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First time seeing Deep Purple for me and I am not their biggest fan – but I have been to some decent concerts so I thought I’d add my review in.

Got there for around 6.50. I think it was around this time that Thin Lizzy were on, but they were already playing when I got in. Not too bad – I quite liked some of the guitar stuff. Not too familiar with the band themselves so I am not really the best judge.

Again, not too familiar with Styx. I only really liked one of their songs ‘Come Sail Away’. Nice of them to throw out loads of Styx branded goods to the audience tho.

Changeover took around 20 mins between each band. I would say DP came on around 9.20-9.30. Overall the show was good. Just as DP came on a large chunk of the audience who were sitting higher up at the back all decided to go to the front and stand along with the people who had seats but were standing up on the flat floor – this created a nightmare for security who were then struggling to keep people off of a totally packed floor.

There have been a lot of comments about Steve Morse in these reviews. For my money he totally stole the show with his solo part (definitely going to look out for a bootleg of that in particular).

This is where I will be critical…’When a Blind Man Cris’ – I was a bit disappointed with this – I wish they would play a bit less heavy, more like the original version. Also felt disappointed with the ‘Highway Star’ solo – one of the best solos out there and it hardly featured – Morse’s guitar should have been much more solo and maybe it would have been good of him to extend it slightly.

Final annoyance – the show was VERY short – one hour 30 mins max. We were out by 11 pm. I imagine they were saving themselves for the bigger show in London the next night, which is disappointing.

At the end of the day people paid £31.50 to see Deep Purple, so I would have thought two hours minimum – even if we did get another two hours by way of support (thereby giving us 3.5 hours of music). I would imagine most people stumped up for Deep Purple and one hour 30 mins doesn’t cover it.

As I say in the start of my review I have been to a fair few concerts and even bands that charges less than half as much usually play well over two hours from what I have experience. Also I was a bit annoyed because they had obviously cut out Perfect Strangers, which was a song I wanted to hear. 🙂

Finally – the BIC is a very nice venue. The sound for Thin Lizzy was spot on, when Styx came on it got a fair bit louder – almost to the point of things just starting to get a bit fuzzy and not to clear. Possibly got a tad louder for Deep Purple.

Overall a fairly decent concert but not up there with the best ones I have seen. On the way out I noticed a lot of the other audience members thought the show was very short as well.

Mo Islam

This was my first visit to the BIC and my first ‘name’ concert in a few years. So I wasn’t sure what I was in for! But the venue was great – just the right size and good facilities.

First up ‘Thin Lizzy’ – hmmmm… I saw the Robertson/Gorham line ups in days of yore and this really was just a ‘tribute to…’ I preferred Sykes in Whitesnake. Still it was nice to hear some of the old Lizzy hits even if Tommy Aldridge did mess up Emerald a bit. But going out as Thin Lizzy? Hmmm, dunno.

Styx. I didn’t really know any of their stuff but what a revelation! I thought they were really good fun, hamming it up all over the place. I vaguely remember them from a Sounds revue but wasn’t really interested in those days. Great players and it looked as though they enjoyed it. Just the right side of Spinal Tap. Great.

And so to the Purps. The last Purple gig I went to was in 1976 with Tommy Bolin! (who I was a big fan of and desperately wanted to do well) and in fact I’ve never even seen them with Gillan.

They were fantastic. Tight, punchy, great sounding – this line up really seems to gel.

I had wondered about a Lordless Purple but Don Airey has stepped up to the part brilliantly (I always like his playing with Colosseum II). Great friendly vibe.

The set was pretty good, but I must admit I am not the greatest Machine Head fan. That said they played all the numbers with gusto. Ian’s voice was particularly good.

I do have to concur with some other reviews that more newer material would have been welcome, which would allow mr. Morse’s talents to really shine.

Favourites? When a blind man cries, Into the fire, Rapture of the Deep and The Battle Rages On.

Yep, great stuff and I think I’ll come again.

Jonathan Barry

Arrived a little late but caught the end of Thin Lizzy’s set. Don’t know what to say really, all talented musicians and everyone seemed to enjoy them but they really are a covers band aren’t they, albeit a very good one.

Tommy Aldridge is always good value for money and my 19 yr old son loves watching him (it’s animal off the Muppets!). What he lacks in subtlety he makes up for in enthusiasm and effort.

Next up were Styx which surprised me as I thought they would’ve been first on. I did buy an album of theirs in my younger days (Pieces of eight) but don’t hold that against me as we’ve all got some skeletons.

Typically American, (We got us a rawk show!), my youngest son would have loved them but he missed the show due to falling ill on the day. More surprisingly my son who did come and is into Nine Inch Nails in a big way turned to me at the close of their set and said “I really enjoyed them!”

