The fourth and final day of Best of Blues and Rock 2025 took place last Sunday, the 15th, in the city of São Paulo. The cold afternoon did not deter the audience, who came to witness rock 'n' roll for all ages.
Opening the afternoon, Hurricanes arrived with great enthusiasm, showcasing their repertoire that ranges between classic rock and blues – one of the festival's best choices. The quartet lived up to the Best of Blues and Rock theme, presenting songs from their two albums: the self-titled one from 2023, and Back to the Basement from 2024. A band formed by young people, in the year 2025, delivering a retro sound with a totally vintage look, a wonderful trip back in time.
The emotion of the band members was palpable as they stepped onto the stage of a major festival for the first time, opening for the band that most influenced their sound: Deep Purple . In an interview with Wikimetal , guitarist Leo Mayer commented on the opportunity: “We’re super excited and still in disbelief that this is happening because they really are one of our biggest influences. We still can’t quite believe it’s going to happen, seeing them up close like this. It’s going to be incredible, for sure.” And yes, it was incredible.
Shortly after, Judith Hill took to the stage for the first time in Brazil to showcase her vocal power that led her to work with two of the biggest names in music: Michael Jackson and Prince . The American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles delivered a live performance that combined her powerful vocal prowess and musicality with influences from funk, soul, and rock. Her ability to connect with the audience was the highlight of the performance, with a simple stage, intimate setting, and moving songs.
A timeless Deep Purple show
The stars of the night took to the stage punctually – very British. Deep Purple returned to Brazil for a single show at the Best of Blues and Rock festival less than a year after their last performance in the country, when they played in São Paulo and at Rock in Rio in September 2024.
With tickets sold out, the classic rock band proved once again that it is timeless, and even in a short period of time since its last show, it managed to draw a crowd of fans of all ages who never tire of seeing what we can call a masterclass live.
Deep Purple has been around for over 50 years and maintains an unstoppable concert schedule. Made up of four members over 75 years old – Ian Gillan on vocals, Ian Paice on drums, Roger Glover on bass, and Don Airey on keyboards – and the young Simon McBride on guitar, the group has proven that they can still handle many more shows and would still fill a venue if they returned next year.
The band continues promoting their latest release, =1 (2024), but doesn't leave out the classics everyone was expecting to see. They open the show with the banger "Highway Star" and blend in career hits like the anticipated "Smoke on the Water," "Black Night," and "Hush"—the latter a cover of Billy Joe Royal's song, immortalized on Deep Purple's debut album.
Deep Purple doesn't need much. The band delivers a simple show, where each musician masters their role, and they do it as if they were in the prime of their youth. The show is practically the same as last year's, but that's no reason not to witness the energy of one of the greatest rock bands still active.
Best of Blues and Rock 2025 concluded its 12th edition, demonstrating its long-term potential. It skillfully balanced its lineup, recreating an existing project and adding something more that made the festival both huge and innovative. By showcasing national bands, diverse styles, and artists of various ages and experiences, Best of Blues and Rock has established itself as a leading festival in Brazil.
Check out the photos by Marcela Lorenzetti :
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