Concerts: Wetton‐Downes? iCon Tours Japan In February 2009
Wetton‐Downes? iCon tours Japan in February 2009; Tokyo, *****uoka and Osaka welcome the band, whose members return after repeated successful tours.
Fans and critics alike have clamoured for more from John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes, whose songwriting formed much of the fabric of 2008's successful Asia reunion release, Phoenix. They are happy to oblige with this third iCon album and supporting dates.
Messrs. Wetton and Downes are pleased to revisit Japan in addition to recording their launch performance in an historic, limited audience preview in the historic St-Mary-LeBow church in the UK on the 21st of February. Japanese fans have always welcomed the band and its individual members warmly throughout the years and the band consider it a pleasure to return to Tokyo, *****uoka, and Osaka to share their newest work with their long-term fans.
Ticket and specific venue information will be announced shortly. Japanese fans will find additional information at www.billboardlive.com.
Special Limited Audience UK Show Date Changed
Fans will note that the special DVD recording in the historic St Mary-LeBow Church originally scheduled for January 30th has been moved to February 21st. The date change allows fans from around the world to see the show on a weekend without impacting their work schedules; it also allows for the more extensive state-of-the-art production the band require to perfect the live recording. Ticket packages and pricing will be announced shortly.
About the Band
Joining John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes are guitar virtuoso Dave Kilminster, fresh from successful tours with Roger Waters and Keith Emerson, and drummer Pete Riley, considered one of the "best drummers in the world." Both are recording the third iCon studio album with Messrs Wetton and Downes. The band is thrilled to present classic iCon and Wetton-Downes tunes, plus songs from their heritage bands including King Crimson, UK, Buggles, and Yes , as well as a premiere of new music from the eagerly anticipated upcoming third album.
John Wetton and Geoff Downes recently recorded and released the successful live DVD and CD sets, Fantasia Live in Tokyo with the original members of Asia; the success of those releases coupled with a flood of requests asking for the return of Wetton and Downes to Japan from fans, press, and promoters prompted the duo to make Japan the first stop on the iCon three 2009 tour.
More on Wetton-Downes? iCon and the upcoming album
John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes formed an extraordinary songwriting partnership ? their work has fuelled lists of legendary rock and roll music since 1981. Fans have been delighted to see them tour with Carl Palmer and Steve Howe in the reunion of the original members of Asia. The all-new album Phoenix, a special treat to fans, generated the performance of fresh and memorable hits written by the duo.
While Asia is on hiatus (the band will be back in 2009 for more dates), fans have demanded more from Wetton and Downes; the two enjoy each other?s company and love writing together. They are happy to oblige.
This album reunites Wetton with guitarist Dave Kilminster. The two worked together in the John Wetton band during the nineties, as well as in the short-lived, but highly distinguished band Qango. Kilminster is a renowned guitarist whose own reputation as a singer and songwriter has grown. He has performed with legends of rock such as Wetton, Keith Emerson and Roger Waters. Kilminster has just completed a 2 year stint on lead guitar and vocals with Waters? celebrated global staging of Dark Side Of The Moon, which played to millions. That tour featured a highlighted appearance at the Giants' Stadium Live Earth Show in 2007, viewed by almost 2 billion people (approximately a third the world population). Dave is much in demand and his guitar work is simply stunning. Wetton and Kilminster are very much looking forward to working together again.
Drummer Pete Riley has long been considered "one of the best drummers in rock" by those legends of rock who have worked with him ... and those who?ve simply watched him on stage. Riley is featured on Kilminster?s solo album and has toured with Kilminster as part of the Keith Emerson Band. He is well known throughout the world as an extraordinary musician in live and session work. Riley's skills span all types of music from rock to complex fusion and jazz.
Wetton and Downes are pleased to be able to respond to fan and critical demand by returning to the studio to create this new album and then to tour it with these outstanding players.
Source: Eaton Marketing Group, Geoff Downes website]
