Deep Purple and Kansas Kick Off 2026 Summer Tour in Raleigh
On a warm Tuesday night in Raleigh, rock legends Deep Purple and Kansas officially launched their much-anticipated 2026 summer tour, supported by the iconic Jefferson Starship. The event took place at the Red Hat Amphitheater, setting the stage for a night of powerful performances and nostalgic hits.
Set Lists and Highlights
Fans can find full set lists and amateur videos from the show online, showcasing the electrifying atmosphere of the concert.
Deep Purple’s Dynamic Performance
With an impressive 58-year recording career and 24 albums to their name, Deep Purple dedicated nearly a third of their set to tracks from their new album, SPLAT!. Alongside new material, the band thrilled the audience with classic hits such as “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” and the set-closing “Hush.” Their set list included:
- 1. “Highway Star” (from 1972’s Machine Head)
- 2. “A Bit on the Side” (from 2024’s =1)
- 3. “Into the Fire” (from 1970’s Deep Purple in Rock)
- 4. Guitar Solo
- 5. “Arrogant Boy” (from 2026’s SPLAT!)
- 6. “Lazy Sod” (from 2024’s =1)
- 7. “Lazy” (from 1972’s Machine Head)
- 8. “When a Blind Man Cries” (from 1972’s Machine Head)
- 9. “Diablo” (from 2026’s SPLAT!)
- 10. Keyboard Solo
- 11. “Scriblin’ Gib’rish” (from 2026’s SPLAT!)
- 12. “Space Truckin'” (from 1972’s Machine Head)
- 13. “Smoke on the Water” (from 1972’s Machine Head)
- 14. “Guinnesis” (from 2026’s SPLAT!)
- 15. “Hush” (from 1968’s Shades of Deep Purple)
Kansas’ Nostalgic Set
Kansas followed with a nine-song set that was largely focused on their most celebrated albums, Leftoverture (1976) and Point of Know Return (1977). The highlight of their performance included the emotional “Dust in the Wind,” featuring founding guitarist Rich Williams. Their set list was as follows:
- 1. “Point of Know Return” (from 1977’s Point of Know Return)
- 2. “Paradox” (from 1977’s Point of Know Return)
- 3. “Song for America” (from 1975’s Song for America)
- 4. “Dust in the Wind” (from 1977’s Point of Know Return)
- 5. “The Wall” (from 1976’s Leftoverture)
- 6. “Hold On” (from 1980’s Audio-Visions)
- 7. “Down the Road” (from 1975’s Song for America)
- 8. “Miracles Out of Nowhere” (from 1976’s Leftoverture)
- 9. “Carry On Wayward Son” (from 1976’s Leftoverture)
Jefferson Starship’s Opening Act
Opening the night, Jefferson Starship delivered a vibrant nine-song set that included a new track titled “Jet Pack.” Their performance featured a seamless transition from the classic psychedelic hit “White Rabbit” to the 1986 anthem “We Built This City.” Their set list included:
- 1. “Find Your Way Back” (from 1981’s Modern Times)
- 2. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (from Starship’s 1987 LP No Protection)
- 3. “White Rabbit” (from Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 LP Surrealistic Pillow)
- 4. “We Built This City” (from Starship’s 1986 LP Knee Deep in the Hoopla)
- 5. “Jet Pack”
- 6. “Jane” (from 1979’s Freedom at Point Zero)
- 7. “Somebody to Love” (from Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 LP Surrealistic Pillow)
Upcoming Tour Dates
Following their Raleigh performance, Deep Purple and Kansas will head to Clearwater, Florida, for a show at the Baycare Sound on August 8. The tour will conclude on September 12 in Sparks, Nevada. Below is the complete itinerary:
- 08/08 Clearwater, FL – The Baycare Sound
- 08/09 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Casino
- 08/12 Wantagh, NY – Jones Beach Theater
- 08/13 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center *
- 08/15 Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre *
- 08/17 Laval, QC – Bell Place *
- 08/18 Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre *
- 08/19 Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre *
- 08/21 Detroit, MI – Pine Knob
- 08/22 Salamanca, NY – Seneca Allegany Casino
- 08/24 Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheatre
- 08/25 Highland Park, IL – Ravinia
- 08/27 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
- 08/29 Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre *
- 08/31 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome *
- 09/02 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre *
- 09/04 Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley *
- 09/05 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre *
- 09/06 Highland, CA – Yaamava Theatre
- 09/08 Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amp *
- 09/10 Las Vegas, NV – Planet Hollywood
- 09/11 Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Amphitheater
- 09/12 Sparks, NV – Nugget Event Center
* with Jefferson Starship
Conclusion
The Raleigh concert was a testament to the enduring legacy of rock music, with Deep Purple, Kansas, and Jefferson Starship delivering memorable performances that resonated with fans old and new. As the tour progresses, audiences can anticipate more incredible shows filled with classic rock anthems and fresh sounds.
FAQs
When does the tour conclude?
The tour is scheduled to conclude on September 12, 2026, in Sparks, Nevada.
Will Jefferson Starship perform at all tour stops?
Jefferson Starship will appear at approximately half of the tour’s stops over the next five weeks.
