Here we are at the OVO Hydro as Deep Purple bring their =1 More Time tour to Glasgow, with from Reef and their brand of ’90s rock. I must it, Reef was a band I never really listened to back in the day, and this was my first time seeing them live. However, I thoroughly enjoyed their set tonight. They opened with the bouncing rocker “Stone for Your Love,” setting the tone for the evening with a strong start. The band looked like they meant business, with Gary Stringer in fine voice, moving energetically across the stage. Guitarist Amy Newton was a joy to watch and listen to, while Luke Bullen laid down some excellent drum work. Meanwhile, Jack Bessant, resembling a long-distance-running Tom Hanks from Forrest Gump, delivered some seriously impressive bass lines.
Their 40-plus-minute set included several tracks from their best-known album, Glow (1997). Unsurprisingly, “Place Your Hands” got the biggest cheer of the night, but I found “Higher Vibration,” with its Stones/Aerosmith vibe, to be my favourite. We only got one track from 2022’s Shoot Me Your Ace, in the form of “Refugee,” which I thoroughly enjoyed. The set also featured highlights from their earlier albums, including the bass-driven “New Bird” and the funk-infused “Naked,” both of which delighted the crowd. They closed with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain,” which, while not my personal highlight, went down a storm with the audience. Overall, Reef put on a solid, well-balanced set, and though I wouldn’t call myself a convert just yet, they certainly rocked the Hydro tonight.
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As the lights dim, the large rear screen lights up, and Holst’s Mars, Bringer of War begins to play, signalling the arrival of Deep Purple. The unmistakable bassline of “Highway Star” kicks in, opening the set with an electric start. Ian Gillan’s vocals remain clear and bright—not quite what they were in his heyday but still impressive—while Ian Paice lays down tight drum licks and Roger Glover keeps the rhythm steady, looking like he’s having the time of his life.
Next comes the punchy “A Bit On The Side,” one of six tracks from their new album =1. Simon McBride proves why he’s the band’s latest “gunslinger,” trading licks with Don Airey in a fantastic display of musical chemistry. Ian dedicates the soulful “Uncommon Man,” with its soaring guitar and keyboard lines, to the late, great Jon Lord. A live rendition of “Lazy Sod” follows, punchier and more dynamic than the studio version—a definite highlight tonight, alongside “Bleeding Obvious,” which captures that classic Purple sound.
The set includes the obligatory but enjoyable solos, with Simon adding his distinctive, more aggressive spin to the guitar sections. Don Airey treats us to two keyboard solos, the first of which stood out as my favourite. The unmistakable organ riff heralds “Lazy,” one of the timeless classics that still feels fresh, alongside “When a Blind Man Cries” and “Space Truckin’.” The main set closes with none other than the iconic “Smoke on the Water,” which never fails to energise the crowd.
The band returns for an encore, starting with “Old-Fangled Thing” from =1 before revisiting their early days with a vibrant performance of “Hush.” They finish the night with a stunning, hard-hitting rendition of “Black Night,” leaving the audience thoroughly satisfied.
This set was packed with both timeless classics and impressive new tracks from their stellar album =1, showcasing that Deep Purple remain relevant and masterful live performers. As the audience leaves, you can’t help but wonder how much longer we’ll have the privilege of seeing this legendary band perform. Here’s hoping for at least one more tour.
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Photos by Gary Cooper
