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Smoke on the Wacken

[Updated #2: even more video] On August 1 Deep Purple headlined probably the largest heavy metal festival in the world — Wacken Open Air. Uli Jon Roth came on stage to join them for Smoke on the Water, and the whole performance was filmed in 3D for a future DVD/Blu-ray release.

BraveWords has a report:

Must admit that DEEP PURPLE seem to be a bizarre fit at Wacken, but when you step back and view the hard rock/heavy family tree there are numerous roots that need to be recognized and praised, no matter how ancient they may seen and the British icons took matters into their own hands with a wealthy catalog that’s second to none. And the not-so-recent addition of guitarist Steve Morse and keyboard maestro Don Airey, sees that classic Deep Purple sound elevated to a different groove, while longtime members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice just soak in all of the glory they deserve.

So the crowd of 80,000-plus – of all shapes and sizes – lapped it up in front of the Black Stage (the True Metal Stage was empty all day in preparation of RAMMSTEIN’s massive stage show). And whether you were a kid who is barely of age to remember this current line-up of the band, or an aging metalhead who was around when ‘Hush’ ruled the airwaves (which the played as an encore by the way), Purple is a band that satisfies generations…

Read more on BraveWords.

A big portion of Purple’s Wacken performance can be streamed courtesy of German TV network ZDF (forward to 91:25):

A slightly longer version of Purple performance from another German TV network NDR (head over to their site if it doesn’t work for you here):
[video src="http://media.ndr.de/progressive/2013/0804/TV-20130804-2248-4242.hi.mp4" /]

Thanks to Claus and Joerg for the ZDF link, and to Lutz, KAZZ and nupsi59 for the NDR one.



49 Comments to “Smoke on the Wacken”:

  1. 1
    Tom Koifman says:

    OH YEHA

  2. 2
    stoffer says:

    this is a ‘must have’……………..and Yes Deep Purple is a band “THAT SATISFIES GENERATIONS”

  3. 3
    Larry Toering says:

    Thanks for the enthusiastic report!

  4. 4
    peter chrisp says:

    Deep Purple what you say? After seeing them in Melbourne with Journey on the same bill a few months ago, i guess expectations were high, but judging by their performance on that special night, and Ian’s voice may not be the same “big deal”, they played a “powerhouse” set that literally tore the roof off the venue. After witnessing Black Sabbath twice within 3 days and recently Aerosmith, i can honestly say i have never heard anything as loud in a long time, also being only 7 rows from the front may have helped too. Absolutely brilliant, from the “Legends”

  5. 5
    nupsi59 says:

    The Wacken concerts on internet this weekend: ndr.de and zdf.kultur.de.

  6. 6
    kraatzy says:

    A very very commercial dp-clip

    LLRnR

    kraatzy

  7. 7
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Ah, the beauty of Purple inviting other great banjo players up during Smoke. Of course it takes a certain humble banjo player to actually embrace and relish it. Been seeing it for 35+ years as a matter of course. It will never happen in the confines of Purple, for historical and obvious reasons, but to see Blacker join Steve on stage during the likes of a Dregs gig would be one for the ages. And a picture of the two who respect the hell out of each other both with a smile would be simply priceless. No doubt wishful thinking but never say never.

    Although nothing to do with this article, Ian has lyrics from the new album on Caramba, and there is a track entitled First Sign of Madness. Where can I get this?!

    Peace,
    Ted

  8. 8
    Finn says:

    Great with a 3D Bly-Ray recording from the show, but more great is it that they was playing Wache., so all the young headbangers could see how FIRST class music can be played. Thunder, Pretty Maids was the only other bands as I see that really can play.
    I must also say it could be a good idea for Purples Management to set the ambitions a bit higher than just another tour playing for 3-5000 people a night. Go for it. The new album is the best selling since Perfect Strangers – what are you waiting for?

