There’s no point in wasting lines to explain why Deep Purple is one of the most revered and genre-defining rock n’ roll bands of the last century, that has been said time and time again. But what still needs to be said is how these music legends remain relevant and very much at the top of their game after more than 5 decades in the business. And such a remarkable feat was in full display earlier this week, as they took the stage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, to kick off their “= One More Time” tour.
The crowd erupted as the band appeared, immediately launching into a high-energy rendition of “Highway Star”. Ian Gillan’s vocals, while bearing the marks of experience and the passage of time, retained the raw power and emotion that have captivated audiences for decades, and as the performance went on, his vocal acrobatics grew even more mesmerizing. Classics cuts like “Hard Lovin’ Man” and “Lazy” sounded electrifying, with the rhythm section of Glover’s fatty and thunderous bass lines – they were perfectly audible in the mix –, and Paice’s precise drumming adding the backbone to their energetic stage presence, injecting such classic tracks with renewed vigor, one that was truly surprising to behold when one considers four quarters of the gentlemen on stage are well into their 7th decade of life.
Many eyes were on “the new kid on the block”, the band’s “newish” guitarist Simon McBride. Deep Purple have always had the utmost skills in the six-strings department, and stepping into the shoes of legends like Blackmore and Morse is not an easy feat. Nonetheless, McBride effortlessly demonstrated his playing abilities by serving up a galore of impressive and feeling-infused guitar solos throughout the night. He effectively balanced honoring the original guitar parts in classic songs, with adding his own distinctive touch, all while incorporating a very welcomed dosage of showmanship, coming to the edge of the stage and bending backward, while plucking the strings to tug the ultimate vibrating melody out of them. One of the many standout moments happened during “Uncommon Man,” dedicated as a tribute to the late Jon Lord, where he concocted a solo that was both precise and emotionally resonant, showing a level of talent absolutely comparable to any of his predecessors.
The performance served as a fitting tribute to the band’s extensive musical journey, with a diverse setlist encompassing beloved tracks such as “Into the Fire,” and “Lazy,” complemented by a selection of compositions from their latest album, “=1,” including the live debut of “Show Me”. Notably, the newer material integrated seamlessly with the band’s established repertoire, underscoring their enduring songwriting abilities, and how they manage to keep the creative juices flowing after half a century. These freshest additions provided ample opportunities for Airey and McBride to showcase the archetypal interplay between keyboards and strings that has long been a hallmark of Deep Purple‘s sound. Another standout moment came with the performance of “Bleeding Obvious,” a track from their latest album that ventures into heavier musical territory. This piece, with sections reminiscent of Iron Maiden‘s iconic twin-guitar melodies and galloping style, speaks of the band’s versatility and capacity to explore new sonic landscapes with the utmost confidence.
The evening reached its pinnacle when Gillan took center stage, guiding the band through an electrifying performance of “Space Truckin’”, which served as the impeccable transition into “Smoke on the Water,” a song often regarded as the epitome of straightforward, hard-hitting rock, which despite the years still oozes an unmistakable grandeur – despite its apparent simplicity. Gillan‘s gravelly voice rang out with the familiar opening lines,” We all came out to Montreux, on the Lake Geneva shoreline,” while the band played what many consider the most recognizable guitar riff in rock history. Nothing short of a magnificent moment.
The night concluded with an encore that brought the entire audience to their feet, enthusiastically singing along to “Hush” (which probably most of the souls present in the crowd knew by the Purple‘s iconic rendition, unaware of it being a Joe South’s original), topped off by my favorite cut from “In Rock”, their sound-defining and anthemic “Black Night.”
Deep Purple‘s impact on rock music is difficult to overstate, as much as one tries. The fact they continue to produce new music and fill theaters and arenas worldwide, keeping such enduring popularity, is nothing more than the result of their tireless work ethic and formidable skills to blend various musical styles while remaining faithful to their musical origins. They have created a legacy that very few other bands can match or even aspire to, and I sincerely hope they continue touring and exposing such an incredible body of work to worldwide audiences for many years to come.
