Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Glenn Hughes has delivered a scathing critique of the modern music business, declaring that “record labels are a waste of time” and that the industry is broken for young artists. This harsh assessment from the former Deep Purple icon comes as he prepares to release Chosen, his first new solo album in nine years—a record he says is the product of his decision to stop “playing the game” and focus solely on his art.
In a recent, candid interview with Poland’s Brudne Brzmienie, the man known as “The Voice of Rock” did not hold back his opinion on the current state of the music world.
“There is no such thing as the music industry anymore. It’s not the same at all,” Hughes stated. “The record labels are a waste of time. The people that work at record labels haven’t got a clue what they’re doing, as far as musically. They might think they are great at business, but I don’t think so. And it’s really difficult for new, young artists — really difficult.”
This disillusionment with the industry, however, has led to a renewed sense of personal and artistic freedom for the veteran musician. “Do I feel like I have to play the game again? No. No,” he said. “All I wanna still do is make music, play some shows and have fun. I don’t get carried away with anything else other than playing music today right now in this very moment.”
That singular focus has resulted in Chosen, his first solo album since 2016’s Resonate, set for release on September 5 via Frontiers Music Srl. Hughes describes the new record as a deeply personal and spiritual work.
“When writing Chosen, I went back to my life drawing board, writing about the human condition, love, hope, faith, and acceptance,” he explained. “My life is lived from within, in the present moment. It’s an album of soul food, and I’ve never been so grateful, right here, on planet earth. Music is the healer!”
The album’s release will be supported by “The Chosen Years Tour 2025,” a massive international run that will take Hughes across Europe, the UK, and South America this fall. After a nine-year solo hiatus, Glenn Hughes is returning with a project driven not by commercial pressure, but from a veteran artist’s pure desire to create and connect.
Glenn Hughes “The Chosen Years Tour” 2025 Dates:
Europe & UK:
- Sep. 02 – Zoetermeer, The Netherlands – De Boerderij
- Sep. 04 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
- Sep. 06 – Neuruppin, Germany – Kulturhaus Stadtgarten
- Sep. 08 – Krakow, Poland – Klub Studio
- Sep. 10 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja
- Sep. 12 – Dresden, Germany – Alter Schlachthof
- Sep. 14 – Lindau, Germany – Club Vaudeville
- Sep. 16 – Nuremberg, Germany – Hirsch
- Sep. 17 – Augsburg, Germany – Spectrum
- Sep. 19 – Maastricht, Netherlands – Muziekgieterij
- Sep. 20 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Doornroosje
- Sep. 22 – Mannheim, Germany – Capitol
- Sep. 24 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7
- Sep. 26 – Hamar, Norway – Festiviteten Bar & Scene
- Sep. 28 – Trondheim, Norway – Byscenen
- Sep. 30 – Hyvinkää, Finland – Hyvinkääsali
- Oct. 01 – Tampere, Finland – Tampere-Talo
- Oct. 03 – Helsinki, Finland – Kulttuuritalo
- Oct. 04 – Oulu, Finland – Madetojansali
- Oct. 14 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
- Oct. 15 – Portsmouth, UK – Guildhall
- Oct. 17 – Wolverhampton, UK – KK’s Steel Mill
- Oct. 18 – London, UK – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- Oct. 21 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz
- Oct. 22 – Newcastle, UK – Boiler Shop
- Oct. 24 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City
- Oct. 25 – Glasgow, UK – The Garage
South America:
- Nov. 11 – Porto Alegre, Brazil – Opinião
- Nov. 13 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Mister Rock
- Nov. 14 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Circo Voador
- Nov. 16 – São Paulo, Brazil – Vip Station
- Nov. 18 – Curitiba, Brazil – Tork n’ Roll
- Nov. 20 – Mar Del Plata, Argentina – Abbey Road
- Nov. 21 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Arena Sur
- Nov. 23 – Córdoba, Argentina – Club Paraguay
- Nov. 25 – Salta, Argentina – Teatro del Huerto
- Nov. 27 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Coliseo
- Nov. 29 – Bogota, Colombia – Teatro C.E.G