  9. 9
    big al says:

    bloody great footage, sounds bang on, cant wait for the dvd and the uk tour, its a great time for purple! its odd tho how in the rog clip he says “we dont get asked to do this kinda thing much”, that really is shocking, the big rock festivals should be asking em, and if not the manager should be trying to get em on at donny/sonisphere etc! anyway moan over, hats off to wacken, and best wishes to lemmy.

  10. 10
    Leray says:

    Hello,
    Tonight,I’ve seen the concert on ZDF Kultur….Very good …
    Purple is not a metal band…It’s an historic rock band that enjoyed générations…
    Above and beyond dedicated to Jon Lord.Great moment….Guest:Uli Jon Roth on smoke….on the Wacken
    Long live DP….
    French fan since 1973

  11. 11
    Svante Axbacke says:

    Ted, First sign of madness is on the Vincent Price single.

  12. 12
    Scott says:

    Anybody see the quick flash of the picture of Jon on the stage screen. I wonder If that was during Above And Beyond.

    Nice to hear Highway Star back in the set. But Gillan’s having real trouble with it. Maybe they should tune half a step down. Might be easier for Gillan to sing.

  13. 13
    kraatzy says:

    Deep Purple @ “Wacken Open Air” (WOA):

    In one way, Wacken is no place for Deep Purple and other (old school) ROCK Groups.
    I am not a “metal head” but this another style and Deep Purple at WOA is still the
    wrong place in the same way like The Scorpions last year.

    I would change my mind if the Deep Purple guy had change their setlist into a very hard
    Machine Head-Fireball-In Rock- song-setlist but they didn´t because of the DVD recording
    and the demand to bring some new songs from the NOW WHAT album.

    I think, it´s only the commercial reason from the record company and management to make
    the Wacken gig … AND TO (DVD-)RECORDED it, because Wacken has a very great name
    (75.000 people there – every year).

    LLRnR

    LLDnP

    kraatzy

  14. 14
    Claus says:

    Here you can see the show from Wacken online:
    http://blog.zdf.de/festival/
    It begins nearly after one hour (you can scroll forward); Enjoy it !!

  15. 15
    Joerg says:

    At http://blog.zdf.de/festival/2013/08/04/live-video-vom-wacken-mit-rammstein-motoerhead-cooper-doro-deep-purple-trivium/ you can see an extract of their concert, scroll to position 90

  16. 16
    big al says:

    finn, you are so right, purple’s managers really do need to push it, as wacken shows the band is at its best pont since the mid-late 80’s!

  17. 17
    LRT says:

    I’m not interested in this fiasco.

  18. 18
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @17: Please elaborate.

  19. 19
    LRT says:

    @ Not a problem, @ Now I am! lol cheers! 😀

  20. 20
    LRT says:

    @Joerg, just want your opinion of what you shared, hahaha. Have to miss Whitesnake another year thu my neck of the woods because once again it’s a one horse town gig in my state with too short notice. 🙂

  21. 21
    ao says:

    Deep Purple looked and sounded great on the video clips from this show. The crowd was definitely digging it. Glad to see that after all of these years, they aren’t afraid to keep rocking!

  22. 22
    Vesselin says:

    Finn says:
    Purples Management to set the ambitions a bit higher than just another tour playing for 3-5000 people a night. Go for it. The new album is the best selling since Perfect Strangers – what are you waiting for?

    As i know since the start of Now What Tour”, the audience was as:
    1.Rabbat / Festival / – 45 000 +
    2.Kavarna Rock Festival – 12 000 +
    3. Plovdiv – Solo concertt – 15 000 +
    4. Tbilisi – 50 000 +
    5. Kluj – 18 000 +
    6. Montreux – ?
    7.Wacken – 80 000

    Its not 5000 average audience i thing. And … NOW WHAT … YOU THING?

  23. 23
    Jeff Summers says:

    I’m sure all of the Metal fans at Wacken are very aware of who Purple are and what part they have played in the development of the genre. For my money, DP should be playing more of these big summer festivals and pushing the new DP sound to the masses, some of whom may be sceptical.

