The dragon has risen again.

Iconic British rock band ASIA is about to embark on its 2014 Gravitas World Tour, incorporating visits to Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The band is taking to the road in support of its acclaimed new CD, Gravitas, introducing its newest member, guitarist Sam Coulson.

“It always was a great live band, but this time the dragon has awakened with fresh energy, direction and purpose,” says Asia’s John Wetton, adding: “last summer, ASIA played live dates which opened in the UK, took in the massive Sweden Rock Festival, a European tour and a TV show in the glorious Roman Amphitheater, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with an orchestra. These were the first dates of the new chapter of ASIA.”

“There is a great energy when we step on stage,” says keyboardist Geoff Downes. “We can feel it and I know the fans can feel it.”
Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in April, 1982, with several Top 10 singles. It became the best-selling album in the World in 1982. Featuring Geoff Downes on keyboards, Steve Howe on guitar, Carl Palmer on drums and John Wetton on lead vocal and bass, Asia was the logical successor to their collective bands of the 70s – Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK and The Buggles.

Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV. Throughout most of ’82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV, selling out every date on tour as the debut album crushed all the competition in record stores around the World.

The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006. It was the first time the four original members had worked together in 23 years. Prior to Gravitas, ASIA had completed several world tours, released three brilliant studio albums (2008’s Phoenix, 2010’s Omega, and 2012’s XXX), as well as three live albums and Blu-rays / DVDs.

For ASIA’s long-devoted fans, the band’s return to the concert stage cannot come soon enough. As Carl Palmer says: “performing on stage is where this band truly comes into its element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the fuel that drives this train we call ASIA.”

Confirmed 2014 tour dates >