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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
6:21 PM 19th November 2017
arts

Europe And Deep Purple, Manchester Arena

 
Europe
Europe
With Europe having a song that everyone knows it was still a good introduction to their extensive catalogue for the Deep Purple fans.

With a new album Walk The Earth just out, it was the title track of the album that kicked things off. It was not long before they were visiting the old tracks such as Rock The Night and Carrie.

Lead singer Joey Tempest shares that the band saw Deep Purple in Stockholm in 1984 and they had a big influence on the band with the Made in Japan album.

Concluding with their most recognisable song, The Final Countdown, Tempest still twirls the microphone stand just like he did in the video to the track in 1986. It was a fitting end to what had been a triumphant and entertaining set.

Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are still going strong, Ian Gillian's hair might not be as thick as back in the day, but the voice is still as strong as ever. Wearing a Berlin T Shirt it might have been more opportune to wear an "I ❤️ Manchester " T Shirt given the venue they were playing.

Don Airey's keyboards are central to the Deep Purple sound and he excelled on Birds of Prey and Knocking on Your Back Door.

Uncommon Man dedicated to the late Jon Lord was a poignant moment which showed the light and shade of the band.

Bathed naturally in purple lighting for a lot of the set it was good to hear and see one of the original rock masters still working loud and proud.

Smoke on the Water closed a brilliant set but it wasn't long before they were back on stage for the fans to witness another rock classic, Black Night.

The tour is entitled the Long Goodbye tour but on this showing it looks a long way off.