Ian Gillan sets 2027 UK speaking tour

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan will bring his first public speaking tour to the UK in spring 2027, with tickets going on sale June 26 at 10 a.m. The Talking Gib'rish Tour will feature stories from his six-decade career, from Hounslow to Deep Purple and beyond.

Why it matters: - Ian Gillan is taking a new format on the road: live speaking events built around stories from one of rock’s longest-running careers. - The tour gives Deep Purple fans a rare chance to hear Gillan’s personal account of the band’s history, his early years, and the moments that shaped his voice and career.

What happened: - Gillan will tour the UK in spring 2027 with the Talking Gib'rish Tour. - The run begins in April 2027 and continues through May. - Tickets go on sale Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. - Tickets will be available through BookingsDirect.com and at venues. - More updates will be posted on the Gillan website.

The details: - The events are billed as Gillan’s first public speaking engagements. - The tour is designed to let audiences hear personal stories from his life and music career in his own words. - Gillan says the shows will cover his early days in Hounslow, the latest Deep Purple world tour, and other stories from more than 65 years on the road. - Gillan’s career began with The Javelins in 1962. - He joined Episode Six with Roger Glover in 1965. - Touring with Dusty Springfield and performing across Europe and the Middle East helped shape his musicianship and vocal style. - Gillan joined Deep Purple in 1969. - Deep Purple formed in 1968 and became pioneers of hard rock. - The band’s 1972 album Machine Head includes Smoke on the Water. - Gillan sang Jesus Christ in the original London studio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar for MCA Records in 1970. - He later worked with Gillan, Garth Rockett and the Moonshiners, and Repo Depo. - Gillan has recorded more than 79 studio albums and countless live recordings, including Made in Japan. - Deep Purple’s latest album, Splat, is set for release on July 3, 2026. - Gillan has received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy Hall of Fame award and the Ivor Novello International Award. - His global record sales have exceeded 200 million copies. - Picture credit on the poster goes to Simon Fowler. - Fran Suermondt of Rabbit Attack PR is the media contact, and the release lists rabbitattackpr.com and 07895184395 for information and images.

Between the lines: - Gillan’s move into speaking events extends his public profile beyond performance and leans into legacy storytelling. - The announcement is timed ahead of a new Deep Purple album release, keeping Gillan and the band in the spotlight in 2026 and 2027. - The focus on first-person stories suggests the tour is aimed at fans who want context, not just nostalgia.

What’s next: - Additional venue information and further announcements are expected through gillan.com. - Fans can buy tickets when sales open on June 26 at 10 a.m. - The spring 2027 dates will follow once the UK tour schedule is fully rolled out.

The bottom line: - Ian Gillan is turning six decades of rock history into a live speaking tour, and the first tickets go on sale this week.