  24. 24
    Svante Axbacke says:

    Let’s be realistic about audience figures. Believe me, not everyone of those 75.000 at Wacken were in front of the stage when DP was on stage. Not everyone of those 75.000 bought their ticket just because DP played the festival. As for the 3-5000 cap. venues on the tour, it’s not like most of these shows are sold out months ahead in most countries. So, this is apparently the demand that is for the band at the moment. Even though we fans wish they could play to 75.000 each night. Or would we really? I think 3-5000 capacity venues are perfect sizes for a rock show.

  25. 25
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    Svante I agree…..’kind of’…..

    I am super happy they are headlining festivals like this. It’s what they should be doing. Yes, as a concert goer whom loves to see and hear the music, I personally am happy with the smaller venues. In fact, the smaller the better…. But in a less selfish aspect, I would rather see these stalwart rock Icons at the level they should be in at this point. I will never spend the 200 bucks to see the Stones, VH, or GnR (if they ever do a reunion tour), but I would for Purple if that was the case. They should be in that class. Above and Beyond for that matter. True innovators and doing it far better than any other. Seeing them play small unsold out venues hits my heart hard. I am proud of them for doing it so well all this time. I would like also to be proud For them regarding proper kudos from the world. Instead I only feel remorse for them due to the state they are in based on sticking with this lack luster management team that has buried them down under into the world of ‘obscurity’. FRIGGIN’ WRONG!!!!!

    Looking forward to 2014. The tail end of the New Album promotion fiasco that will by then have us hearing a setlist from the 80’s and beyond….and probably nothing from ?!.

    I just hope they prove me wrong…. ?!ease.

    Ch-BeerZ?!

  26. 26
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    Oh, and as to the clips from this event…. AWESOME!!!!!

    They are rocking like ‘never before’. God Bless Deep Purple! He sure has blessed us with their presence. We are truly blessed. Are we worthy?

    Ch-Beer?!

  27. 27
    Henrik says:

    Wasn´t there talk about a dodumentary on Made in Japan?

  28. 28
    Lutz says:

    Hi Folks, take a look at this one. You will have the feeling of beeing on stage with DP!
    It’s from the German TV station NDR filmed during their Wacken concert.
    have fun

    Lutz from Germany

    http://media.ndr.de/progressive/2013/080…248-4242.hq.mp4

  29. 29
    al says:

    @26 Tracy
    Is it me or Uli Jon Roth screws up the solo on Smoke ?!

  30. 30
    KAZZ says:

    There is longer 65 min. vid of the Wacken show up here:
    http://www.ndr.de/unterhaltung/events/wacken/woa_2013/wacken2867.html

  31. 31
    Lutz says:

    SORRY to all of you! Messed up the link yesterday. Here’s a corrected one.
    Hope you can enjoy it now.

    Lutz

    http://www.ndr.de/unterhaltung/events/wacken/woa_2013/wacken2867.html

  32. 32
    nupsi59 says:

    Here’s the correct link to the ndr-Video: http://www.ndr.de/unterhaltung/events/wacken/woa_2013/wacken2859.html

  33. 33
    Tommy H. says:

    It is awesome that Purple played at the Wacken Open Air. There’s nothing more to say.

  34. 34
    CP says:

    I was so proud of the guys. I couldn’t believe Gillan still had as much firepower as he did. Into the Fire was a lot of fun. Of course it ain’t 1971, but I get around a little slower these daze,too. I think I’ll have to spring for this.
    On another note, what’s up with Steve and that guitar synth? Sounds like Ritchie in the 80’s. Sheesh.

  35. 35
    KAZZ says:

    By the way, Purple didn’t headline the Thursday evening. That was Rammstein.

