Jakarta. British hard rock band Deep Purple on Friday night performed at Edutorium UMS in Surakarta, Central Java, with avid rock fan President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in attendance.

Jokowi showed up to the concert with First Lady Iriana Widodo — both casually dressed. Jokowi did not miss out on anything and was present starting from the opening act.

Deep Purple that night performed “Highway Star”, “Picture of Home”, and “No Need to Shout”, among others. The group also played “Uncommon Man”, which they dedicated to the late keyboardist Jon Lord. The concert also marked Deep Purple’s first reunion with Indonesian legendary rock band God Bless in 48 years.

“Mr. Jokowi, Mr. Jokowi!” Deep Purple concert-goers cheered when they saw Jokowi.

Jokowi was not the only high-profile guest that night. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, along with his wife and son, also came to the concert. Ganjar, however, preferred to watch the concert standing.

“I feel like I was back in high school again, listening to old songs sung by Deep Purple,” Ganjar said. 

The Deep Purple concert in Surakarta sold 9,000 tickets. 

Not long ago, Jokowi urged faster concert permits to spur Indonesia’s household consumption. The government has set a goal to increase household consumption to 5.4 percent in 2023.

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