2020 to Current: Eric Clapton Band History and Lineups
2020 to Current: Eric Clapton Band History and Lineups
On October 2, 2019 and right on the heels of his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival, Eric announced a month long 15 show tour across 12 European Union cities and 3 shows in Russia that would begin May 29, 2020 in Prague and continue through Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Finland before concluding in Moscow on June 30, 2020. It was to be Eric’s most ambitious tour since 2013 as the intervening years saw a significant scaling back of performances as he approached and turned 70 and spent more time with his family.
On March 24, 2020, the tour was postponed until the Spring of 2021 due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic as the health and safety of the band, crew, venue staff and fans were paramount. Due to ongoing COVID restrictions to mass gatherings in Europe, the tour was postponed again on March 1, 2021 with all shows moved to May and June 2022.
As the world moved back to a more normal footing in late spring and summer of 2021, additional dates were added to the 2022 itinerary in Europe and Eric undertook a short 8-city tour of the US in September. For the first time, he toured with two drummers – Steve Gadd and Sonny Emory. The experimental lineup did not last and in 2022, Eric reverted to one drummer in the band.
In early March 2022, Eric cancelled the three concerts scheduled for St. Petersburg and Moscow due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The postponed 2020 tour finally got underway on May 7 and 8 with two concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall. A few days after those shows, Eric tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to move some of the May European concerts to October. Eric was able to start the tour in earnest on May 29 in Berlin. The tour ended on 17 June in Tampere, Finland.
On May 16, 2022, Eric announced a 5-city U.S. Tour for September to include two nights in Chicago and two nights in New York City.
2021 TOURING BAND
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (keyboards / vocals), Nathan East (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sonny Emory (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Katie Kissoon (backing vocals)
2022 TOURING BAND
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (keyboards / vocals), Nathan East (bass), Sonny Emory (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Katie Kissoon (backing vocals)
2023 TOURING BAND – Tokyo
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (keyboards / vocals), Nathan East (bass), Sonny Emory (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Katie Kissoon (backing vocals)
2023 TOURING BAND – North America
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (keyboards / vocals), Nathan East (bass), Sonny Emory (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Katie Kissoon (backing vocals)
2023 TOURING BAND – Crossroads Guitar Festival
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Nathan East (bass), Sonny Emory (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Katie Kissoon (backing vocals)