Concert Review
The Fixx
Colin Blunstone
Peter Asher
Tuesday September 29, 2026
RIT Performing Arts Center
Rochester, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
What went down at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Performing Arts Center Tuesday evening was something many did not expect. It was like taking a trip back in time as the triple bill of bands The Fixx, Colin Blunstone from The Zombies and Peter Asher from Peter and Gordon gave a quite history lesson. All three were quite entertaining while dishing out the goods and never made for a dull moment.
It began with Peter Asher who not only is known for being one half of the Peter and Gordon (Waller) duo but has had quite the career in the music industry. Asher was also the A&R man at Apple Records in the late 60s and is known for discovering then unknown James Taylor. He has worked in the business under many occupations including record producer as well as managing artists.
So Asher took to the stage and told a few stories about his adventures in the wonderful world of music. He also played a few of the songs he was associated with such as Carol King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” and his and Gordon’s chart topper “A World Without Love”. Asher was joined by violinist Aubrey Richmond and keyboardist Robert Berry. I would bet if he didn’t have a curfew he could have gone on for hours discussing things he’s seen in the business.
Up next came Colin Blunstone. He just recently turned 81 and not only watching and listening to him perform you would never know his age. His voice sounded marvelous and he hasn’t lost a thing as he still sings all the songs in their original keys. That is something many artists cannot do as they age. Blunstone has clearly done a great job taking care of his voice to be able to pull that off.
Blunstone’s band included guitarist Søren Koch and Steve Rodford on drums who both toured and played with the Zombies. Chas Cronk on bass, keyboardist Dave Bainbridge and percussionist Dean Anshutz rounded out the lineup.
Blunstone featured many songs from The Zombies since Rod Argent’s retirement in 2024. Blunstone remains the only original member left to perform the music of The Zombies. Highlights included some rarities snuggled in such as an early punkish “It’s Alright With Me”. Blunstone recorded a few songs with the Alan Parson Project over the years and performed his favorite “Old and Wise”. This left one song that had not been played to this point. Of course he ended with “She’s Not There” which brought the 55-minute set to a heartwarming close.
I was fortunate to see the Zombies once about ten years ago and upon seeing this show I was amazed at how well not only the band sounded but also Colin himself. It was no wonder why they were inducted in to the Rock Hall in 2019. A band that truly deserved their place in rock history. Anyone who is lucky to catch a future show cherish the moment as you do not know if you will get the chance again.
The Fixx finally made their return to town after twenty-two years since their last visit to the Water Street Music Hall in 2004. Cy Curnin and company delivered another solid performance. The band simply played a satisfying set to the adoring audience. It seemed Curnin never stopped moving all night as he constantly made gestures and used his body language to express himself as he always has.
The band took to the stage with “Beautiful Friction” from the 2012 release of the same name making a perfect way to begin the set. Other highlights included “Stand Or Fall”, “Secret Separation” and “Driven Out”. There was no doubt about what song the crowd wanted to hear the most. As guitarist Jamie West-Oram started the chords to “One Thing Leads To Another” the place erupted.
This band is an anomaly in how it has its lineup intact from their peak period of the mid 80s. Very few bands from that era can say that. Joining Curnin were drummer Adam Woods, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, guitarist West-Oram and bassist Dan K. Brown. Only Brown left in 1994 only to return in 2008.
As the band came back out for the encore, Curnin thanked the crowd and stated “ As long as you keep showing up, we’ll keep showing up”. Curnin brought out an old school huge brick cell phone as a prop. He pretended to answer it by saying to the audience “Our We Ourselves?”. The perfect ending to the 70-minute set. The Fixx not only managed to visit many of the nostalgic hits but at the same time made the show seem new and vigorous. The crowd fed off the music and Curnin’s theatrics as the band delivered a flawless show.
The Performing Arts. Center here at the Rochester Institute of Technology had just opened in April. It is a wonderful 747 seat, 50,000 square foot building that features excellent sight lines and atmospheric sound. This marked the first time a national act has played the venue. The British Invasion was the perfect choice to play the state of the art venue.
The Fixx
Colin Blunstone
Peter Asher
The Fixx
Beautiful Friction
How Much Is Enough?
Stand Or Fall
Chase the Fire
Secret Separation
Wake Up
Driven Out
Opinions
Happy Landings
Saved By Zero
One Thing Leads To Another
Deeper and Deeper
Red Skies
Encore
Are We Ourselves?
Colin Blunstone
Indication
I Love You
Tell Her No
I Remember When I Loved Her
It’s Alright With Me
I Don’t Believe In Miracles
If It Don’t Work Out
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
Say You Don’t Mind
This Will Be Our Year
Hung Up On A Dream
Time of the Season
Any Other Way
Old and Wise
She’s Not There
Peter Asher
Crying in the Rain
True Love Ways
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
I Go to Pieces
Lady Godiva
You’ve Got A Friend
A World Without Love
