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.”
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.
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.
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