  36. 36
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    al @29,

    I watched the vid and don’t see a problem with his part. He played his rendition of a small part in contribution with Steve and it went well as far as I’m concerned. Was it note for note as the Ritchie original? No, that’s the beauty of a live performance, especially with a guest player. It’s supposed to be different. For me, the more different the better….. When we would play SOTW in our covers band, the guitar player would change it up each night. No, not ‘screw it up’…. ‘change it up’. For variety sake.

    Ch-BeerZ?!

  37. 37
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    I’ve been watching the 65 minute video and am quite impressed with the band. They really are playing top notch. Gillan is as spot on as I have heard. The jamming sessions during some of these tunes is as firey as those back in the 70’s. Hard Lovin’ Man in particular. Loved Black Night with Steve jousting with the audience. Any of the nay-sayers and doubters that watch this performance and still have anything to complain about are truly just drunk on their negative Kool-Aid. This show is impeccable and inspiring to say the least. Gillan has regained some amazing prowess here. His screams are not just squeals, but full of power and energy. His tone and control is spot on. “YYYYYEEEEEEOOOOOWWWWW”?!

    Man, I am so charged up after watching this. Praying for them to bring it to the U.S. and add some tunes from “?!”. ‘Above and Beyond’ sounded incredible. 5 more tunes off the album is a must. Here is my Prayer… “GOD, please talk to Jon Lord and ask him to send a message down to His Band, demanding they schedule some shows in the United States. Pleeeaaase! Yes I realize this an uncommon request, but I am speaking to an ‘uncommon man’. AMEN”

    Ch-BeerZ?!

  38. 38
    Stephan Janson says:

    Into The Fire and Hard Lovin’ Man are so heavy!!! IAN, you are a f*** monster!!! Hell To Pay and Above Beyond : just awesome. What a band, what a performance – what a time in DP history!
    I love you :-)))))). EEEEAAAAAOOOOUUUUW

  39. 39
    al says:

    @36 Tracy
    Maybe I’m being a stickler and subjective,since I don’t like Uli Jon Roth lol The band is playing really hard!

  40. 40
    stoffer says:

    The band sounds a little heavier than usual, maybe to please the Wacken faithful, but IMHO they sound friggin’ great….would really like to hear more from ?!….thanks to ALL who posted links…can’t wait to buy the DVD
    cheers

  41. 41
    Yance says:

    Hells Bells just cant wait for the UK gigs . I really thought the best was behind them , but they playing some awesome stuff!! Got Manchester and Birmingham tickets, think I may just have to go to London too! Ian says no laughing in heaven , But I reckon Jon will be at least smiling !

  42. 42
    purplepriest1965 says:

    I suppose you ll like this one :

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLbVdE7-f7o&hd=1

  43. 43
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Camera work is phenomenal. This Mark is beyond scary great. They are running on all cylinders at Wacken….

    C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y!!!!

    Jon smiling down from Above and Beyond…. :>

    Peace,
    Ted

  44. 44
    Reinder Dijkhuis says:

    Whoa… I finally got around to watching the longer excerpt from NDR, and I’m impressed! Gillan in better voice and with more energy than I’ve seen him (on video only) in about 10 years, and the band playing with power and feel, even if the odd ‘oopsie’ moment was to be heard for those of us who know the songs well.

    I’ve finally got off my butt and ordered tickets for their gig in Zwolle. That will be my first Deep Purple concert since the Concerto revival tour! Looking forward to it.

  45. 45
    Henrik says:

    Uli quotes a song in his solo during SOWT. Anyone knows what song it is?

  46. 46
    John Stew says:

    @Henrik: I think it is “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles.

  47. 47
    Roberto says:

    @22 your numbers are wrong….

  48. 48
    Henrik says:

    Thanks John- It´s true that it sounds like Eleanor Rigby. However, I am positive it is a Blackers riff from a solo. I can´t nail it though.

  49. 49
    Uwe Zinke says:

    Ted The Mechanic

    I maybe wrong but do or did you live in Göteborg?

    If so, maybe you remember me and you would like to answer to the guy from Bielefeld, Germany
    uwe.zinke@gmx.de

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