Purple reign again at the LG Arena

Deep Purple

LG Arena, Birmingham NEC

Concert review by Debbie Bennett

After more than 40 years on the road you'd think Deep Purple would be hanging up their guitar straps and mic stands and looking forward to retirement.

Unfamiliar reviewers have used the terms 'dad rock' and 'sell-by date'. What's up? Not enough pyro or bad language?

On the contrary - on the third night of the band's UK tour, 64-year-old barefoot frontman Ian Gillan belted out hits and rarities at the LG Arena last night and was loving every minute of it.

This is a band that tours almost constantly. And not because of the download era hitting record sales, but because it's what they do and have always loved doing.

After a ripping intro of Highway Star, followed by Things I Never Said, we got classics such as Strange Kind Of Woman and Space Truckin', soaring ballad Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming, and even ancient pre-Gillan tunes Hush and Wring That Neck.

The age range of last night's crowd was wide (I took my 12-year-old for his first taste of Purple), and the so-called bus pass holders held in awe these die-hards of rock.

Where so many bands these days play as though they are rehearsing and with no interaction, Gillan usually grins and waves at his fans as though he's meeting an old friend for a beer in the pub, a gesture not quite as apparent at this gig.

The feel-good factor was held together by bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice and keys man Don Airey. And long-standing guitarist Steve Morse is a world away from the unpredictability and attention-seeking tantrums of mandolin man Richie Blackmore.

Each band member had his place in the spotlight - Morse's Contact Lost solo and Airey's classical medley interspersed with rock'n'roll being particular highlights.

The standing section of the crowd at the newly-refurbished LG Arena was a welcome sight, too. Deep Purple have so often had to play to a seated, arms-folded audience at the NEC venue, a real bugbear of Gillan's.

This aside, the Birmingham crowd was nowhere near as loud as its many European counterparts. Even Smoke On The Water and a rousing encore of Hush and Black Night couldn't get many bums off seats,

Next stop, London - and enjoy Purple while you can. I'm convinced this band will keep rockin' for years, but it's unlikely they'll return to UK shores for a while yet.