ASIA attracts hundreds to park

MOSES LAKE - ASIA featuring John Payne drew an energetic, enthusiastic crowd of about 300 people to McCosh Park Saturday night.

Once the first song started, audience members quickly walked to the front row to take photos and shoot video of the rock band.

Some people stayed in the front to hear the music better and dance on a flat surface.

Kids sporting glow-in-the-dark necklaces added to the fun atmosphere.

"Thank you very much, I hope you're going to make plenty of noise tonight," Payne said after the band's first few songs, "Long Way from Home," and "Who Will Stop the Rain?"

Some people yelled and screamed in response.

Payne complimented the audience on how great the venue was. Not many towns offer free concerts anymore because of budget cuts, he said.

Payne thanked the Moses Lake City Council for allowing the event, which was part of the 2011 Free Summer Concert Series.

"It's really, really cool to play outside in such a beautiful place," Payne commented.

The band wrote "Silent Nation" in response to controversial radio personality Howard Stern being kicked off a radio station for speaking out, Payne said.

They also performed "Days Like This," a song released in the late 1980s, "Go," and "Desire," a song inspired by the movie "Naked Lunch."

"Let's dedicate this to former bad days," Payne said of "Days Like This."

He told the audience they were giving them a special treat by bringing Erik Norlander to the stage for a keyboarding event.

Payne left the stage and Norlander performed "Time Again," "Don't Cry" and "Different Worlds."

The band rejoined for its next to last performance, "Military Man."

The song was written for all people dedicated to fighting for their country and braving death.

ASIA closed with its 1982 hit "Heat of the Moment."

ASIA's has upcoming performances in Denver, Colo., and Dubuque, Iowa.