The Voice of Redemption! Glenn Hughes’ ‘The Chosen Years’ Tour! A Deep Dive into the Purple Soul!

Written by Louise Phillips on October 23, 2025

The Voice of Redemption! Glenn Hughes’ ‘The Chosen Years’ Tour! A Deep Dive into the Purple Soul!

To witness Glenn Hughes on stage during “The Chosen Years” tour is to attend a masterclass in musical redemption. It is not merely a concert; it is a vital, living exhibition of rock history, focused intensely on the four-year period1973 to 1976 when Hughes, the fresh-faced funk bassist from Trapeze, fundamentally rewired the legendary sonic circuitry of Deep Purple. This tour is a triumphant declaration of ownership over that legacy, performed by a man who once nearly lost it all, but now delivers it with staggering power and grace.

The evening began with an injection of vibrant, guitar driven energy courtesy of the incredible support act, Sophie Lloyd. Arguably the most thrilling guitarist to emerge in a generation, Lloyd’s presence on the bill was a brilliant counterpoint to the headliner. Her technique is phenomenal, she effortlessly combines the acrobatic speed of modern metal with the soulful bends and melodic architecture of 80s rock legends, setting the fretboard aflame with a searing intensity that has to be seen to be believed! Lloyd’s set was a dynamic burst of technical proficiency and arena-ready riffs, elevated by the blistering, powerhouse vocals of Marissa Rodriguez. The dynamic with the Lloyd’s band is perhaps not a surprise as her band are a family affair, as her husband, Christopher Painter, provides the thunderous, drumming that provides the background for Lloyds spectacular sound. Rodriguez, fierce frontwoman with Marisa And The Moths, provided the perfect match to Lloyd’s scorching fretwork, bringing a gritty, commanding edge to tracks like “You Give Love a Bad Name”! The dynamic between the two is scorching to say the least and they sent the audience into a frenzy of excitement! Sophie played with a powerful intensity that blew the crowd away, firing off blistering instrumental originals and a few carefully chosen classic covers that immediately warmed up the audience eager for the deep, soulful immersion of the main event. She left the crowd buzzing, having provided a necessary shot of pure, unadulterated metallic energy.

When Glenn Hughes finally took the stage, the atmosphere became electrically charged, heavy with the weight of expectation and history. Hughes, the “Voice of Rock,” carries a story of immense musical genius intertwined with a profound, decades-long battle for sobriety. His presence now is that of a survivor, a warrior who returned from the brink, his gift miraculously intact, perhaps even deepened by the journey. He is a man still clearly at the top of his game, and the ultimate showman. Early in the set, he shared with the audience the astonishing fact that he had suffered a nasty fall, hurting his face while leaving the stage the previous night, which necessitated him wearing makeup. The revelation was a testament to his dedication, yet the audience hardly needed the explanation; his powerful, flawless performance transcended any physical setback.

Yet, for all his monumental rock achievements for all the status of “rock royalty” that surrounds the beating heart of Deep Purple there is only one Hughes! He is a man with a warmth and humility that makes him refreshingly human, not your average egotistical rock star. Perhaps one of the secrets of his longevity in the notoriously cut-throat music business is precisely this ability to genuinely connect with his audience. Between songs, his sincere gratitude and spiritual perspective forge an undeniable bond, making every person in the room feel part of his hard-won journey. When he announced to the audience, “I love you London”, it was clear that London loved him too!

The Setlist: A Career-Spanning Funk-Rock Odyssey

The performance was not confined only to the Deep Purple years, but rather acted as a comprehensive showcase of Hughes’s career, pulling from his supergroup days, solo records, and his power trio roots. The band, featuring the spectacular chemistry between guitarist Søren Andersen, Hughes’s musical co-pilot who channels the ghosts of rock past while pouring a fiery, soul-searing emotion into every note and with drummer Ash Sheehan, an absolute powerhouse who anchored the band’s soul-funk groove with relentless, driving energy, locked into every infamous riff with terrifying precision.