At last Purple hit the stage to the sound of Pictures of Home. I was crestfallen as one of my favourite songs was ruined by a crap mix. Sound was also much quieter than the support acts. This got sorted from Things I never said next up.

What was clear was Gillan was in fine voice much better than last time at Cardiff. To be truthful I didn’t think he was capable of being this good any more. He excelled throughout struggling only with Into the Fire.

Set list was as described in other reviews but lots of highlights for me – SKOW, Space Truckin’, Rapture, Hush, Lazy were all superb as was The Battle rages on. I’m not leaving much out am I? Yeah they were that good tonight.

For me the momentum was lost a little with Steve’s showcase spot and as much as I appreciate his skills he lacks in charisma for me. I ended up wishing time to go quicker to bring the band back in.

There’s still an air of trying desperately to gain even more acceptance of Steve from the crowd with Ian constantly cajoling the crowd to cheer him on. Not really necessary in my opinion.

Don on the other hand is sensational and now oozes confidence within the band baiting Steve to duel with him on several occasions. As much as I loved the set I’d have loved to see Before Time Began especially and Money Talks in there.

Noticed Ian’s wife Bron and possibly his daughter sat on the edge of the stage with a few others and they were really into it. Paicey was on the money as always and Roger looked to be loving being back in his homeland.

They finished with an excellent and REALLY loud Smoke and Black Night before they were gone again. Gillan gave a long and emotive goodnight which had me wondering if I’d see them back in Wales again? On this showing I certainly hope so!

Kev Roberts
South Wales

We arrived at 7.30 anticipating a look at Thin Lizzy who we remembered as a great warm up on the USA tour in New York at the Beacon in 2004, but were really disappointed to find they had been and gone!

The Cardiff International Arena is not our favourite venue, I must say, with literally over the top security and poor crowd organisation. The venue was packed and you seem to be herded like sheep wherever you go, doors locked, barricades up… A sign of the sue you mentality of the world we live in.

Anyway after getting our extremely over priced drinks we mingled to take a look at Styx who, whilst having a good sound, made us look and listen to the most unendearing patronising American boy next door pastiche and cliched antics, especially from the keyboard player (I love me, who do you love?)… Awful!!

Once they had gone we waited for a quick turn around as the crew worked excellently in setting up Purple’s gear. At approx 9.45 the band hit the stage with Pictures of home as they have done for most dates on the tour.

Sound is good from where we are (centre stage, 25m back). The first three nuumbers are turned into a medley before Ian says hello. They are all looking happy and are enjoying their’ third gig here in five years.

The set list is the same as in Manchester… A superb Into the Fire. How does Ian manage those screams at 61? He looks a little tired but still manages to sum up the stamina and deliver amazing vocals.

Steve is on form, the crowd enjoying his solo piece and Roger and Ian provide the usual solid rhythym laced by Don’s melodic tinkling on the Hammond and synth.

The set is too short for me (75min) but that is due to having three acts… obviously a commercial decision.

Since this is a Rapture tour I was disappointed that the band had dropped Junkyard Blues and Wrong Man which we felt went down so well in Paris (January 24 2006 see review) and it was nice to see The Battle Rages On but Perfect Street Rangers was sorely missed.

Let’s have a return of numbers from Purpendicular, Abandon and Bananas, songs like Screaming, Watching the Sky and Ted and House of Pain which they played so well in Denmark 2003.

They finished with the usual Machine Head numbers and an encore of Hush and Black Niught before the house lights signalled the end of another solid performance from a band who arguably are the best at their trade in the world today.

Dave Bonner

Just a quick one to say I really enjoyed the Deep Purple gig at the Arena in Newcastle.

A few moments of uncertainty at times but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the gig and the band looked to be enjoying it – smiling at each other at any such moments of hesitation.

I think the chemistry is undoubtedly still there with this band – both in the studio and live – a brilliant combination of talent, musicianship and rock’n’roll spirit, it really is a joy to behold.

I’d maybe have preferred to see the band at the City Hall but having said that it’s just superb to see this greatest of rock bands again anywhere and this was a cracking gig for me.

I’d have liked to hear some stuff like Battle Rages On having had my appetite whetted by other reviewers, but it was a real treat to hear Machine Head in its entirety, including one of my all time favourites, When a Blind Man Cries – I never get tired of them playing this one.

Maybe I’m a Leo, Highway Star, Smoke on the Water, Pictures of Home etc – unbeatable stuff.

Great to hear Rapture of the Deep live, and I really liked the opening salvo of Fireball and Things I Never Said – what start!

Encores of a brilliant Hush and Black Night rounded things off in fine style. I thought Gillan’s voice was in really fine fettle and it’s tremendous to see this band rocking live. They are truly the greatest. Long may they continue.

Andy Atkinson

I’ve been a big fan of Purple since 1970 and have seen them countless times, but the show in Manchester left me and my bro very disappointed.

