Ian Gillan and Glenn Hughes remain central figures in Deep Purple's ongoing activities, with Hughes recovering from surgery and Gillan reflecting on the band's legacy, touring plans, and the significance of their latest album. Recent performances in Vienna and Sofia highlight the band's continued live presence, while reunion moments with Ritchie Blackmore underscore enduring camaraderie. Gillan also discusses his upcoming spoken-word tour and the band's resistance to genre labels, emphasizing authenticity in their music.