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A Happy Birthday for all!!
Deep Purple live at Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, USA 2024-08-19)
Deep Purple having not been to Southern California since before the pandemic, we decided to see the show which was the farthest west in the USA the band would come on this =1 More Time / Unleashed tour. So we hopped a flight from Los Angeles to Fort Worth, Texas, Dickies Arena. Having not seen them in five years, the anticipation was high!
This show represents the 6th decade we’ve seen Deep Purple live. I would have to say this show sits in the top five, perhaps top three, we’ve seen since the beginning. It always starts and ends with Ian G and on this night, perhaps because of all the “Happy Birthdays” thrown to him, he was animated, funny and giving his usual 100%+ on every song. And thank goodness, we didn’t get the typical USA greatest hits set. The new album was prominently featured and this meant Simon was all over the show. There is a new pace, a frenzy, in the show and setlist – to the better! Don hamming it up with the waiter and the glass of wine. (He downed it effortlessly). Ian P and Roger as proficient as ever. And the sound of the show was fantastic. Shout out to the production crew.
Since 2014, we’ve approached every Deep Purple show as possibly the last. And even though current media shows there is no intent on stopping anytime soon, if this is our last one, it was Bleeding Obvious a great show memory and great way to go out!
review by Martin Paretti
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
All very heartening to hear!
August 23rd, 2024 at 17:24I was at Dickies Arena myself, although it was only a 15min. drive for me. And I concur that your enthusiasm was well warranted. The band played and sounded great and there was definitely more fire in their bellies than the shows I saw in 2015 and 2017.
August 23rd, 2024 at 21:23It heartens me, because I’m in my hotel in Chicago waiting for tonight’s show!
I know Yes, obviously, but who is Hannah Wicklund, and why is she on the bill too?
August 23rd, 2024 at 22:11Gary Graff wrote a nice review of the DP show in Sterling Heights, near Detroit:
https://www.macombdaily.com/2024/08/23/deep-purple-yes-keep-their-classic-rock-fresh-at-michigan-lottery-amphitheatre/
Evidently, the song “Lazy Sod” – where he talks about reminding himself to turn the gas stove off – was rooted in reality, because Gillan joked about the song referencing him burning his house down. Years ago, I asked Ian about that cool-looking sweater he wore during the making of Machine Head (it’s in photos on the MH album sleeve). He told me he lost it in that house fire decades ago.
August 23rd, 2024 at 22:12It would be nice to find a video of the audience singing happy birthday to Big Ian!
August 23rd, 2024 at 23:07Yo,
Great review, & well deserved. It must be nice to be at the top once again !
Too bad Heff isn’t with us anymore, as a relax at the mansion for a mid-tour-break for a few weeks / months would have been a great revitaliser too.
Peace !
August 23rd, 2024 at 23:54Southern Texas I belive. Or maybe Texas have joined California to become an economic superpower..!
August 24th, 2024 at 08:24Hope this continues- show in 2 weeks-
August 24th, 2024 at 13:37YES!
The energy in this new line up is palpable.
Was at the Choctaw Casino gig in OK the night before Forth Worth. Smaller arena. No support band so they just came out and rocked the house. The sound was not perfect but it was really good to hear all the new material included in the set. A bit on the side, Lazy Sod, Show me , Portable Door and Bleeding Obvious were all played with lots of energy. Plus the classics ! Allowed Simon to do his thing which is impressive. Paice and Glover superb as always
Then onto Dickies arena where the sound was much better particularly for Ian. Almost identical set but the same energy and showmanship. Hard to believe sometimes most of these guys are in their late 70s ! And of course it was Ian’s birthday. Fun.
Forth Worth was Deep Purple at their best. 28th and 29th time for me seeing this incredible band. Long may they continue.
August 26th, 2024 at 01:38