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Deep Purple [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2026-04-12  

On Saturday last week I took a paid day off work, because I usually finish work at 5:55 P.M. on Saturdays, but I had a ticket to see Deep Purple so there was no way I could go to work and get to the gig on time.

I’ve been a hard rock/heavy metal fan since about 13 and I’m now 65. I’d only seen them live once before; on the Perfect Strangers tour in 1984 (I think) in Australia, and it was a killer gig. When I found out they were starting this current tour here in Japan I lamented on Facebook that I wouldn’t be able to go, as my finances wouldn’t stretch to the 22,000 yen ticket price. An old friend sent me a private message saying he’d gladly sent me the price of a ticket but I told him not to worry; I’d live. But he insisted and so I relented and said yes.

I WAS a little worried, I must admit, as; apart from the current guitarist, who’s not even 40; the members are either in their late 70’s or turning 81 this year. Could they still deliver I wondered? Did they have the energy to stay on stage for a decent amount of time and still rock? And the answer is “FUCK YEAH!!!”

Ian Gillan’s voice wasn’t able to reach those screaming, high notes he was so famous for, it’s true, but I had expected that would be the case. And there was a ‘rest area’ on stage he frequently retreated to during long instrumental stretches, but apart from that…

Instrumentally also, there was no ‘dedicated’ drum solo from Ian Paice, but his power and stamina were still WAY impressive, from the only remaining constant member of every line-up in the band’s long history. Roger Glover; the bass player; also really didn’t look like the 80 year old he is; staying on stage for most of the gig. And Don Airey; the current keyboard player, and 77; really played some great stuff too.

They started just after 6 P.M. and kept it up through to about 8:15; two and a quarter hours of solid, pounding hard rock that would put players a quarter their age(s) to shame! The playlist including some of their newer material, but for the most part was a soul-stirring (for me and the approximately 10,000 (at a guess) others there) trip back to their old favourites; even back to ‘Hush’, from their first album.

I’m kicking myself now for not buying a tour T-shirt, because this just may be the last chance to see them (a)live I fear, but, I saw them, and that’s what counts. If you are still a headbanger; no matter your age; I strongly recommend grabbing a ticket if you haven’t already. Though the venue (Budokan) was decidely NOT ‘age friendly’; uncovered concrete floor, steep steps, VERY small and narrow seats; and it became difficult to sit still; I’m hell fucking glad I went!

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/4/12/2377582/-Deep-Purple?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web

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