News
65,000 Attend Clapton Concert In Hyde Park
9 Jul 18
– Were you there? Send a review to info@whereseric.com
– Marcy Levy and Santana join EC on stage
– Four 80s albums re-released on vinyl to commemorate the event
Following two concerts in Germany at the start of the week, Eric returned home to England to headline British Summer Time Hyde Park on 8 July. 65,000 people attended the central London concert and were still in a celebratory mood following England’s quarterfinal win over Sweden on Saturday. Eric acknowledged the Three Lions at the top of his set, telling the crowd “It’s coming home.”
Eric drew the largest crowd to date for British Summer Time 2018. Day 3 of the festival also featured performances by Santana, Steve Winwood, Zucchero, Gary Clark Jr, Chas & Dave, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, The Wandering Hearts, Ryan Kinder, The Americans, Eric Paslay and Kelly McGrath. EC’s band was Doyle Bramhall II, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Paul Carrack, Sonny Emory, Sharon White and Sharlotte Gibson.
Eric and the band turned in a strong performance and there was great interplay between Eric and Doyle throughout. Marcy Levy (Marcella Detroit)- co-writer of both “Lay Down Sally” and “The Core” and – joined Eric as a surprise guest for both songs to the delight of the audience. Marcy was part of his band from 1974-1978 and again in 1984-1985.
Eric kept one more suprise up his sleeve inviting old friend Carlos Santana to sit in on the encore, “High Time We Went.”
One long-time fan, John-Paul, summed it up this way to Where’s Eric!, “Just left Eric, Santana & Winwood and suffice to say it was truly epic seeing these masters of their craft at the Hyde Park BST Festival. Truly amazing. Eric’s opening words from the Great Oak stage were “its coming home”. I guess not only a football reference but perhaps, also his return to Hyde Park…Winwood and his organ really got it going with so many hits from his extensive career. Santana whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his Latino blues groves which paved the for Eric, who on this occasion welcomed Santana back on stage for “High Time We We Went”, after an extensive set of hits and blues classics. Eric you are still and always will be a God. What we need now is Crossroads UK festival.”
To commemorate Eric’s British Summer Time appearance, Warner Music re-released Money And Cigarettes (1983), Behind The Sun (1985), August (1986) and Journeyman (1989) on vinyl on 29 June in the U.K. The four albums will be re-issued in the U.S. in September to coincide with EC’s New York concerts at Madison Square Garden on 6 / 7 October. They are the only concerts remaining on his 2018 concert schedule. Limited tickets are available from Ticketmaster.
WERE YOU AT THE SHOW IN HYDE PARK? TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE! Send reviews to info@whereseric.com. All reviews are posted in the Tour Archive along with the show set list. Did you take a few snaps with your smartphone? Send those along and we’ll add them to the 2018 photo gallery.
Band Lineup
Eric Clapton – guitar / vocals
Nathan East – bass
Sonny Emory – drums
Doyle Bramhall – guitar
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Paul Carrack – organ / keyboards
Sharon White – vocals
Sharlotte Gibson – vocals
Special Guests During Eric’s Set
Marcy Levy
Santana
Set List: 8 July 2018 / Hyde Park, London, England
01. Somebody’s Knockin’
02. Key To The Highway
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Got To Get Better In A Little While
05. Driftin‘
06. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
07. Layla
08. Tears In Heaven
09. Lay Down Sally – with Marcy Levy
10. The Core – with Marcy Levy
11. Wonderful Tonight
12. Crossroads
13. LIttle Queen Of Spades
14. Cocaine
15. High Time We Went – with Carlos Santana
Review: Hyde Park
By Tony Edser / Where’s Eric! Editor
There was a wonderful atmosphere in Hyde Park on Sunday, amplified by the two things guaranteed to put the home audience in good spirits – bright sunshine and success (so far) on the soccer field for the national team in the World Cup tournament, the latter alluded to by Eric as he walked on stage by saying “It’s coming home”.
The organisers added to the good feelings by creating something of a carnival atmosphere too – colourful, themed food and drink outlets, a fairground carousel, interactive stages and helpful, friendly staff in abundance.
The wonderful lineup of artists complemented each other well and delivered songs with passion despite the heat and the sun aimed straight in their faces. The sound overall was good for a big outdoor event, although Steve Winwood perhaps suffered more than most with the volume drifting in and out on occasions, as occasional breezes picked up.
There had been much online discussion about Eric’s recent set lists, most of which has been fairly constructive, but, after two recent shows in Germany, expectations of major changes to his base formula were low, although the probability of guests joining him here at some point were high.
As such, Somebody’s Knocking laboured a little to these ears, as Eric adjusted to the surroundings, but it was clear from the off that Doyle Bramhall would respectfully nudge his boss by delivering his own bluesy, soulful solos, which prompted some fine guitar duelling from the pair at the conclusion of Got to get Better.
After the acoustic set, Eric surprised everyone by launching into the chugging Lay Down Sally riff, then calling out and inviting up “Marcy Levy, the lady that wrote this song”. This was a real treat and Ms Levy was in fine voice, staying on stage for an extended (and quite magnificent) version of The Core. “We haven’t performed together since 1985 – it was such a thrill thank you so much” she offered and the crowd acknowledged this notable reunion with gusto.
Despite their familiarity, I really enjoyed Little Queen of Spades and Cocaine for the first time in a while, both with excellent solo contributions from the band and spirited playing from Eric, including funky wah wah on the latter.
Thankfully, the ”all-star back on stage for an impromptu jam” didn’t materialize, but the amazing Carlos Santana, who earlier had delivered an extraordinary virtuoso set, did return for High Time.
So, Eric looked in good shape physically, he played well, tinkered nicely with some of the arrangements, surprised us with the guests and left everyone happy.
Maybe it is coming home!!