear. We move left of field with `Video Killed The Radio Star’ but its well-received and sounds great even if it’s not very rocky!
We finish with upbeat and epic `The Heat Goes On’. Gritty guitars, infectious rhythms, pounding piano and Whitley’s powerful, warm voice nail this anthemic song. What a way to end a show!

With Asia’s legacy spanning over 40 years — from multi-million selling albums like ASIA, Alpha, and Astra to defining the sound of the MTV era — this new line-up proves that the Year of the Dragon is bringing the legendary songs to life for a whole new generation of fans.
This incarnation of Asia is one of the best since the bands inception. The performance is kept warm and organic by Whitley’s vocal enhancements which add to Downes, Mitchell and Donati’s already impeccable musicianship.
We hope to hear more from this fantastic lineup.
Highly Recommended

01 – Heat Of The Moment (Live)
02 – Only Time Will Tell (Live)
03 – Sole Survivor (Live)
04 – One Step Closer (Live)
05 – Time Again (Live)
06 – Wildest Dreams (Live)
07 – Without You (Live)
08 – Cutting It Fine (Live)
09 – Here Comes The Feeling (Live)
10 – Ride Easy (Bonus track) (Live)
11 – Video Killed The Radio Star (Bonus track) (Live)
12 – The Heat Goes On (Bonus track) (Live)

Geoff Downes – keys
Virgil Donati – drums
John Mitchell – guitars
Harry Whitley – vocals, bass

BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/Live-England-Asia/dp/B0G65X9RY6