News

16 May 2009: Eric Clapton Kicks Off 11-Night Residency At London’s Royal Albert Hall

17 May 09

Returning to the venue he once likened to "playing in my front room," Eric Clapton kicked off his 11-night residency at the 138-year old Royal Albert Hall. He and his band performed 16 songs in just under two hours. Starting with "Going Down Slow," the set included some less familiar songs from his recorded body of work like "Anything For Your Love" and chestnuts like "Lay Down Sally," "Badge" and "Cocaine." "Layla" has been "unplugged" once again and is one of the highlights of the "sit down set". A few fans checked in via their blackberries right after the show. One said "’Little Queen of Spades was breathtaking." Another reported that it was great to hear EC perform Dylan’s "Not Dark Yet" and Andy Fairweather Low’s wah-wah solo in "Cocaine" deserved mention.

Eric’s band for this tour includes long-time keyboardist Chris Stainton, Willie Weeks on bass, the lovely and talented Sharon White and Michelle John on backing vocals, and Tim Carmon, also on keyboards. Returning to Eric’s band are Steve Gadd on drums and Andy Fairweather-Low on guitar.

Eric’s next gig at the Albert Hall happens Sunday 17 May. The Arc Angels open.

Set List for 16 May 2009 / Royal Albert Hall

01. Going Down Slow
02. Anything For Your Love
03. Key To The Highway
04. Old Love
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Layla – acoustic
07. Lay Down Sally
08. Not Dark Yet
09. Anytime For You
10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
11. Badge
12. Little Queen of Spades
13. Before You Accuse Me
14. Wonderful Tonight
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (encore)

Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Andy Fairweather Low – guitar
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Tim Carmon – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals

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If you’re heading to one or more of EC’s solo gigs this spring, why not send the details to Where’s Eric!? All of the information becomes part of the permanent tour archive. All set lists, reviews and photos should be emailed to info@whereseric.com.

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– Show date and venue name
– The complete set list (this information is essential to our ongoing archival work)
– Your review
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