Deep Purple live at Jones Beach Theater (Wantagh, USA 2026-08-12)

Blackmore Joins Purple for Epic Encore at Jones Beach Theater

Reviewed by The Highway Star Reader “Albania”

When my younger son greeted me in the morning by asking if I knew where we kept the several sets of glasses that are needed to watch solar eclipses as he wanted to ride his bike later in the day to one of the local parks to watch the spectacle with some friends, little did I know that the rare natural phenomenon was not going to be the only unique event that I was going to witness on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Once the solar eclipse glasses were located, I then proceeded with the usual morning routine of checking any phone messages while waiting for the Miele to grind the Cubano roast beans that moments later become the double shot of espresso. Upon reading a group message to those of us that later in the day would be going to the DP show, that Blackmore was to join the band on stage at Jones Beach Theater, I initially dismissed the note as an ill-timed April Fool’s joke. After all, I said to myself, Blackmore lives close to the venue, and he could have chosen to do so anytime in the past during Purple’s regular appearances at Jones Beach Theater over the last several years. Why now? What changed?

However, fortunately for me, those others present at the show, and countless more around the world, what I had just read was not a joke. Moments later I discovered that numerous reputable outlets had confirmed the news that Purple and Blackmore had indeed agreed to share the stage, 33 years after their performance in Helsinki, Finland, that turned out to be their last appearance together.

The countdown had officially begun, and the anticipation, naturally, had started to grow…

* * *

After a roughly 2-hour drive from lower Connecticut, the four of us arrived at the venue around 6 PM. The vast parking lot was getting full, covered by thousands of cars with many people tailgating from the backs of their vehicles. Everywhere you could hear the sound of Purple music; songs from In Rock, Stormbringer, Machine Head, SPLAT!, etc. echoed throughout the thick, early evening August air. It seemed like a family event. Youth playing cornhole (bean toss) with their parents, teenagers taking selfies with each other and with older generations. You could tell a perfect evening was in the making.

Jones Beach is not the easiest venue to get to. In the peak of the summer, this part of Long Island is usually congested with the many day beachgoers. However, once you are there and if the weather is right, it can be a very enjoyable experience. Boasting an impressive classical amphitheater style design, the Jones Beach Theater has a capacity of 15,000. But because it is open – with the stage on water, and the amphitheater on land – sound quality, depending on where you are seated, can sometimes be negatively impacted by the strength and direction of the wind.

We made our way to our seats (13 th row across the center of the stage) around 7PM. If I were to guess, there were roughly 10,000-12,000 people in attendance. As has been the case at prior shows that I have attended at this venue, the uppermost tier was completely empty (tickets were not even made available for sale for this section). A noticeable middle age component was present, but, overall, the crowd was a mix of ages with numerous youngsters present here and there.

Kansas started the proceedings at 7:30 PM with a strong setlist of classic hits including fan favorites like Point of Know Return, Dust in the Wind, and Carry On Wayward Son. They put on an impressive performance with each member showcasing their respective skills. I could not help but feel like the singer was a bit low in the mix, but the show was enjoyable nonetheless. Time had come for the true stars of the evening, the greatest band that has ever lived, to take the stage. Purple kicked things off in style at 9:30 PM with a blistering version of Highway Star. The sound was clear and immense, ripping through the mid-August air that was gradually cooling off by the minute, eventually reaching a perfect temperature. Gillan was in absolute amazing form. We looked at each other, breathed a sigh of relief, and gave each other high-fives of confidence that it would be a great show. Purple delivered a blissful set (setlist below) that had a good balance between the classics and the more recent material, especially songs from SPLAT! and =1. The guys came across as dynamic, crisp and exciting. The entire band sounded marvelous and each musician had their moment in the spotlight.

Gillan was colossal throughout the show. He continues to define the laws of nature, delivering a rock-solid performance especially with the newer material. Gillan was a beast and the undisputable standout star of the show. The ultimate elder statesman of rock, big Ian has reached an unusual state of grace that would be the envy of many singers not just his age, but even much younger ones. Airey ruled the air with his signature wall of sound and with notes traveling, at times, erratically throughout the open venue and beyond. McBride, despite being decades younger than the rest of the band, was full of confidence in his performance. His skillful playing does justice to the material pre-dating him. The greatest ever rhythm section in rock, Paice and Glover, reigned supreme once more. Paicey’s drumming was powerful, but tasteful and elegant at the same time. Glover, solid as usual, together with Paice gave the rest of the band a strong foundation to take care of business without fear of the ground suddenly shaking and crumbling beneath them.

It could be a real challenge for the band to put together a setlist that pleases everyone, especially with its long history spanning many records and hundreds of songs, but the guys managed to strike the delicate balance between classic and current. There was something for the older fans, as well as for those that are newer arrivals in the Purple universe.

