Asia’s Geoff Downes has announced the “Heat of the Moment” 2024 tour, headlined by Asia and also featuring Focus, Martin Turner (ex Wishbone Ash) and Curved Air. The concerts will be MC’d by artist Roger Dean. The 20-date U.S. run—plus one show in Canada—begins July 3. Tickets are available here.
From the April 23 announcement: Keyboard legend Downes (also Buggles, YES) organized the new iteration of Asia in 2023, at the concert held in memory of late lead singer, songwriter and bassist, John Wetton, born 75 years ago. Downes invited old friend John Mitchell and newcomer Harry Whitley to join him on stage to celebrate Wetton’s life by performing some of Asia’s classic rock hits. Such was the uproarious reception to their set, that Downes wondered if something magical was beginning to take shape.
“The John Wetton tribute last August really reminded me how much Asia’s music belongs on the stage. The response to it all was literally… spine-tingling,” he says. On what would have been Wetton’s 75th birthday on June 12, the band wrote, “We honour his memory every day. It is our privilege to keep John’s incredible legacy alive.”
Downes’ new-look Asia will once again feature Mitchell on guitars and Whitley on lead vocal and bass. The quartet will be made complete by the addition of Virgil Donati (UK, Southern Sons, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth) on drums.
Focus, Martin Turner and Curved Air will also perform sets. All three support acts feature their founder bandleaders.
Focus will be releasing a new studio album, Focus 12, on July 5. [It’s available for pre-order here.] They are led by Thijs van Leer, with original 1970’s drummer Pierre Van Der Linden, and the virtuoso talents of Menno Gootjes on guitar and Udo Pannekeet on bass.
Martin Turner was lead vocalist, bassist, founding member and creative force behind 70’s rockers Wishbone Ash.
Formed in 1970, Curved Air are one of the founders of progressive rock and a retrospective collection of their most influential and ground-breaking material is currently in the planning stages. Sonja Kristina (vocals) and Kirby Gregory (guitar) will perform an acoustic set featuring some of the band’s most memorable musical moments, joined by violinist Grzegorz Gadziomski.
Each performance on the tour will be MC’d by legendary artist and stage designer Roger Dean, whose artwork is synonymous with the music of the era. Items from his fine art gallery will be available for purchase.
Says Downes, “I am convinced that John (Wetton’s) spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure. After all, it is the Year of the Dragon – just as it was in 1982, when we released our first Asia album. It’s as though it was meant to be.”
Asia “Heat of the Moment” Tour (Tickets will be available here)
July 03: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
July 04: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
July 06: Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA
July 07: The Paramount, Huntingdon, NY
July 09: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ
July 10: Count Basie Center, Red Bank, NJ
July 12: Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City, NJ
July 13: Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, PA
July 14: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
July 16: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
July 17: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
July 18: Columbia County Performing Arts Center, Evans, GA
July 20: Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
July 21: Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, FL
July 22: Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa, FL
July 24: North Charleston PAC, North Charleston, SC
July 25: Macon City Auditorium, Macon, GA
July 26: Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL
July 28: VBC Mark Smith Concert Hall, Huntsville, AL
July 30: The Arcada Theatre, St Charles, IL
July 31: The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
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