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Clapton Concert Details: Budokan Hall 13 December 2003

13 Dec 03

Eric Clapton wrapped up his tour of Japan on Sunday, 13 December 2003 at Tokyo’s Budokan Hall. The tour started on 15 November in Hiroshima. There was a bit of surprise for the audience as EC started the show with "Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out" rather than "When You Got A Good Friend" (which was relegated to the second song of the set).

The complete set list for the final night of the tour was:
01. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
02. When You Got A Good Friend
03. Crossroads
04. I Shot The Sheriff
05. Bell Bottom Blues
06. Reconsider Baby
07. Can’t Find My Way Home
08. White Room
09. I Want A Little Girl
10. Got My Mojo Working
11. Hoochie Coochie Man
12. Change The World
13. Bright Lights, Big City
14. Kind Hearted Woman
15. Badge
16. Holy Mother
17. Lay Down Sally
18. Wonderful Tonight
19. Cocaine
20. Layla
21. Sunshine Of Your Love (encore)
22. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (encore)

Band Line Up:
Eric Clapton – Vocals, Guitar
Nathan East – Bass
Steve Gadd – Drums
Andy Fairweather Low – Guitar
Chris Stainton – Keyboards

Concert Review By Tsuzuki Hiroyuki

Eric waved a farewell to the crowds for several seconds longer than usual at final Budokan show in December 2001. Then I felt that he decided not to come to Japan at least four or five years. I didn’t believe the announcement of his retirement but presumed that next Budokan show would not take place until 2005 or 2006. For two years, the new studio album has not been released. Surprisingly the schedule of Japan tour has been announced five months ago this year. I felt greatly relieved at the news. The 8th day at Budokan was the final show of this Japan tour. "Nobody knows you" was added to the usual set list. Eric played each tune passionately. Every guitar solo was not long but edged sharply. Especially on "Layla, his guitar performance was full of fire. Before playing "Over the rainbow", Eric said, "This is the last night and I wanna say how happy we are to be with you here. What a great time we have in your country . We love Japan, you know and we love the Budokan." And when the band has finished the show, he said, "God bless you, happy Christmas. See you again soon. Thank you, good night." Thank you, Eric. The people of Tokyo are very pleased with these 8 glorious days. I hope that we will meet here in 2005.