World-renowned for their timeless hit "Smoke On The Water," Deep Purple made their return to Brazil last Saturday night, the 13th, in São Paulo, at Espaço Unimed.
The last time the group had come to the country was in 2023, for the return of the Monsters Of Rock festival, also in the city of São Paulo.
Despite being quite popular within the rock scene, outside of it, the group is not as well-known, even though it is one of the pioneers of hard rock, having influenced several famous bands both within and outside the genre.
Currently touring their latest album, =1 (2024), they brought a mix of some of their greatest classics and other lesser-known songs. In a good setlist choice, the show began with the powerful "Highway Star," which, in its first few minutes, already features Ian Paice , which, combined with the keyboards, immortalized by Jon Lord and currently played by Don Airey , thrilled and moved the audience.
The musicians' talent is undeniable, but special mention should be made of the sometimes underappreciated guitarist Simon McBride , who exudes technical skill and precision – proof of which came later when he delivered a beautiful solo.
Another very characteristic aspect – and one that highlights one of the band's main distinguishing features – is the use of keyboards, an element that is immediately associated with the group and is often also implemented by other groups.
This can be observed in several tracks that Deep Purple composed throughout their career, and it continues to this day, such as in "A Bit on the Side".
Some songs didn't excite the audience as much, such as "Hard Lovin' Man," perhaps due to its more instrumental nature, with a lot of keyboards, but with a great guitar solo.
In comparison, "Into the Fire," which follows immediately afterward, is the perfect example of the groove and musicality that the band possesses.
Aside from the music, everything the British band used during their performance was essential to creating the best possible atmosphere, crafting moments that were both welcoming and energetic, with a unique aesthetic.
The harmonica detail in "Lazy" makes all the difference, and the double feature of songs from Machine Head (1972), consisting of that song and "When a Blind Man Cries," is essential in a Deep Purple show, the latter making the audience sing along with Ian Gillan .
As Deep Purple drew to a close in São Paulo, the band performed two of their career hits. The first, "Space Truckin'", is an absolute powerhouse, brimming with speed and energy, driven by frenetic drumming.
Meanwhile, "Smoke On The Water" followed, becoming a recognized track that transcended the realm of rock, becoming an icon within music.
To close out the night, the group performed two covers: “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the MG’s and “Hush” by Joe South , in addition to “Black Night”.
Deep Purple bid farewell to the city with just one show, but delivered a fantastic performance that will remain etched in the minds of fans.
The band delivers a high level of performance, and this is evident at various points in the show. There are slower moments, such as the keyboard solos, but these become essential.
The show has a unique vibe that demonstrates why they are among the great names in rock.
Our contributor Leca Suzuki was also present that evening and captured everything with exclusive photos. Check out our gallery below:
