Deep Purple Postpone Leipzig And Hamburg Shows After Ian Gillan Medical Emergency

Deep Purple have postponed two concerts in Germany at short notice following a medical emergency involving singer Ian Gillan.

The band were due to play the QI Arena in Leipzig tonight, Saturday 31 October, and the Sporthalle in Hamburg tomorrow evening, Sunday 1 November. Both shows have now been postponed.

In a statement issued today, the band confirmed that the decision follows a medical emergency involving Gillan, who is currently in hospital receiving care.

No further details about his condition have been given.

The affected dates are:

Saturday 31 October 2026 – Leipzig, QI Arena (postponed)
Sunday 1 November 2026 – Hamburg, Sporthalle (postponed)

The band and their team are now working to find suitable dates to reschedule both performances.

All tickets already purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced as soon as possible.

This means fans holding tickets for either show will be able to use them for the new Leipzig and Hamburg dates once they are confirmed.

In their statement, the band said: “It is with great disappointment that Deep Purple must announce the postponement of their scheduled performances tonight at the QI Arena in Leipzig and tomorrow evening at the Sporthalle in Hamburg.”

They added: “We sincerely apologise for the short notice and share the disappointment of our wonderful fans who were looking forward to these shows.”

The statement closed by thanking fans “for your understanding, patience and continued love and support during this difficult time”, and was signed “With our greatest love and respect, Deep Purple”.

The band have not said whether any other upcoming dates are affected.

Updates on the rescheduled shows are expected to be posted on the band’s official tour page.

Deep Purple formed in Hertford, England, in 1968 and are widely regarded as one of the founding bands of hard rock and heavy metal.

The original line-up featured guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboard player Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice, singer Rod Evans and bassist Nick Simper. That first incarnation scored an early hit in 1968 with their version of “Hush”.

Ian Gillan joined the group in 1969, alongside bassist Roger Glover, in the line-up that fans know as Mark II. That line-up went on to record some of the band’s best known albums, including Deep Purple In Rock in 1970, Fireball in 1971 and Machine Head in 1972.

The same line-up also reached number two on the UK singles chart in 1970 with “Black Night”, which became one of their signature songs.

Machine Head went on to top the UK albums chart, and it features “Smoke On The Water”, whose opening guitar riff remains one of the most recognisable in rock music.

The song tells the story of the fire that destroyed the casino at Montreux in Switzerland in December 1971, while the band were in the town to record the album.

The same album also includes “Highway Star”, which is still a regular part of the band’s live set.

The Mark II line-up also cemented its live reputation with Made In Japan, the double live album recorded during the band’s 1972 tour of Japan.

Gillan’s vocals on songs such as “Child In Time” helped to define the band’s sound in the early 1970s.

His wide vocal range and powerful delivery made him one of the most influential rock singers of his generation.

He left Deep Purple in 1973, and over the following years he led his own bands and also spent a period as the singer with Black Sabbath, recording the Born Again album with them in 1983.

Earlier in his career he had also sung the role of Jesus on the original 1970 concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Mark II line-up reunited in 1984 for the album Perfect Strangers.

Gillan departed again in 1989 before returning in 1992, and he has fronted the band ever since.

Drummer Ian Paice is the only member to have played in every line-up of Deep Purple since 1968.

Deep Purple were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, recognising a career that has spanned more than five decades and many millions of album sales around the world.

MNPR Magazine will share the rescheduled dates for Leipzig and Hamburg once they are announced.

For the latest updates, visit Deep Purple’s official website.