Geoff Downes will lead a reformed lineup of Asia on a tour celebrating the group’s platinum 1982 debut. Additionally featured on the multi-act invoice are Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash, Focus, Curved Air and emcee Roger Dean, the artist who created Asia’s album covers.
The Warmth of the Second Tour will hit 21 North American cities in July. An entire checklist of dates and cities is beneath.
Downes says the thought for this tour emerged from the Extraordinary Life Memorial Live performance, 2023’s tribute to his late Asia bandmate John Wetton. That “jogged my memory how a lot Asia’s music belongs on the stage,” Downes mentioned in an official assertion. “The response to all of it was actually spine-tingling.”
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Among the many featured musicians on the tribute present was guitarist John Mitchell, who labored with Wetton and Downes in Icon and the John Wetton Band. He’ll be a part of Downes in a brand new Asia lineup that additionally consists of drummer Virgil Donati and bassist and vocalist Harry Whitley. Donati was a part of a memorable reunion of the prog-rock band UK with Wetton.
“With the addition of Virgil Donati and John Mitchell … that is virtually going full circle making an allowance for their earlier shut collaborations with John,” Downes added. “Finishing this circle can be the superb Harry Whitley, who completely floored the viewers together with his unimaginable vocal interpretation of the Asia songs that John and I so lovingly wrote through the years.”
Focus is ready to launch a brand new album later this yr. The band remains to be led by Thijs van Leer, and options ’70s-era drummer Pierre Van Der Linden. Sonja Kristina likewise stays with Curved Air, and can once more be showing with longtime guitarist Kirby Gregory. Turner has been touring as “Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash” for a couple of decade now.
‘John’s Spirit Is With Us’
Asia was co-founded by Downes, who’s appeared in each iteration of the group. Downes, Wetton and fellow unique members Steve Howe and Carl Palmer had been solely initially collectively from 1981-83, when Wetton left. Howe departed a yr later and the unique 4 did not reunite till a remaining run between 2006-13.
Palmer now leads an Emerson Lake and Palmer offshoot band, whereas Howe has remained in Sure with Downes. Wetton died in 2017.
“I’m satisfied that John’s spirit is with us as we set out on this new journey,” Downes mentioned. “In spite of everything, it’s the 12 months of the Dragon – simply because it was in 1982, after we launched our first Asia album. It is as if it was meant to be.”
The Warmth of the Second Tour Tour Dates
7/3: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
7/4: Fallsview On line casino, Niagara Falls, ON
7/6: Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA
7/7: The Paramount, Huntingdon, NY
7/9: Bergen Performing Arts Middle, Englewood, NJ
7/10: Rely Basie Middle, Crimson Financial institution, NJ
7/12: Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic Metropolis, NJ
7/13: Wind Creek Occasion Middle, Bethlehem, PA
7/14: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
7/16: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
7/17: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
7/18: Columbia County Performing Arts Middle, Evans, GA
7/20: Arduous Rock Stay, Orlando, FL
7/21: Pompano Seaside Amphitheater, Pompano Seaside, FL
7/22: Seminole Arduous Rock, Tampa, FL
7/24: North Charleston PAC, North Charleston, SC
7/25: Macon Metropolis Auditorium, Macon, GA
7/26: Saenger Theatre, Cellular, AL
7/28: VBC Mark Smith Live performance Corridor, Huntsville, AL
7/30: The Arcada Theatre, St Charles, IL
7/31: The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
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