It was a cool night in Laval, walking toward Place Bell, getting ready for a show that was both unexpected and exciting.
The crowd was amazing. People of all ages were wearing classic rock band T-shirts, but I would say around 80% of them were between 50 and 80 years old. It was awesome to see so many people from different generations coming together.
Jefferson Starship
Even though I didn’t know much about Jefferson Starship, because it wasn’t really my music growing up, I was genuinely surprised. More than five decades after they first took flight, they still bring the spirit of classic American rock to the stage, proving that great songs and outstanding musicians never go out of style.
Around 6:40, Jefferson Starship opened the show with a loud and powerful performance of “Find Your Way Back.” David Freiberg and Cathy Richardson, with their amazing voices, immediately brought warmth and energy to the crowd.
Right after that came “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” It honestly felt like travelling back in time.
Then came “White Rabbit,” a timeless psychedelic rock classic whose haunting melody instantly changed the atmosphere and reminded everyone of the band’s legendary roots.
Of course, “We Built This City” was the song everyone was waiting for. The crowd exploded.
Excellent performance by the band.
Kansas
A true American progressive rock legend, Kansas has spent more than five decades blending powerful rock, classical influences, and unforgettable songwriting into timeless anthems.
After a short pause, Kansas took the stage.
“Point of Know Return” was the opening song, and they immediately showed why their music has lasted for more than five decades.
Although there are no original members currently performing live, Phil Ehart and Richard Williams remain officially associated with the band and continue to be involved behind the scenes.
The current touring musicians absolutely nailed every song.
They played classics like “The Wall,” “What’s on My Mind,” “Down the Road,” and “Miracles Out of Nowhere,” along with newer material such as “Jets Overhead.”
Then came “Song for America.” Before the song, Ronnie Platt spoke emotionally about how much his country has changed. It gave the song an even deeper meaning.
He then shared the story behind “Dust in the Wind.” Kerry Livgren had created the famous fingerpicking pattern simply as a guitar exercise, until his wife Vicci encouraged him to turn it into a song.
One thing I really enjoyed was how few phones were in the air. Maybe it was because of the average age, but people seemed much more interested in actually watching the show than recording it.
And then there was Joe Deninzon and his violin.
His playing brought the performance to another level and added that unmistakable Kansas sound.
They closed with “Carry On Wayward Son.” The song began with its powerful a cappella opening, and then, suddenly, the iconic guitar riff kicked in, and everyone went crazy!
Deep Purple
Then came the moment I had been waiting for.
One of the most legendary British bands in rock history.
Deep Purple.
A band that helped pioneer modern hard rock and heavy metal and was once recognized by Guinness as the world’s loudest band.
Ian Paice, the legendary drummer, is the only remaining member of Deep Purple’s original 1968 lineup. He has been behind the drums throughout the band’s entire history and is the only musician to have played on every Deep Purple studio album.
Watching him perform was another reminder that I was witnessing a true piece of rock history.
They opened with one of my favourite songs of all time: “Highway Star,” from Machine Head. And there was Ian Gillan, at 80 years old, still delivering with incredible energy.
From the first notes, it felt like another trip through time.
Deep Purple moved between their classic material and newer songs, including “A Bit on the Side,” from their 2024 album =1. It was the first time I had ever heard the song, and it became my biggest discovery of the night. Hearing it live completely won me over. It has a powerful groove and instantly became one of my favourites.
The connection between Gillan and the audience was something special.
Then he introduced Simon McBride, the virtuoso guitarist from Northern Ireland who joined the band in 2022. McBride unleashed an incredible guitar solo of nearly ten minutes without stopping, giving Gillan a well-deserved break while proving he is more than worthy of carrying Deep Purple’s guitar legacy.
They also performed “Diablo,” from Deep Purple’s latest album, with Cathy Richardson and David Freiberg joining the band on vocals, a great moment that brought Jefferson Starship and Deep Purple together on the same stage.
And then came Don Airey.
A rock legend in his own right, Airey has played with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and Gary Moore. His keyboard solo was simply breathtaking, a journey through different styles and sounds that reminded everyone why he is considered one of rock’s greatest keyboard players.
They continued with classics including “Into the Fire,” “Lazy,” “When a Blind Man Cries,” “Perfect Strangers,” and “Space Truckin’.”
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: “Smoke on the Water.”
For anyone who has ever picked up a guitar, that riff is almost a rite of passage. It’s one of the very first iconic riffs countless guitarists learn, and for me, it remains the most distinctive guitar riff of all time.
The moment those unmistakable notes echoed through Place Bell, everyone went crazy.
For the encore, they returned with “Hush,” sending the crowd home singing.
Final Thoughts
Three legendary bands.
Three different chapters of classic rock history.
And one unforgettable night in Laval.
From Jefferson Starship to Kansas, and finally Deep Purple, it truly felt like travelling through decades of music.
We need music. Music brings people together, in peace.
Review – Andres Pedroza
Photos – Ryan Rumpel
