Bruce Dickinson sells Purple tickets

I’m probably one of a rarer breed of fan who was into Deep Purple in 1970-71 but lost track soon afterwards. Only really familiar with In Rock and Very Best of Deep Purple (Deepest Purple). The buzz I got off that material and Bruce Dickinson’s exhortation that “Purple are still playing just as good as they were when they first kicked off, if not better” were sufficient inducement to go along to the Cardiff gig.

I was however a bit apprehensive about the anticipated volume, having thought I was probably ear-damaged for life after attending Deep Purple concerts 30 years ago, when the band took pride in being the loudest on the circuit. But the sound level was fine, and the mix clean though Ian Gillan’s voice wasn’t always quite right.

Though greying now, Gillan still looks good and fit. His denims having given way to cool monochrome loose clothing, he set up a good rapport with the audience, adding anecdotal interest to the songs as he introduced them.

Peter Gaskell

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