The group is celebrating 50 years of their seminal hit “Smoke On the Water’

Deep Purple [Courtesy]

This summer, Deep Purple, one of Britain’s most influential bands, are returning to North America for their =1 More Time Tour. The band will celebrate over 50 years of their seminal hit, “Smoke On the Water,” from their landmark 1972 album, Machine Head. The run begins on August 14 at Hard Rock Live inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida and wraps up on September 8 at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Very special guests for the trek will be progressive rock icons Yes.

Check out the full tour itinerary below.

Tickets will go on sale beginning with a pre-sale on Wednesday, April 10 at 10am local time. VIP Packages will also be available. The general on-sale begins on Friday, April 12 at 10am.

The Smoke On the Water Meet & Greet Package includes: a ticket in first three rows (varies by venue), Meet & Greet with band members (will not include Ian Gillan), photo opportunity with band members (will not include Ian Gillan), one personal item autographed, exclusive Deep Purple VIP t-shirt, exclusive Deep Purple VIP merchandise, and a commemorative laminate with a lanyard. The Meet & Greet and photo opportunities may be socially distanced based on any potential COVID-related restrictions and precautions.

The Highway Star package includes a ticket in the first ten rows (varies by venue), an exclusive Deep Purple VIP t-shirt, and exclusive Deep Purple VIP merchandise.

Fronted by the legendary Ian Gillan, whose vocals have defined generations and accompanied by the masterful bassist Roger Glover, the powerhouse drummer Ian Paice, the maestro on keyboards Don Airey, and the sensational guitarist Simon McBride, Deep Purple guarantees a musical journey like no other. Since joining the band in 2022, Simon McBride has already played to Deep Purple audiences totalling more than half a million people.

Selling over 100 million records and laying the ground for hard rock and metal, the band continue to tour arenas the world over and release hit albums.  Their last studio album, 2020’s Whoosh! was their highest charting in 46 years, making N0. 4 in UK Albums chart.

Combining Now WHAT?! (2013) and Infinite (2017) and Whoosh! (2020), Deep Purple returned as one of the best-selling hard rock bands around, with sales exceeding one million copies.

They have been touring the globe consistently since forming in 1968, travelling through rock genres and line ups to become a British institution. A measure of their influence can be seen in their fans, who count Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and Metallica among their most ardent numbers. Hit songs “Hush,” “Black Night,” “Speed King,” “Fireball,” “Highway Star,” and, of course, “Smoke On The Water,” helped define heavy rock, riffs and all. They remain true to the band’s origins and their ever-forging future.

Yes is a seminal band in the progressive rock genre, known for their intricate compositions, complex harmonies, and virtuosic musicianship. The band was formed in 1968 in London, England, by singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire. Yes quickly distinguished themselves from their contemporaries with their ambitious musical approach, merging rock with elements of classical, jazz, and later, electronic music.

The lineup of Yes changed frequently over the years, with numerous members coming and going, but the classic lineup is often considered to include Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (bass), Steve Howe (guitar), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Bill Bruford (drums). This lineup was responsible for some of the band’s most iconic albums, including “The Yes Album” (1971), “Fragile” (1971), and “Close to the Edge” (1972), which are often cited as cornerstones of the progressive rock genre.

Yes’s music is characterized by extended song structures, dynamic contrasts, and a blend of acoustic and electronic instruments. Their lyrics often explore themes of spirituality, science fiction, and philosophy. The band’s elaborate live performances, featuring sophisticated light shows and stage designs, have also been a significant aspect of their identity.

Throughout the 1970s, Yes was at the peak of their commercial and critical success, but the band faced challenges in the late 70s and early 80s with changing musical trends and internal conflicts. However, they achieved a remarkable comeback with the 1983 album “90125,” featuring the hit single “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” which saw the band adopting a more contemporary sound and enjoying renewed mainstream success.

Despite the death of founding member Chris Squire in 2015, Yes has continued to perform and record music with various lineups. The band’s influence on the development of progressive rock and their continued popularity among fans of the genre is undisputed. Yes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, a testament to their enduring legacy and contributions to the world of music.

August 14 – Hard Rock Live – Hollywood, FL
August 15 – Hard Rock Live – Tampa, FL
August 17 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX
August 19 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
August 21 – PNC Pavilion – Cincinnati, OH
August 22 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater – Detroit, MI
August 23 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
August 25 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
August 27 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC
August 28 – BankNH Pavilion – Gilford, NH
August 30 – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – Camden, NJ
August 31 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
September 1 – Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
September 3 – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT
September 4 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
September 6 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY
September 7 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
September 8 – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – Scranton, PA

Tickets and VIP Packages will be available HERE