News

Clapton Rocks Stockholm!

9 Jun 11

Eric Clapton’s short jaunt around Scandinavia continued on 8 June with a concert at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe. Support was local act, Big Bang. One long-time fan told Where’s Eric!, "Highlights beside great singing, were brilliant guitar solos on Old Love, Before You Accuse Me, Little Queen Of Spades and the Crossroads solo, which was reminiscent of the Wheels of Fire version! My son and daughter saw EC live for their first time and were absolutely thrilled." Where’s Eric’s very-own TE (The Editor) was also at the concert. Here’s his report:

A beautiful balmy evening in Stockholm at the golf ball shaped, ice hockey arena that is Globen. It may look like Epcot but Disney it aint!

Eric’s first visit here since 2006 has prompted a sizeable, good natured and appreciative crowd to witness the closing stages of the European Tour 2011.

Having a financial background, local warm up act, Big Bang, were not for this writer’s ears and it was a relief to hear the familiar strains of Key to the Highway lift the spirits following a cheery "good evening!" from our host.

There was a slightly more raspy tone from Eric’s Strat tonight which is particularly pleasing on the frenetic closing stanza of Going Down Slow but the sound demons of this venue kick in with a horrible echo off the upper rear seats during Hoochie Coochie Man.

Crisp rimshots from Mr Gadd and a loud cheer from the knowledgeable crowd see in Old Love. Now I’ve heard Eric solo on this song many many times but tonight was top drawer, original and inventive – lots of low end octaves and high end twiddly bits to satisfy any old rocker.

Never been a big fan of Tearing Us Apart, less so the one guitar version, despite fantastic rhythm from Messrs Gadd and Weeks.

The acoustic section is much shortened from the recently completed London concerts, but Tim Carmon now adds some subtle Hammomd to Driftin’, Nobody Knows You is slowed right down and a mellow Layla closes this section.

Badge, Wonderful Tonight and Before You Accuse Me lead into "Little Queen of Stainton" – well it is his showpiece despite being the vehicle for all band solos – followed by Cocaine which draws the show to a close (the audience completely missing their cue on the final shout of Cocaine). An encore of Crossroads wrapped it up.

10.15 finish, still broad daylight outside. Love Scandinavia! Next stop Norway and the Norwegian Wood Festival.

Were you at the Stockholm gig? Tell Where’s Eric! about it! Send your review to info@whereseric.com. All fan reviews will become a permanent part of the 2011 Tour Archive on whereseric.com.

CLICK HERE for set lists and fan reviews for all 2011 Eric Clapton Concerts.

Eric Clapton & His Band
8 June 2011 – Ericsson Globe, Stockholm
01. Key To The Highway
02. Going Down Slow
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Old Love
05. Tearing Us Apart
06. Driftin’
07. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
08. Same Old Blues (JJ Cale)
09. Layla
10. Badge
11. Wonderful Tonight
12. Before You Accuse Me
13. Little Queen Of Spades
14. Cocaine
15. Crossroads