Deep Purple Announces Summer 2026 North American Tour with Kansas and Jefferson Starship
Deep Purple, the iconic British hard rock band, has announced their North American tour for the summer of 2026. The tour will feature support from Kansas and Jefferson Starship on select dates. The tour is set to begin on August 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will conclude on September 12 in Sparks, Nevada. Tickets for the tour will go on sale this Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. local time, with various presales starting on Wednesday, March 31.
The summer 2026 tour dates for Deep Purple include stops in cities like Clearwater, Hollywood, Wantagh, Halifax, Laval, Toronto, Detroit, Indianapolis, and many more. The band is also working on a new album, tentatively scheduled for release in June 2026. Singer Ian Gillan shared that the upcoming album will have an optimistic theme centered around the metamorphosis of humanity into a metaphysical state, offering a positive outlook on the end of humanity.
Gillan discussed the band's songwriting process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and improvisation during their jam sessions. He highlighted the band's unique approach to creating music, where ideas are generated through improvisation and then refined over time. Deep Purple recently welcomed Simon McBride as the replacement for guitarist Steve Morse, who left the band in 2022 to care for his wife battling cancer.
Despite the band's long and successful career spanning six decades, Gillan remains optimistic about the future of Deep Purple. He expressed that the band is rejuvenated with the addition of Simon McBride and is looking ahead to continue making music. Gillan acknowledged the challenges of aging, including his vision impairment, but emphasized his gratitude for still being able to perform and maintain his sense of humor.
As Deep Purple continues to rock stages around the world, Ian Gillan remains focused on delivering powerful performances and creating music that resonates with fans. The band's upcoming tour and new album are a testament to their enduring legacy in the world of rock music.