How could it be? The driving force of the band, guitar wizard Ritchie Blackmore, left many years ago and in his wake has been left nothing more than a cabaret band.
In fact, this is really singer Ian Gillan's cabaret band for there was no material from the splendid David Coverdale era.
We got a few old classics like Highway Star but interspersed with this was some dreadful pop-medley dross.
The big top was virtually full but I have seen more animation and excitement at the local library.
People did actually come alive during the encore, which included Black Night, but by then it was all over bar the shouting.
The experience was poor all round. Drizzly weather did not help but queuing in the rain for toilets is not my idea of fun these days.
To relieve the tedium I attempted to get a drink at the bar only to be told it was closed. It was only 10pm and this is supposed to be a 24 hour city?
Not a good showcase for a city destined to be the Capital of Culture.
