Blackmore's Blood

Blackmore's Blood play The Fire Station on Saturday 21 November, a night dedicated to the rock years of Ritchie Blackmore. The set draws from his time with Deep Purple and Rainbow, the two bands that defined his career and his approach to the guitar.

This particular show is a double anniversary. The band is celebrating ten years since they first started out in 2016, and it's also 50 years since the release of Rainbow Rising, the 1976 album that saw Rainbow move into a heavier, more focused sound. Both milestones land in the same year, so the 2026 dates are billed as something a bit more than their usual run.

Blackmore's Blood have built their name as a tribute for people who know the material inside out. They're known for an authentic sound and a flamboyant stage presence, and they describe their shows as delivering the full spectacle of Blackmore's rock years. If you've spent any time with those records, you'll know what that means: the heavy riffs, the extended solos, and the sort of theatricality that went with the whole thing.

The gig is at The Fire Station on High Street West in Sunderland, SR1 3HA. Doors open at 19:00 and the music starts at 19:30. Tickets start from £26, and under-14s have to be accompanied by an adult.