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Deep Purple review – age cannot wither these pogoing rock elders

Now in their late 70s, the band revisit the classics but also show off remarkably fresh rockers from their new album – and keep the lid on their solos

There are certain things that have to be factored into life: Boris Johnson will self-promote; Five Guys is overpriced; and Deep Purple (and their spinoff bands) will plague the audience with solo spots. At 79, Ian Gillan isn’t going to be asking for Child in Time to be returned to the set to test his falsetto scream, but his voice is strong and true, and he can summon a roar when needed, as on Into the Fire. Lazy Sod has a typically eccentric lyric from Gillan, but its groove and power would have done the group proud in 1972, while Now You’re Talkin’ has the same propulsive thrill as Highway Star: the use of Hammond organ to supply the parts usually played by rhythm guitar giving it that distinctive Purple rumble.

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