A live set from legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s performance at the iconic Pinkpop Festival has just been uploaded to the festival’s official YouTube channel—and it’s pure gold. Fans of classic rock, folk, and blues are in for a treat, as the video captures a stunning display of musicianship, nostalgia, and pure live energy from one of rock’s most enigmatic and influential figures.
The set opens with a flurry of guitar brilliance that immediately reminds viewers why Blackmore remains such a revered figure in rock history. Known for his groundbreaking work with Deep Purple and Rainbow, Blackmore has in recent decades embraced a more eclectic musical path, leaning into Renaissance folk, medieval tones, and rootsy blues. At Pinkpop, he effortlessly bridged the gap between his electric past and his acoustic present.
One of the biggest highlights of the performance was the inclusion of the blues classic “Spoonful.” Blackmore’s interpretation was both gritty and expansive, trading fiery solos for a more deliberate, simmering tension. The audience was clearly transfixed, many swaying with eyes closed, soaking in the bluesy atmosphere.
He also delivered a haunting rendition of “Little Maggie,” the Appalachian folk standard that has been a staple in his recent live sets. With its banjo-inflected rhythm and eerie vocal harmonies, the song transported the crowd into a different time and place—something Blackmore does with uncanny ease.
In a nod to his more recent solo work, Blackmore included “Tin Pan Valley” and “Funny in My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die),” both songs that originally appeared in Robert Plant’s solo repertoire. Their presence in Blackmore’s set might surprise some, but the execution was flawless. Stripped down and reinterpreted through Blackmore’s dark, folksy lens, the tracks took on a new life. While Robert Plant has often played coy about the possibility of a full-on reunion with Blackmore, it’s clear through performances like this that the musical connection between them—whether direct or indirect—still resonates deeply.
Visually, the set was intimate and stripped back, in keeping with Blackmore’s more recent live aesthetic. Dressed in Renaissance-style attire and framed by traditional folk instruments, he and his band created an atmosphere that felt both mystical and grounded. And yet, when he picked up the electric guitar, that old fire returned. There were flashes of Deep Purple’s raw energy—without needing to dive into the old catalog directly.
This Pinkpop set is more than just a live performance—it’s a masterclass in musical evolution. Ritchie Blackmore continues to surprise, challenge, and enchant audiences. Whether he’s bending strings in a searing blues solo or coaxing eerie melodies from an acoustic lute, the result is always authentic, always passionate, and unmistakably Blackmore.
If you’re a fan of classic rock, blues, folk, or just great musicianship, this is a performance you won’t want to miss. Head to Pinkpop Festival’s official YouTube channel and experience it for yourself.
