News
Eric Clapton Rocks Madison Square Garden On Night One
8 Sep 17
Set Lists For Both Nights Added! Eric Clapton returned to Madison Square Garden with his limited 2017 tour, A Celebration of 50 Years of Music. As NorthJersey.com music columnist Jay Lustig noted following EC’s March show at the venue, “…his guitar playing remains a marvel – fast and fluid, seemingly effortless even at its most intricate. The giant video screens frequently showed his hands, close up, and it was absolutely mesmerizing.” It was true too on Thursday, September 7 when Eric turned in a spectacular set. Night Two, on Friday, September 8, was more of the same.
Where’s Eric! caught up with several fans outside MSG following the Thursday show to ask their opinion on the performance. Mike G, who traveled from Indiana especially for the show, said, The set list is pretty much unchanged but the addition of White Room was cool. Eric’s playing on it was off the charts. I know a lot of people don’t like Layla unplugged, but my opinion is that they’re not listening. Eric’s acoustic playing is nothing short of amazing. Actually the current live version is far better than the unplugged show. Anyone have a ticket to sell me for Friday? Patty T, from South Jersey said, I was at the 3rd Albert Hall show in May. Tonight’s concert was on par with that concert. The only difference was the feeling from the audience. I’ve never felt emotion like I did in London, but it may have been a once in a lifetime experience. Richard S, visiting New York from Milwaukee said, This was my first time at Madison Square Garden but I’ve been seeing Clapton for 30 years. Great tone. White Room, Sunshine and Sheriff made it well worth the ticket and the travel. Whatever health troubles Eric may have had are obviously behind him. Or were they a lot of fake news and blown out of proportion by the media. All I know is Eric’s got a lot of music left in him. Local fan Barry F simply said, My kingdom for his tone tonight. Off the charts! Lastly, Joey G from Brooklyn said, I’ve seen EC about 20 times since 1998. Tonight’s concert is in my Top 5 Clapton shows since Crossroads 2. Liked it better than March. But what was up with him playing an Epiphone on the encore with Gary and Jimmie? I’ll be back at the Garden tomorrow night.
At the end of each performance, Eric switched from his signrature model Stratocaster to an Epiphone Gary Clark Jr. “Blak & Blu” Casino, gifted to him by Gary.
Following Friday’s concert at Madison Square Garden, EC’s final shows of 2017 take place next week in Los Angeles at The Forum on September 13, 15, 16 an 18. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.com.
FANS … WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send your reviews and photos to info@whereseric.com, see below for Thursday’s set list and band line up. You can check out set lists and reviews from previous Clapton concerts here and view the Eric Clapton Photo Gallery here.
Jimmie Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr. open at all performances. Music starts promptly at 7:30 PM.
Eric Clapton & His Band – September 7, 2017
01. Somebody Knocking
02. Key To The Highway
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. I Shot The Sheriff
05. Driftin’
06. Lay Down Sally
07. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
08. Layla
09. Tears In Heaven
10. White Room
11. Wonderful Tonight
12. Crossroads
13. Little Queen Of Spades
14. Cocaine
15. Sunshine Of Your Love
16. Before You Accuse Me – with Jimmie Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr.
Eric Clapton & His Band – September 8, 2017
01. Somebody Knocking
02. Key To The Highway
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. I Shot The Sheriff
05. Driftin’
06. Lay Down Sally
07. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
08. Layla
09. Tears In Heaven
10. White Room
11. Wonderful Tonight
12. Crossroads
13. Little Queen Of Spades
14. Cocaine
15. Sunshine Of Your Love
16. Before You Accuse Me – with Jimmie Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr.
Band Lineup
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – piano, keyboards
Walt Richmond – organ, keyboards
Nathan East – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals
Support
Jimmie Vaughan
Gary Clark Jr.