Ronnie Romero optimistic Rainbow will play more shows in 2017

Ritchie Blackmore’s new Rainbow collective performed two shows at Germany’s Monsters of Rock Festival and a sold-out gig at Birmingham Genting Arena in June in what were their only shows of the year.

Despite fans’ desperate pleas for more extensive tour dates, Ritchie has neither confirmed nor denied whether there are gigs on the horizon.

Now, in an interview with Finland’s The Magic of Metal, Ronnie Romero says he’s optimistic they’ll hit the road once again.

“I really hope that we can do some more shows, maybe next year,” Ronnie said. “I have a really great feeling about the band and about this relationship with Ritchie.

“He's really happy with the results, he's really happy with the audience (reaction). And maybe we can make some more shows next year."

Before the shows took place, Ritchie told Dutch magazine Aardshock: "If we enjoy ourselves and the audience gives us a positive vibe back, then I won't rule out the possibility of continuing.

"But the crucial factor will be the chemistry between the musicians and the audience reaction. These shows will be recorded on video, so that we can release it later on. But my heart will always belong to renaissance music."

Elsewhere in his Magic of Metal interview, Ronnie said he was blown away by the shows: "I feel like I’m in a dream. It's hard to assimilate all that has happened in the last few weeks.

“Not just living this situation with Ritchie and the other band mates in Rainbow, (but also the chance to) meet the fans so close to the stage and backstage and all the people going to the show.

“And then, all these musicians that I love and that were at the shows and they talked to me and told me that I did a great job. But it's a dream come true."

Heaping praise on his band mate, Ronnie added: "Ritchie is Ritchie. It's amazing to see how he can still play guitar at 71 years old. It's amazing. He's a legend.

“Ritchie is a really nice guy inside the band. He made me feel very comfortable and very good. And all the band members, we have like a little family, you know. Ritchie made me feel very good, not just in the rehearsals, but also on stage during the two weeks of touring."

You can watch footage of every track from Birmingham’s Genting Arena below: