Before Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage at the Zénith, the evening kicked off with a high-energy opening set by Simon McBride, best known today as Deep Purple’s current guitarist. McBride paid subtle tribute to that legacy with a few well-placed nods to the band’s catalog, while also showcasing his own impressive range—mixing original material with tasteful covers of Free, The Cure, and Bryan Adams. His staggering command of the guitar was matched by a strong, expressive voice, and his performance was met with genuine enthusiasm from the crowd—no small feat when warming up for a legacy act with a loyal, and let’s say, more seasoned fanbase. An excellent set from a world-class musician.
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