Asia is absolutely delighted to announce The Heat of The Moment Tour, headlined by Asia and featuring Focus, Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and Curved Air and MC’d by artist Roger Dean July 18 at Columbia County Performing Arts Center.

Tickets on sale Friday, April 26 at 10am and are available online at www.Ticketmaster.com and the Queensborough Box Office at CCPAC.

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The tour has been masterminded by rock music keyboard legend and original Asia member, Geoff Downes (Buggles, Asia, Yes).

Asia was the biggest selling album of 1982, number 1 on Billboard for 9 weeks and pioneers of the MTV era! Downes’ brand-new iteration of Asia first began to evolve last Summer, at the concert held in memory of late lead singer, songwriter and bassist, John Wetton (King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, UK, Asia, John Wetton Band, Icon). Downes invited old friend John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Lonely Robot, Kino, John Wetton Band, Icon) and new-comer Harry Whitley to join him on stage to celebrate Wetton’s life by performing some of the classic Asia hits. Such was the uproarious reception to their set, that Downes wondered if something magical was beginning to take shape.

“And so it was that 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.”

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.

Downes continues, “With the addition of Virgil Donati & John Mitchell, two of the finest musicians in the world in their respective classes, this is almost going full circle bearing in mind their previous close collaborations with John W. Completing this circle is also the amazing Harry Whitley who absolutely floored the audience with his incredible vocal interpretation of the Asia songs that John W and I so lovingly wrote over the years.”

The tour will also feature sets from other classic acts, Focus, Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and Curved Air. All three support acts boast their founder bandleaders and have deservedly attained the status of legend.

Focus will be releasing a brand-new studio album later in 2024. Led by the indomitable Sir Thijs van Leer, featuring original 1970’s drummer Pierre Van Der Linden, plus the virtuoso talents of Menno Gootjes on guitar and Udo Pannekeet on bass.

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 treat audiences to an acoustic set featuring some of the band’s most memorable musical moments. They will be joined by violinist Grzegorz Gadziomski.

Each performance on the tour will be MC’d by legendary artist Roger Dean. For so many, Dean’s artwork is synonymous with the music of the time and stands to represent the very best of British rock music.

The final word goes to Geoff 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. Looking forward to seeing you there, my friends – bring it on!”

ASIA

Geoffrey Downes - Keyboards, Vocals John Mitchell - Guitars, Vocals
Harry Whitley - Bass Guitar, Lead Vocal Virgil Donati - Drums

FOCUS

Thijs van Leer - Hammond Organ, Flute, Vocals Menno Gootjes - Guitars
Udo Pannekeet - Bass Guitar
Pierre van der Linden - Drums

MARTIN TURNER ex Wishbone Ash

Martin Turner - Bass guitar,Vocals Danny Willson - Guitars, Vocals Misha Nikolic - Guitars, Vocals Sonny Flint - Drums

CURVED AIR

Sonja Kristina - Vocals
Kirby Gregory - Guitars Grzegorz Gadziomski – Violin

Columbia County Performing Arts Center

Opened in 2021, The Columbia County Performing Arts Center is an 85,0000 square foot facility that boasts 2,062 seats and serves as the anchor of The Plaza development in Evans, GA. The state-of-the- art venue proudly hosts Broadway in Columbia County, concerts, family-friendly entertainment, and locally based arts organizations. Follow Columbia County Performing Arts Center on Facebook and Instagram.