Concert News

Classic rockers Deep Purple Smoke on the Water tour to hit Fort Worth

Deep Purple will play at Dickies Arena on August 19.

Photo by Jim Rakete

Classic British rock band Deep Purple will bring their =1 More Time Tour to Fort Worth, playin at Dickies Arena on Monday, August 19.

Joined by fellow classic rockers Yes, Deep Purple will travel to 19 cities in the U.S. over the course of one month, starting in Hollywood, Florida on August 14.

Aside from Fort Worth, the only other stop in Texas will be in The Woodlands on August 17.

The U.S. tour follows one through Europe that runs from June through mid-August.

The tour will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their most iconic hit, "Smoke On The Water," which was technically in 2023, but who's counting?

Starting with Shades of Deep Purple, the band has released 22 albums over their 56-year career, most recently the covers album Turning to Crime in 2021. They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide in their career.

Remarkably, Deep Purple has been led by the same three people almost from the very start: Lead vocalist Ian Gillan, original drummer Ian Paice, and bassist Roger Glover.

Tickets for the U.S. leg of the tour will go on sale beginning with a presale and VIP packages on Wednesday, April 10 at 10 am. The general on-sale begins on Friday, April 12 at 10 am at Ticketmaster.com.

U.S. dates are as follows:

8-14 Hollywood, Florida
8-15 Tampa
8-17 The Woodlands
8-18 Durant, Oklahoma
8-19 Fort Worth
8-21 Cincinnati
8-22 Sterling Heights, Michigan
8-23 Tinley Park, Illinois
8-25 Toronto
8-27 Quebec
8-28 Gilford NH
8-30 Camden NJ
8-31 Holmdel, NJ
9-1 Wantagh, NY
9-3 Bridgeport CT
9-4 Saratoga Springs, NY
9-6 Bethel, NY
9-7 Bristow Virginia
9-8 Scranton, Pennsylvania

concerts music

Drone News

Watch top drone company break a record at North Richland Hills show

Sky Elements Drones

Sky Elements Drones holiday show.

Dallas-Fort Worth's most famous drone name is aiming to break a world record: Sky Elements Drone Shows, the Coppell-based company known for its ground-breaking light shows rendered via drones, will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for “Longest animation performed by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”.

In cooperation with the City of North Richland Hills, the company will fly its annual flagship Christmas drone show, this year featuring 2,500 drones orchestrated to create holiday images and themes such as Santa Clauses and "Merry Christmas."

The current record to beat is 26:26 minutes in the air and was set by a Chinese company in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Sky Elements is no stranger to Guinness World Records; they are already an 11-time Guiness World Record holder. Mere days ago, they set a new Guinness World Record title for "largest aerial display of a gingerbread village made out of drones" — a festive display that was part of a holiday drone show in Mansfield on November 27.

They are nothing if not dedicated. In September, they were a finalist on national TV show America’s Got Talent, and came in at third place.

They've produced drone shows for the MLB, NFL, NCAA sports, film premieres, the State Fair of Texas, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. They are also on the forefront of an admirable transition away from fireworks being deployed during holidays and events, to be replaced by drones. Fireworks are harmful to wildlife as well as people with sensory issues, and terrifying for pets, who frequently bolt.

The big show will take place on December 20 at 7 pm, at Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex at 9200 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills. The lot opens at 5 pm, and the flight time is 7 pm.

Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, will be on-site to confirm the record.

Spectators are invited to arrive in their cars to witness this incredible drone show from the comfort of their vehicles. Guests will be parked on a first-come, first-served basis.

The audience can tune their radio stations to 88.9 FM and listen along as they tell a story in the sky. Many liken the event to a drive-in movie experience, and spectators are encouraged to bring snacks.

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