Two iconic classic rock giants played the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre Thursday night feeling younger than ever. Deep Purple brought their “=1 More Time” tour to Freedom Hill with progressive rockers YES. Deep Purple wasted no time kicking off their hour-and-45-minute set with their all-time classic hit “Highway Star” taking you back to your school days and weekend party gatherings. What a great way to get your battery all charged up. Founding member Ian Paice still a savage on drums along with Ian Gillan, Roger Glover both in their 70’s still carry that fire. The youngster of the group guitarist Simon McBride at 45 years of age is sort of like that battery charger we all plug into fully charging the band night in and night out.
Deep Purple’s new album “=1,” made up the majority of the setlist. The set included tons of guitar solos from McBride who should have been arrested with that kind of abuse on his guitar, good lord that was amazing to watch. Keyboardist Don Airey also showed off his talents with a unique solo. Gillan voice still carries some power for being in his 70’s a feat most don’t in their late ages. We certainly haven’t seen the last of Deep Purle with enough gas to give it one last go around that will be special. The nicely packed house stood on their feet from start to finish rocking out and taking a trip down memory lane while doing so to the classics “Space Truckin'” “Smoke on the Water” before closing out their set with a 3-song encore of “Green Onion’s” “Hush” and “Black Night.” One highlight from the set came when Gillan now jokingly referenced to being lazy one night setting his house ablaze writing a song about it called “Into the Fire” we can’t leave out one more highlight from the set a track dedicated to co-founder Jon Lord who passed away in 2012 with “Uncommon Man” a mesmerizing rendition indeed.
YES was fantastic during their 80-minute set opening with a 12-minute version of “Machine Messiah.” Guitarist Steve Howe was his usual self very enthusiastic, effortless with his movements for his age. Yes, delivered that on-two-punch to close out the set with “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper.” Like Deep purple YES also shows no signs of hanging it up anytime soon. The tour wraps up in early September in North America then its off to South America and Europe. Stay young America keep rocking!
Deep Purple performing live at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre Thursday August 22, 2024
