Tour Highlights: Deep Purple and Judas Priest

They’re calling it “The Long Goodbye Tour,” but for fans of the band Deep Purple no goodbye will be long enough. The seminal band that had a heavy hand in creating modern heavy metal announced this 2018 venture would likely be their very last, citing age and health issues.

It’s somewhat fitting for Deep Purple to be loading what is likely their final tour with classic songs. No single track stands out, but the classic album Machine Head is far and away the most represented on the tour. The band has been playing live versions of “Highway Star,” “Lazy,” “Pictures of Home,” “Space Truckin’” and, of course, “Smoke on the Water.”

Deep Purple setlist

The band has been playing a cover, though it’s possible people have missed it because they didn’t realize it was actually a cover. While Deep Purple’s version of “Hush” from 1968 is probably the best known version of the song, the song was originally written by Joe South a year earlier for Billie Joe Royal. The song was later covered by Britpop band Kula Shaker in the 90’s, but Deep Purple’s version remains the standard.

Deep Purple - Hush (Live)

Along for the fun this late summer and into fall are fellow heavy metal icons Judas Priest. But in sharp contrast, Judas Priest has been dominating their set with songs from their newest release Firepower. That doesn’t mean they aren’t playing some classics, “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” has been played just as many times as the title track from the newest album.

Judas Priest setlist

While the tour will wrap September 30, there’s a chance this “goodbye” for Deep Purple isn’t forever. Drummer Ian Paice said that the band needed to slow down a little and remember they’re not 21 anymore, “But never say never.”

Aug. 24 — Detroit, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

Aug. 25 — Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

Aug. 27 — Hamilton, ON @ FirstOntario Centre

Aug. 29 — Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre

Aug. 30 — Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron

Sept. 1 — Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

Sept. 2 — Bethel Woods, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Sept. 5 — Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater

Sept. 6 — Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

Sept. 8 — Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach

Sept. 9 — Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion

Sept. 11 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

Sept. 12 — Jacksonville, FL @ Daily's Place

Sept. 14 — Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

Sept. 16 — Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum

Sept. 18 — Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre

Sept. 20 — Welch, MN @ Treasure Island Casino

Sept. 21 — Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah's Council Bluffs

Sept. 23 — Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center

Sept. 26 — San Diego, CA @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre

Sept. 27 — Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre

Sept. 29 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

Sept. 30 — Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre

Karma Police - Please Share:

Most played songs