* * *

As the show seemed to draw closer to an end, the number of eyes fixed on the back of the stage seemed to grow. In between songs, Gillan announced that there would be a surprise coming up and asked us to stick around. The anticipation started to climb. There was no need to ask those near you what they were thinking. You could tell from the looks on people’s faces that they were full of questions. You could even read their thoughts and figure out what was going through their minds. Will what started this morning as potential rumor – becoming breaking news later in the day – indeed come to fruition? Will the individual that was last seen on the same stage as Gillan, Glover and Paice some 33 years ago, come out and join the remaining three MkII members one last time? Will Blackmore suddenly appear and start to play the opening notes to the riff of all riffs? Will McBride join in? How will it sound? Will the crowd like it? Will Gillan and Blackmore joyfully tease each other on stage once more, as they used to in the various honeymoon periods of MkII? Or would they simply stand on opposite sides of the stage and avoid any direct contact with each other?

It was now later in the show. People started checking the time. It started to feel like it was now or never. McBride moved to the edge of the stage, as he usually does when he is about to tease the intro to SOTW, and played just the opening note. The crowd was quiet. Where was Blackmore? Is he going to be a no-show? The silence was tense. McBride looked over his left shoulder, toward stage left, and a silhouette emerged from the dark corridor of the large stage. The Man in Black, white Strat around his shoulder, came out to the delight and the emotional response of thousands of enthusiastic fans that jumped to their feet while clapping and shouting in approval. Blackmore started the famous riff, the rest of the band joined in. His playing was controlled, and the solo was tasteful. But the music did not matter much. He was there, finally sharing the stage with his once brothers-in-arms. Lord was no doubt looking down the vast venue, smiling from the great beyond. The band’s faces were lit by their bright smiles. Gillan had his arm around Blackmore throughout the performance as a sign of respect and admiration. Blackmore moved from player to player, smiling at each band member with respect and gratitude. We were in awe. The crowd went nuts. Everyone was standing. Thousands of arms holding phones were extended. Filming, photographing, posting.

As the song came to an end, Gillan walked toward Blackmore with a huge smile on his face, proclaiming, “I’ve got to say something,” as he put his long arm around Blackmore once more and held him tightly. As if he did not want to let go. As if he wanted to hang on to this moment longer. It was a huge moment. It was a great display of genuine love and affection. Gillan then began to share with the audience how a couple of days ago he had gotten a message from Blackmore asking if he could join the band onstage, just to be interrupted by Blackmore who joked about the fact that Gillan is now taller than him. Gillan, without missing a beat, joked back that it was the other way around; it was Blackmore who was shrinking…

There they were: two battle-hardened warriors, full of scars, standing tall, shoulder to shoulder, full of real love, affection, and admiration for each other. Two titans. Coming home to rest after a long and hard day’s work. No longer worried about what the future held in store for them. Fully aware of how important they had been to and for each other. Fully aware that neither one of them would have been able to stand alone where they now do, without the other.

Flanked by Glover and Paice, his voice trembling with sentiment, Gillan shared that it was an absolute honor and pleasure “to have back on stage the founder member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore.” The Man in Black, overcome with emotion, handed his guitar to Gillan who reminded Blackmore that he will see him at the bar after the show. Blackmore walked toward the edge of the stage, taking a bow. It was as if the last 33 years had not been separated by a great chasm. It was as if they had always been the closest of friends. From the early days when they roomed together during the arduous tours.

The band went on to play a couple more songs, but we were still in a state of shock, full of nostalgic joy from what we had just witnessed. Those of us who for years, if not decades, have been dreaming of what was once considered impossible, this Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, witnessed history in the making. The 33-year wait was over. The long and storied circle – the inside of which is filled with trials and tribulations, with tension and drama, and with groundbreaking artistic creativity and achievements that will continue to awe, inspire, and mesmerize generations to come – had finally closed. Blackmore took his well-deserved bow in front of thousands of cheering fans while Gillan, Paice, and Glover looked on with content. All is well in the Purple universe. Finally. At long last.

* * *

I am blessed beyond words that I was amongst those fortunate to witness this rare and historic event in person. Because of another engagement, regrettably, I will not be able to make the Boston show tonight, Thursday, August 13, 2026. However, after witnessing the August 12, 2026, reunion, I hope to witness in person an expanded reunion at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. Afterall, the British fans deserve a chance to also witness for themselves the closing of the circle. They deserve to have their epic evening.

Ever upward, Deep Purple!

SETLIST (from online sources) – Jones Beach Theater, NY, August 12, 2026
Highway Star
A Bit on the Side
Into the Fire
Guitar Solo
Arrogant Boy
Lazy Sod
Keyboard Solo
Lazy
When a Blind Man Cries
Diablo
Keyboard Solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin’
Smoke on the Water (with Blackmore)
Guinnesis
Hush