WATCH: Ritchie Blackmore performs first shows with new Rainbow line-up

After immersing himself in the world of Renaissance folk music, Ritchie’s first foray into rock in almost two decades saw him delve into the back-catalogue of both his legendary bands Deep Purple and Rainbow.

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, consisting of Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, Blackmore's Night drummer David Keith & bassist Bob Nouveau with impressive new singer Ronnie Romero, played a total of 13 songs at both shows that consisted of six Rainbow and six Deep Purple classics alongside Rainbow’s defining cover of Russ Ballard’s ‘Since You Been Gone’.

The full setlist was as follows:
1. Highway Star
2. Spotlight Kid
3. Mistreated
4. Since You Been Gone
5. Man on the Silver Mountain
6. Catch the Rainbow
7. Difficult to Cure
8. Perfect Strangers
9. Child in Time
10. Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
11. Stargazer
12. Black Night
13. Smoke on the Water

The gigs at Festplatz am Viadukt in Bietigheim-Bissingen on Saturday and Freilichtbühne in Loreley, Germany on Friday both served as a tantalising taster for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’s sold-out show at Birmingham Genting Arena on Saturday night (25th June).

Speaking to Dutch magazine Aardschok recently, Ritchie refused to rule out playing further Rainbow shows in the future.

"If we enjoy ourselves and the audience gives us a positive vibe back, then I won't rule out the possibility of continuing,” Ritchie said.

"However, the second round of dates will probably take place in 2017. 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."

Check out footage of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow live in Germany here: