DEEP PURPLE Roman Theater of Mérida September 23, 2022The legendary British band Deep Purple, one of the great pioneers and legs on which hard rock stands, has landed in Spain this week to perform in two emblematic places.Yesterday they did it at the Roman Theater in Mérida, a World Heritage Site since 1993, as part of the Stone And Music Festival, and tonight they will do it in the Plaza de España in Seville as part of the Iconic Seville Fest.But before that, a historic event took place in Mérida.The entire Deep Purple inaugurated a plaque of honor yesterday at noon on the Via Musicorum (The Way of Music), located in front of the main entrance of the Roman Theater in Mérida, hours before their performance.Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey and new guitarist Simon McBride attended an event that immortalized the city's recognition of a historic band with more than half a century of experience.The five musicians uncovered the tribute plaque.Ian Gillan, representing the band, thanked for this distinction.At night, the Roman Theater of Mérida welcomed a good entrance to witness a special performance both for the magnitude of the band and for the impressive location of the concert.A show that also had another notable component, since it was Deep Purple's first concert in Spain with its new guitarist, Simon McBride, who a week ago was confirmed as a permanent member.In July Steve Morse announced that he was leaving the group after more than a quarter of a century to dedicate himself to the care and support of his wife, Janine, who is suffering from cancer.This year is also being special for the English, as they celebrate half a century since the release of their classic album Machine Head, and their legendary concerts in Japan that were the basis of the legendary Made In Japan live show.And precisely three of the protagonists of those Purple who forged their legend in the early seventies stepped on the stage of the Roman Theater in Mérida yesterday: Ian Gillan (voice), Ian Paice (drums) and Roger Glover (bass).Completing the lineup are keyboardist Don Airey, who has been in Deep Purple for a whopping 20 years, and new guitarist Simon McBride.They started around a quarter past ten at night with two of their great strengths: Highway Star and Pictures Of Home within a hardly comparable framework.And also not only because of the solemnity of the thousand-year-old theater, but also because of the impressive sound and the extraordinary play of lights.They then linked to two Whoosh! songs;No Need To Shout and Nothing At All."This is dedicated to our beloved Jon Lord," announced Ian Gillan at the Uncommon Man presentation of Now What?!, which Simon started with a guitar solo.Gillan pointed out the good vibes that were reaching her in such a special place.With Lazy there was a change in trend.He kicked off the track with a keyboard solo by Don Airey and was soon joined by Ian Gillan playing harmonica on one of the band's great songs.Blue tones took over the scene in one of the most emotional moments with When a Blind Man Cries.Ian Gillan showed that he maintains the color of his voice, although logically being aware of his limitations.At 77 years away from him, his impossible tones of yesteryear remain.He now knows how to acclimatize to other territories without the need to enter risk areas.Striking was the presence of a Simon McBride, who did not seem out of place at all despite the short time he has been in the band, and who left evidence of his abilities.What became clear is that his goal is not to wear the boots of Ritchie Blackmore or Steve Morse.He goes his way with a remarkably heavy style.Gillan introduced Anya as a mysterious subject with Hungarian reminiscences.Undoubtedly one of the great moments of the night thanks to an extraordinary song that belongs to The Battle Rages On… (1993), the last Deep Purple album signed by Ritchie Blackmore.Don Airey took the spotlight with a great solo that winked at the audience and left a record of his class.Airey's solo led to another of the most anticipated moments of the night: Perfect Strangers, the title track of his reunion album in 1984, and which left a deep mark on the audience yesterday.The blackness took over the hardest parts, to immediately give way to a powerful light on the stage.The end of the party came with Space Truckin' and the most anticipated, Smoke On The Water, which raised a good part of the audience from their seats.Without a doubt, it was the most chanted song in length.Neither more nor less than two of the songs that Made In Japan lit up in a row had served to close the central block of the performance.There were still the encores that started on a stage with watery effects in the lights to the rhythm of Hush, a song by Joe South that Deep Purple adapted on their first album in 1968. In Hush they inserted an extensive instrumental part crowned by a hand in hand between Ian Paice and Roger Glover.A luxury rhythm section that has been marking the band's beats for decades.Paice has been the only drummer in the group since 1968 and that says it all.And Roger Glover, for his part, has been one of the great essential musicians in the Deep Purple legacy.The end of such an event came in style with a Black Night that triggered the motivation of the most enthusiastic and that served as a farewell to a concert that many will not be able to forget.Deep Purple established a new milestone in the thousand-year-old history of the Teatro Romano de Mérida and showed that his talent is unalterable, and that his energy does not seem to be in the red at all.And just as theater has endured through the centuries, Deep Purple's music is bound to do as well.DEEP PURPLE SETLIST – ROMAN THEATER OF MERIDAHighway Star Pictures Of Home No Need To Shout Nothing At All Uncommon Man Lazy When A Blind Man Cries Anya Keyboard Solo Perfect Strangers Space Truckin' Smoke On The WaterDeep Purple inaugurates its plaque of honor in MéridaKai Hansen has been robbed.Roberto Gonzalo, bass player from Tierra Santa,.The Keep It True festival is streaming.Iron Maiden is going to round up the.Amaranthe's concert, Beyond The.The concert of Amon Amarth, Machine.