Ian Gillian, now in his late 70s, can still hold a note and pogo across the stage with Roger Glover as if they were still in their late 20s. Deep Purple filled the 02 Arena with joy, playing old classics and bringing in a sprinkle of fresh new songs taken from their latest album, ‘Equals 1’!
It seems Deep Purple have been around forever with a staggering 23 albums under their belt, gracing the gigantic 02 Arena tonight, do not sound lost in the huge open space! ‘Deep Purple’ have never been about the visual Pyrotechnics and charging across a stage, unlike with the likes of ‘iron Maiden’ and ‘Judas Priest’ of the same era. Gone are the days that when long solos plagued a ‘Deep Purple’ set to put each band member in the spotlight making their sets only short, but tonight their played near breath-taking two hours long. With forming in London in 1968 and the line changing over the years ‘Deep Purple’ are still a rock spectacle to watch live and one of the biggest rock bands in History.
Halling from Glastonbury, the energetic ‘Reef ‘bring some 90’s rock to the 02 Arena as support for the legends.. The current Reef lineup consists of Gary Stringer on vocals, Jack Besant on the powerful bass, Amy Newton on guitar, and Luke Bullen doing some rock solid drumming. They spent their early career touring a lot to build up a fan base. Tonight ‘Gary Stringer certainly got things swinging with his groves and explosive vocals and, for good measure, threw in a few stage antics. Some of their early 90’s hits ‘Place your Hands’, and ‘Naked’ deliver the raw sounds of the night, to the audience’s delight! The band came back on the scene again not too long ago with the album ‘Revelations’. The most recent
‘Shot Me Your Ace’, from 2022 sounds as fresh and determined as ever and made for an arena style anthem! ‘Reef’ certainly hit the right explosive notes and felt right at home on the 02 stage.
With giant screens dominating each side of the stage and to the chimes and rolling thunder of ‘Mars’, a ‘Holst’ Planet suites piece, the four bandmates stole on stage. Tonight features, in addition, the newest band guitarist, Simon McBride, to show he can hold his own, follow in the mighty’s footsteps, and unleash the rock prowess!
The unmissable ‘Highway Star’ kicks off the night with Ian Gillian being as commanding as ever with high anticipation in the air. Each note is packed with emotion. Ian Paice, the last remaining original Deep Purple band member, bashes and thunders on the drum kit and is a timekeeper to the whole affair and keeps to the rhythm. Throughout the evening, there are riffs, guitar and drum solos a plenty and even some water from Ian Gillian, giving the audience some stories to tell. With the moodier bits from ‘Anya’, the tension and emotion are high with Don Airey, the master of the organ!
‘Into the Fire’ still sounds remarkably jaw dropping and Gillian letting loose into the Microphone and the drums thundering in tandem!. One standout finest moment this evening is the crowd anticipation of ‘Smoke on The Water’ with a huge singalong echoing from the arena, one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s finest songs! The night closes off with ‘Black Night’ and everyone lives transfixed with the raw energy, classic melodies and riffs most of the crowd have come to hear and tonight’s spectacular definitely not to be forgotten!
DEEP PURPLE SETLIST:
Mars, the Bringer of War (Gustav Holst song)
Highway Star
A Bit on the Side
Into the Fire
Guitar Solo
Uncommon Man (dedicated to Jon Lord)
Lazy Sod
Now You’re Talkin’
Keyboard Solo
Lazy
When a Blind Man Cries
Portable Door
Anya
Keyboard Solo (Inc Land of Hope and Glory)
Bleeding Obvious
Space Trucking’
Smoke on the Water (with crowd participation )
Encore :
Old-Fangled Thing
Hush (Joe South cover)
Black Night (As the band Leave the stage Gillian sings a couple of lines Goodnight Irene
acapella)
