The new-look Asia line-up featuring keyboard player Geoff Downes, John Mitchell (It Bites, Lonely Robot, Kino, Frost* and more), Planet X drummer Virgil Donati and Harry Whitley, have announced three intimate live shows at Trading Boundaries in Sussex, where they will perform the band's first three albums over the three nights.
Asia will appear on April 10, 11 and 12 and the shows will concentrate on Asia (10th), Alpha (11th) and Astra – which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year – on the 12th.
Downes relaunched Asia early last year following a performance with Mitchell and Whitley – along with his Yes colleagues Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen – at the John Wetton tribute show, which was also at Trading Boundaries, in 2023. With Carl Palmer busy with his Return Of Emerson Lake & Palmer live tour, drummer Virgil Donati was added to the line-up. The band toured the US last year to much acclaim.
"The John Wetton tribute last August really reminded me how much Asia’s music belongs on the stage," Downes told Prog recently. "The response to it all was literally… spine-chilling. We were accompanied by some amazing musicians on the night, and I’m delighted that both John Mitchell and Harry Whitley, from the Asia segment, will be joining me with the addition of Virgil Donati."
Roger Dean, who created the artwork for all three of these Asia albums, will have original paintings and prints available to view and purchase at his gallery, which is also at the venue.