The night exploded with the heavy groove of “Soul Mover,” followed by the bluesy thump of the Hughes/Thrall classic “Muscle and Blood.” This early, potent pairing, which also included the emotional solo track “Voice in My Head,” quickly established the sheer vocal quality of the evening. Hughes delivered every line with gospel-level conviction, effortlessly moving between the aggressive lower register and the soaring, high-octave screams. He hit all the high notes not just flawlessly, but effortlessly. It is in these moments that you realize the “Voice of Rock” moniker is not legend, it’s a fact.

The set was deeply enriched by two colossal tracks from the Black Country Communion catalogue, the immense riff of “One Last Soul” and the later, stadium-sized anthem “Stay Free.” These songs provided monumental, hard-rocking highlights, delivered with the swagger and power only a seasoned rhythm section can muster.

A significant portion of the main set was dedicated to the roots of Hughes’s career in Trapeze, demonstrating the sophisticated funk-rock he was pioneering years before Deep Purple. Launching into “Way Back to the Bone” and the incredible deep cut “Medusa,” Hughes showcased his ability to shift between blistering bass runs and melodic vocal lines, keeping the complex grooves tight and swinging. The central track, the iconic “You Are the Music,” (originally a Trapeze staple, later revisited by Deep Purple) felt particularly visceral, with Hughes, the primary composer performing it with an obvious, enduring pride, his bass tone acting as much a lead instrument as Andersen’s guitar.

The set continued its emotional pilgrimage with powerful solo material like “Can’t Stop the Flood,” the reflective new track “Chosen,” and a surprising inclusion, the deeply funky Tony Iommi collaboration “Grace / Dopamine.” These diverse compositions flowed seamlessly, unified by the constant, Glenn Hughes’s unmistakable voice and undeniable bass groove.

Intimacy and Fire! An Encore That Will Never Be Forgotten!

The night’s climax was structured perfectly, moving from the most intimate moment to the ultimate explosion of rock theatre! For “Coast to Coast” Hughes shared stunning moment of vulnerability as returned alone to the stage for a rare, acoustic version of the Trapeze classic, performed solo on guitar. It was a beautiful, raw demonstration of his songwriting talent and breathtaking voice, stripped bare of the rock fanfare! It was real, it was beautiful and it let not a dry eye in the house! In contrast, for “Black Country”, the full band returned to the stage for the title track of his supergroup, a massive, blues-metal monolith that saw the band fire on all cylinders, providing a final dose of unrelenting unadulterated power and brilliance.

At this point the audience were moved beyond words, exhilarated and in a very happy place, but if they thought that was it, then they were wrong as it was time for the final track of the night, the dazzling, “Burn”! For this track and in truly spectacular style, Sophie Lloyd returned to the stage for the final, blistering closing track! This was more than just a guest appearance; it was a potent meeting of generations and a duelling of guitars. As Lloyd and Søren Andersen exchanged fiery solos, their distinct styles complementing each other, Hughes stood as the commanding patriarch, his voice soaring above the twin guitar assault. The dynamic between Hughes and Lloyd was intense, a profound respect from the younger virtuoso for the legend, and an evident delight from Hughes in sharing the stage with such a thrilling talent. Their combined energy on “Burn” felt less like a handoff and more like a high-voltage collaboration between rock’s storied past and its vibrant, electrified future. It symbolized the continuous loop of rock’s history, powerful and ever-evolving, passing from one generation to the next, with Hughes at its unwavering heart.

”The Chosen Years” is much more than a nostalgic nod. It is Glenn Hughes seizing his truth, acknowledging the tumultuous path that led him from the heady heights of California Jam and the excesses of the 70s to the grounded, spiritual man he is today. When he sings, “The music is the healer,” he is not delivering a cliché; he is telling his own story. For anyone who understands the power and drama inherent in this legacy, this tour is an essential, cathartic, and magnificent experience. It’s the voice of rock, stronger and more soulful than ever.

Words and photos by Louise Phillips

Photos of Glenn Hughes