Deep Purple Storm Sofia in Bulgaria

Fans in Sofia, Bulgaria, were treated to a high-octane display of hard rock as Deep Purple took to the stage at Arena 8888 on September 29, 2026. A fan-filmed video captured by Kalin Filipov showcases the band's extensive set, which included heavy hitters such as "Highway Star", "Hush", and the iconic "Smoke On The Water".

This tour comes on the heels of the band's latest studio effort, "Splat!", released on July 3 via earMUSIC. Marking their sixth collaboration with producer Bob Ezrin, the record has been hailed by outlets like Uncut and Classic Rock as a masterclass in the band's signature spirit, with many describing it as their heaviest offering in years.

I don't listen to it from my perspective. I listen to it from the audience's perspective.

Bassist Roger Glover has recently reflected on the magic of these live performances, particularly when tackling the 1972 staple "Smoke On The Water". Speaking on the "Creativity: Something From Nothing" podcast, Glover explained that he never tires of the track because he performs it from the perspective of the audience. He noted that the song's simple structure allows him to vary his bass parts to keep the performance fresh. Glover echoed sentiments he expressed in 2018 and to The Guardian, describing the live experience as a moment where time is diminished into microseconds, leaving the musicians in a heightened state of awareness and instinct.