New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



ASIA: The Heat of the Moment Tour

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 @ 7:00pm



Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

2024 is the Year Of The Dragon

Asia 2024 is Geoffrey Downes, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell and Harry Whitley.

In the Summer of 2023, Geoff Downes spear-headed a memorial concert to remember and celebrate the life of his late, much-loved friend and Asia co-founder member, the great John Wetton.  At the concert, he invited rock n roll veteran John Mitchell – who had played with both Wetton and Downes in Icon and in Wetton’s own band – to join him on stage, taking on lead guitar duties.  The duo were joined by new-comer Harry Whitley, who Downes had discovered and whose vocal talents so closely resembled that of Wetton’s it was nothing short of spine-tingling.  Together they played a number of Asia’s chart-topping hits.  The reception was uproarious and It became clear that something magical was happening.  Perhaps, thought Downes, it was time to bring the songs of Asia to a whole new audience? The dragon began to stir once more.

In 1982 John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe became the founding fathers of super group Asia, responsible for a string of multi-million selling albums and chart topping hits across the globe. Asia’s self-titled1982 debut album was the biggest selling album in the world. The band dominated the airwaves and for many “Heat Of The Moment”, “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor”, amongst others, were the soundtrack to their youth.

Another multi-million seller, “Alpha” followed in 1983 and in 1986 “Astra” competed the trio of MTV era hits.  Greg Lake briefly joined the band for a Japanese tour where Asia’s show from the fabled Budokan was the first inter-continental simulcast.  In 2006, the founder members reformed and released several new albums before John Wetton’s untimely passing in 2017.  Since John’s passing, Geoff and Carl have toured with Sam Coulson, Billy Sherwood, Ron Bumblefoot Thal and Steve Howe guesting, and had a tour planned with Marc Bonilla on vocal duties that did not materialize due to Covid.

Busy touring the globe, the great Carl Palmer is immersed in a project very dear to his heart, the Return Of Emerson Lake & Palmer.  The legendary Steve Howe remains at the helm of progressive rock legends, Yes.   So it was that Geoff made the decision to take a fresh, new-look Asia back out on the road, recruiting Mitchell and Whitley as new members and bringing in the drumming excellence of the incomparable Virgil Donati, who had played with Wetton in UK.

Asia has entertained and delighted a multitude of audiences and millions of people over the last 40 years.  Some of the world’s greatest musicians have taken up the Asia baton during that time.  However Geoff Downes believes that the time is right to bring a fresh, new-look Asia out into the light.

The Year of the Dragon foretells good fortune, abundance and prosperity.  The Dragon blessed 1982, the year Asia was first unleashed into the world – and here we are again.  The journey has come full-circle.  Time for the dragon to take flight once more.




For information on how your event can be listed, click here



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info

FEATURED EVENTS

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Kelli

Kelli Baker Band

Friday, May 09, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

OCC

OCC Faculty and Guest String Quartet

Friday, May 09, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Ocean County College, Gateway Lecture Hall (Building 101)
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Knuffle

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical

Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 4:00pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Judy

Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux

Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Oldies

Oldies but Goodies Mother’s Day Concert Benefiting Families in Greater Union County

Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Newton

Newton Theatre presents An Evening with Joanne Shaw Taylor

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents An Evening with Joanne Shaw Taylor on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.



Jackson

Jackson Pines and Heavy Mouth to Play Low Dive in Asbury Park on Friday

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On Friday, May 9th, regional folk band Jackson Pines returns to Asbury Park as a full band for the first time since last summer. They'll be joining friends Heavy Mouth at Low Dive for a 9:00pm concert.



The

The Who Announce Shows in NJ, NY, PA for The Song is Over North America Farewell Tour

One of the greatest bands in rock history, The Who, have announced their bittersweet final tour of the US and Canada as a truly grand finale of their illustrious six-decade career. Fans will have several opportunities in the tri-state area to see the band one last time. Local shows include August 19th at Prudential Center in Newark, August 21st at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, August 23rd at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, and August 30th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.



North

North Jersey Blues Society to Hold Artist Emergency Relief Fundraiser at The Stanhope House

(STANHOPE, NJ) -- The North Jersey Blues Society (NJBS) is excited to announce the Artist Emergency Relief Fundraiser. NJBS has established an Artist Emergency Relief Fund (AERF) to assist artists in need. This fund is specifically designed to support NJBS artists who find themselves in crisis situations. Currently, the fund's balance is $1,400, generated through the sale of an NJBS compilation CD. Their goal is to double this amount during a fundraiser on June 8, 2025 at The Stanhope House.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katharine McPhee

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katharine McPhee on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 8:00pm. Sixteen-time Grammy® Award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television, and Broadway star Katharine McPhee are bringing their live show on the road.




 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info