Three days prior to the Human League gig Colin, Dave & myself went to see the original Asia line up at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. It was one of the best concerts I've seen for a long time.I'd seen the John Payne/Geoff Downes Asia a couple of times (2002, 2005) and they were very good both times but this was in another league entirely.
The band performed two sets separated by an interval. Set One consisted of 'Time Again', 'Wildest Dreams' , 'One Step Closer' , the old Yes classic 'Roundabout', 'Without You', 'Cutting It Fine', an acoustic spot by Steve Howe ('From The Balcony' and 'Mood For A Day') and 'Fanfare for the Common Man' (fine keyboard work from Geoff Downes on this one).
Set Two consisted of 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (acoustic)', a fine acoustic version of ' Don't Cry' (I first heard that song in 1983 in a hotel room in Paris!), the majestic and funereal 'In the Court of the Crimson King' (I was very surprised they did that one!), 'Here Comes the Feeling', a full band version of 'Video Killed the Radio Star' (!!), a fabulous version of 'The Heat Goes On' incorporating a spectacular drum solo from Carl Palmer, 'Ride Easy' (acoustic') 'Only Time Will Tell' and , 'Sole Survivor'.
The sight and sound of Steve Howe adding a guitar solo to 'Video Killed The Radio Star' with Carl Palmer on drums and a grinning Geoff Downes in ray-bans and a tasteless retro jacket was as wonderful as it was surreal!
I'd waited 24 years to see this incarnation of Asia and it was even better than I thought it would be. A world class rock band on top form in a small, nearby venue. Worth £16 of anyone's money I'd say.
