Words: Karen Hetherington
One of my favourite bands of all time, it is both regrettable and unbelievable that until Wednesday past I had failed to ever see Deep Purple. With the new album ‘=1’ released in July and the current tour, aptly named ‘1 More Time’, I figured its now or never, right? Well, actually I suspect I could be wrong… As the 23rd studio album ‘=1’ is packed full of heavyweight tunes that resonate with a strange familiarity and transfer onto stage so smoothly that the audience feel like they have known them for years, I have to reason to hope that this band are not quite finished yet.
Initiating the evenings entertainment at the O2 Arena, London were rockers ‘Reef’ who ploughed through a high energy set which was so captivating, it seemed to be over in no time. Their show featured eleven songs in all with the hit ‘Place your hands’ performed to rapturous applause around the midway point. A stunning performance throughout, the bands finale; a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ had the audience whipped up into an electrified high in anticipation of the main act.
The current Deep Purple line up, featuring Gillan, Glover, Paice, Airey – all of whom are amongst the most talented and iconic musicians of all time, alongside guitarist Simon McBride, who replaced Steve Morse in 2022 could easily be labelled a supergroup alongside a band of 56 years pedigree. Gillan, who described McBride as ‘immaculate’, was by no means overemphasising the talent of their latest addition.
Commencing their 19 track set list with crowd pleaser ‘Highway Star’, it was immediately evident that the band were on top form. Ian Gillan, whose talent, versatility and wide vocal range has lead to an extremely successful solo career in addition to his work with the band, is hands down my favourite Deep Purple vocalist and his performance during Wednesdays show was just incredible. The show was peppered with tracks from the new album which were received with as much rapture as familiar favourites, the enthusiasm of the audience demonstrated by an all seated show turning into, for the most part, an all standing one. Drummer extraordinaire Ian Paice, alongside the genius of Roger Glover produced a rhythm section which was just a wonder to behold, the legendary Don Airey bringing to the mix the sound that is unmistakably ‘Purple’. Simon McBride who captivated the audience with several extended solo interludes appears to be the finishing touch to this group of immensely accomplished musicians.
Indisputably one of the greatest and most easily recognisable rock songs of all time, ‘Smoke on the Water’ was played towards the end of the set with the band returning for 3 encores including ‘Old-Fangled Thing’ ‘Hush’, and grand finale ‘Black Night’. The sheer energy, appreciation and enthusiasm of the crowd was not lost on the band who seemed to be enjoying themselves so much that they seemed reluctant to exit the stage.
Both musically and lyrically exceptional, if this was to be my only opportunity to see Deep Purple, it was phenomenal. As the eldest band member at 79 years young, Ian Gillan is still the superstar he always was, gracing the stage with the talent and vigour of a man many years his junior and delivering a few anecdotes along the way.
As the saying goes, age is just a number; and unless they join the 27 club, I like to believe rock stars last forever…
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