Symphonic Rock Pioneers return to Japan for two concerts in Tokyo with their Symphonic Journey show, featuring the stunning five-octave voice of Annie Haslam and their unforgettable, unique style of symphonic rock.

The Tokyo concerts coincide with the Japanese release on the 14th September of the wonderful DVD/2CD live concert recording A Symphonic Journey.

More information and tickets:

September 17 – Japanese, English
September 18 – Japanese, English

I am in Nagoya, Japan and being treated so well. Jet lag is heavy duty, I will be rid of it by the time I leave here.

Went to the Tokugawa Museum yesterday overlooking a lake filled with the biggest KOI fish I have ever seen. They were bright yellow, white, orange and some that looked like they had graffiti on them, but Kink assured me that was not the case…

Air conditioning limited due to the low power and power plant situation. The hotel rooms are OK but the airports were a little sticky. This is the rainy season here right now, but due to climate changes the weather is not behaving normally as is evident the world over.

This really is a fascinating country and I encourage a visit here if you are able.

I am looking forward to the show tomorrow.

♥ Annie San

What started off as a request for for me to record a video message in support of Japanese earthquake victims and a special benefit concert at The Bottom Line in Nagoya Japan, has turned into my actually going there to perform!

A few weeks after the earthquake there was a photo that came up on my computer ‘news’ page of a 75 yr old farmer, Kunio Shiga, stranded and alone, sitting amongst the debris of his home four weeks after the deadly Tsunami had ripped through his village Minami Soma, and his homeland. It made me cry like so many of the devastating images I had seen every day, but for some reason this image stayed with me. I remember the headline well: ‘Stranded and Alone’.

Then shortly after, I was approached by Kink Kume, a LONG TIME friend who was organizing a benefit show in Nagoya to raise funds for the Japanese people affected by this terrible disaster! My mind immediately went back to when Renaissance performed in Japan last August, and as always, we were greeted so warmly by our Japanese fans.

This is a perfect opportunity to give something of myself for no other reason than to give my time and support in song and art. So, I am looking forward to this very special week in my life that I know will be memorable in many ways…

I will be singing accompanied by Japanese musicians and am also taking some paintings to auction. The show is ‘Music Saves’ Benefit for Japan’, June 19th 2011. It will be ‘streamed’ online at Ustream at:

2:00 PM – 9:30 PM Japan time, June 19th 2011
1:00 am – 8:30 am EST, USA on June 19th 2011

I will be singing some time between 7:40 am to 9:10 am EDT. If you miss it, it will be in the ‘Ustream’ archive section

♥ Annie

To all our fans and friends and all the people of Japan, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

We look forward to visiting your beautiful country again in the near future.

Love

Annie, Michael and Renaissance

Soon we will be on our way to the other side of the world for the second time in two months, to S.Korea! It’s not always easy to route shows/countries together as in this case, even so the need and desire is there, so off we go.  I have done some research and it looks like a very beautiful country, wish we had the time to travel around and see the countryside and beautiful temples. We are looking forward to performing in Seoul and getting to meet some of our loyal fans we have had for many years. We have to brush up on our Korean 🙂

Shows are at The Mapo Art Center, Seoul, October 9th and 10th.

August 21st 2010

Last night the newly created annual ‘Rock Legends’ Progressive Rock Fest’ was born! It was in Tokyo at an open air theater called ‘Hibiya Open Air Theatre’. Very nice venue a little like the Greek Theatre, LA, on a smaller scale on the edge of a park. There were 2000 people there.We had another great audience and of course The Mystic once again was a triumph. The big banner that flew above the stage was by Roger Dean. The soundcheck in the afternoon was most uncomfortable, it felt like it was in the 100’s… but as usual the crew did a marvellous job in getting everything ready in time…we were three major acts playing the same length of time….huge amounts of equipment, three drum risers and also keyboard risers. When the show started we took the stage again to wonderful reception (it was still daylight..5.20pm precisely) I think I was the most uncomfortable as far as the heat goes. It was about 96 but felt like 106! I lost concentration for a split second in Mother Russia but managed to get through. The band did a great show, but we were all still tired from the jet lag. After the show we went for a Japanese meal and drank LOTS of Sake! Perfect ending!

PS

It was great to meet up once more with our ‘sparring’ partners Steve Hackett and his band who of course played an amazing show!