Arcadia were a pop group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, as a side project during a break in that band's schedule. The project was active for just one album, So Red the Rose, which was certified Platinum in the United States and included the hit single "Election Day". Drummer Roger Taylor appeared in only a few band photographs and in none of the music videos, and stated he was only to be involved in the recording side of the project (he also had minor involvement in The Power Station, the other Duran Duran splinter group formed by Duran Duran members Andy and John Taylor alongside Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson of Chic).

The name of the band was reportedly inspired by the Nicolas Poussin painting Et in Arcadia ego (also known as "The Arcadian Shepherds"). At the same time that So Red the Rose was in production, Asia were recording their third album, also tentatively titled "Arcadia". Prior to release, Asia renamed their project "Astra" to avoid confusion.