Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Announces UK Tour 2017

Louise Swift 7 December 2016 Press Release

RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW
UK TOUR – JUNE 2017
plus support to be announced

RAINBOW IN ROCK
Playing The Classic Rock Anthems Of
RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE

HEADLINING THE 2017 STONE FREE FESTIVAL
Saturday 17th June at The O2, London

Following the triumphant sold-out show at the Birmingham Genting Arena earlier this year, Kennedy Street and Kilimanjaro are pleased to announce Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow will be returning to tour the UK in June 2017. The very special opening night will see them headlining the second annual Stone Free Festival at The O2, London, which will be Blackmore’s first London show since 1995 with further shows in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham.

JUNE 2017
Sat 17th June – London The O2 – Stone Free Festival
Thurs 22nd June – Manchester Arena
Sun 25th June – Glasgow The SSE Hydro
Wed 28th June – Birmingham Genting Arena

Playing classics from both Rainbow and Deep Purple’s anthemic catalogue, the legendary guitarist needs no introduction and is universally acknowledged as a singular and visionary talent, one who has helped shape and define the landscape of rock music and the evolution of the guitar at its core.  With a background immersed in classical and r’n’b he was a founding member and driving force of Deep Purple, going on to form Rainbow in 1973, who sold in excess of 28 million albums.

The Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow tour promises to be an unmissable event, not only for Deep Purple and Rainbow fans, but also those who want to soak up the electrifying genius of the legendary guitarist live and to revel in the unforgettable songs he crafted with two of music’s most celebrated bands.  Blackmore will also be joined by former stalwart Meister Bob on bass, Blackmore Nights’ drummer David Keith, Stratovarius’s keyboardist Jens Johansson and singer, Ronnie Romero from Santiago, Chile who Blackmore describes as, “a cross between Ronnie James Dio meets Freddie Mercury.”

Starting the UK tour at The O2 in London, promoters Kilimanjaro & The O2 are delighted to be able to announce Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow will be the headline act for the 2017 Stone Free Festival.

Following the hugely successful and highly acclaimed inaugural Stone Free Festival in June this year – which featured electrifying performances from the likes of Alice Cooper, Rick Wakeman, The Darkness, Marillion and many more – the festival returns with even more stages next year, utilising the full array of facilities at The O2 including the Brooklyn Bowl. It will again feature a full line-up of artists and events such as the Speakeasy Lounge and the vinyl fair, alongside special acoustic performances, cinema screenings and exclusive after parties.

Further details regarding the line-up of Stone Free Festival 2017 will be revealed in due course.

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!
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