We were at the front at Roger Glover’s side and I must say his guitar was cranked up so high it swamped everything else. All we could hear was bass guitar. I shouted to Roger about the problem and he suggested that we go stand on the other side (thanks Rog).

[It’s a well known fact that the front row rarely offers the best mix of the instruments – simply because you’ll be standing too close to one instrument. For better balance it’s always a good idea to stand further back. /Rasmus]

Ian Gillan said sometime ago that they were not a classic rock band because they we still writing happening music. Well they might be writing it but they are not playing it live! This is the Rapure of the deep tour and one or two songs just doesn’t cut it. The rest of the show is made up of the classics. Let’s get some more of the new stuff played live.

Now that I’ve had my moan, we’re off to Glasgow to see the band I love.

John Broadsword
life long Purple fan

The first of my gigs arrived and off to sunny Cardiff nice and early to get in the front row (I’m 50 this year, will I ever grow up? God, I hope not!).

Anyway – got in at the front slightly off centre on Roger’s side and eventually the lights dim and Thin Snake or is it White Lizzy come on stage – with Tommy Aldridge, Marco Mendoza and John Sykes I thought it might be a Whitesnake tribute band, but then I saw Scott Gorham and I suppose that gives them a little more authenticity.

Nothing to greatly impress me, but then I was never a big fan of Thin Lizzy even when Phil was alive. A mercifully short set from my point of view.

Once the equipment was rolled in it was lights down again and Styx took the stage. OK, I apologies to any Styx fan but seriously! I was in front of a demented Joe Pasqaulie(?) look alike with a revolving keyboard – gosh special effects too! There was also someone who looked liked RJ Dio disguised as Billy Connolly – no, on second thoughts he is too short! Adept musicians ’tis true, but leaves me cold, sorry! (I did get a Styx plectrum in the eye, which will see eBay very soon.)

On to the main event – the thrill of seeing the Purps assemble on stage just never dims – this, coupled with the ‘mystery’ of will they, won’t they do Machine Head as per the Classic Rock mailing?

Well an obvious no then, as they open with Pictures of Home. What followed was the same set list as Manchester – and every second was absolutely on the button. Gillan’s voice was spot on all night; Steve Morse just gets better; Don Airey is truly at home and desevedly so and Paice and Glover are the best powerhouse rhythm section on the planet…. bar none!

Highlights? Into the Fire was stunningly worked and a real pleasure to hear. Rapture of the Deep works so well on stage that perhaps they will realise that more Morse era stuff is really appreciated by the fans….. More Morse please!

Smoke on the Water featured a special appearance of Rogers trusty (and recently repaired) Rickenbacker bass – still a great sounding and lovely looking guitar. On a side note, I noticed his Vigier signature basses have luminous fret markers and knob surrounds (yes, I am sad; one day I may actually get a life!).

Lazy and The Battle Rages On were superb – I love the way both Don and Steve take the heart and feeling of the originals and fill them with new life.

The usual encores ensued – how about some different ones guys? (from Bananas or Abandon?) Still, Hush and Black Night are great songs and we all na, na, na’d and whoa, whoa’d in perfect harmony (ish).

Paicey’s one handed drum roll appeared in his very brief solo – I’ve seen him demonstrate this on the DVD with Chad Smith, but still cannot understand how he does it.

Another great night from a band at their peak and, importantly, happy in what they do – smiles all round continues to be a theme of this incarnation and it does filter into their playing and to the audience – long may it continue.

Incidentally, the gig looks like it has been filmed – a single camera was in front and I assume others elsewhere – it’ll be worth it if it comes out to see the front singing Smoke!

The downsides, apart from (or because of) Thin Lizzy and Styx, no time for between song banter and the encore was cut slightly short by some frantic off stage waving meaning they had to wind up when officialdom said so rather than when they (and we) were ready.

So Birmingham next week for the last night of the tour – Cardiff was great, here’s hoping the last night is even better.

Tom Dixon

Today, April 26, Ian Gillan appeared on BBC Radio 5 Simon Mayo show. You can listen to the show online here (RealMedia). Ian is interviewed by a political reporter in Cardiff, Wales. The segment of interest runs approximately between 0:48:30 – 1:00:00 into the show.

Thanks to Kevin Dixon for the info.

Last year Roger Glover, the man of many talents, has donated one of his paintings to the Linda McCartney Centre. The painting was sold at an auction, raising £900 for cancer patients.

Taking advantage of a day’s break in the UK tour, Roger visited the Centre at the Royal Hospital in Liverpool and personally signed 100 limited edition prints to be auctioned off to raise money.

The prints will be available by calling (in UK) 0151 706 3153 or visiting www.yourcentre.org.

Coverage of the visit: liverpool.com, Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool Echo.

Thanks to Lesley Worrall and Alienor for the info.