Asia Announces 2024 Summer Tour: Setlist and Video Highlights

Asia played its first proper concert since 2019 on Wednesday evening, July 3, in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The performance marked the launch of the band’s summer tour and showcased a new lineup that proved they were more than ready for the challenge.

The British group’s 1982 self-titled debut album was heavily featured in the night’s setlist, with seven of its nine tracks being performed. Unsurprisingly, this album has been a cornerstone of the band’s success, having reached No. 1 on Billboard’s album charts, boosted by three major singles. Hits like “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” and “Sole Survivor” helped Asia sell over four million copies of their debut album.

Reflecting on those early days, co-founder and keyboardist Geoff Downes shared, “When we finished the album, none of us knew how successful it was going to be. We all felt we’d made a good album, but you never know until you start getting played on every single radio station in America. All of a sudden, the album is flying up the charts.”

The current lineup of Asia was conceived during the “Extraordinary Life Memorial Concert,” a 2023 tribute to late frontman John Wetton, who passed away in 2017 due to cancer. Vocalist Harry Whitley stepped into Wetton’s shoes for the day, impressing both fans and the band. Downes mentioned that “he really, really raised some eyebrows.” Guitarist John Mitchell, who had previously worked with both Wetton and Downes, and well-known progressive rock drummer Virgil Donati also joined the lineup. Original guitarist Steve Howe has been out of the mix since 2013, and drummer Carl Palmer was unavailable due to commitments with his Emerson, Lake and Palmer tribute.

Some fans were initially skeptical about the new lineup, but Lisa Wetton, John’s widow, quickly voiced her support, stating, “John himself would have endorsed this tour because he wanted the music to live on.”

According to Downes, Whitley proved to be the perfect fit. “The amazing thing was, when everyone started playing, it just sounded so alive. Harry is a dead ringer for John in many ways in terms of his vocal delivery and his general presentation,” he said, adding that Whitley was “a real find.”

Downes also said, “It seemed like a very, very nice way of paying tribute to John as much as anything else. You know, the idea that we could put together this team of musicians that would really do justice to Asia’s music. John’s always in my mind. Obviously, I had a fantastic friendship and writing relationship with John. We broke down some walls with our writing. It was always a very inspirational day spent writing with John. I cherish those memories.”

The “Heat of the Moment” tour continues on Saturday in Medford, Massachusetts.

Watch Asia Perform ‘Heat of the Moment’ in Ridgefield, Connecticut

Asia, 7/3/2024 Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, Connecticut, Set List

1. “Wildest Dreams”
2. “Here Comes The Feeling”
3. “Don’t Cry”
4. “An Extraordinary Life”
5. “Voice Of America”
6. “Time Again”
7. “Cutting It Fine / Bolero”
8. “Video Killed The Radio Star”
9. “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” (acoustic)
10. “Only Time Will Tell”
11. “Go”
12. “Sole Survivor”
13. “Heat of the Moment”

Weird Facts About Rock’s Most Famous Album Covers

Early on, LPs typically featured basic portraiture of the artists. Then things got weird.

Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso

Source: UCR