Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Jim K / Denver CO
Show started at 8:15 prompt with Clapton and Winwood taking the stage side by side. Tough Luck Blues is quite the gem with brilliant solos between Clapton and Stainton. Laboriel and Weeks are definitely the back bone driving the beat and tempo. Winwood is still simply amazing. His ability to drive beautiful music from the Hammond B3 and Strat is noting short of amazing. Winwood ‘what a real treat to be here and play for you high up in the air’…10 plus minute Vodoo Chile. EC was simply superb. Off at 10:30 simply awesome.

Review by David T / Castle Rock – Sedalia CO
After the show, we in our party unfortunately agreed that the band initially seemed to be "mailing it in". True, the crowd didn’t seem to notice, or care. Eventually as the songs kept coming fast and furious, the band found some inspiration and delivered the goods. Simply, the pace and the execution of terrific songs outshone the lack of passion. But this lineup would seem to be capable of SO MUCH MORE than rendering a dispassionate accounting … perfunctory while efficient. Seemed like the show was actually a pension effort for Steve Winwood, a bouquet from Eric Clapton. Was it that the songs were too familiar? Sigh. As always, EC’s guitar work, especially on Voodoo Chile, was astonishing as EC seemed to reach deep inside for inspiration. We’d still of course be willing to go way out of our way to see EC perform live, and we know that EC surrounds himself with sterling company, and the acoustics were great seeing as how they were playing in huge indoor arena. We kind of wished that EC was touring on his own, pushed like this last time in town by some Young Turk guitar-slingers (Trucks / Bramhall II / Cray). I dunno, the band seemed tired, that they were going through the motions on big warhorse songs. Why not do yourselves and the big bucks audience a favor and mix it up a little bit guys? And while you’re at it why not play some shows (like Dylan) that young people can afford to attend? Still, a memorable Show on Father’s Day – don’t get me wrong, we love EC!

Review by Rick Hum & Karen Ortiz / CO
We had the pleasure of being at the Denver Performance. What a great show!

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood looked so comfortable and natural together. They played and sang their hearts out and the audience felt it and responded. The show is very well staged and the large screens with close-up shots of the solos are a wonderful feature. The staging and light was simple and effective but did not distract from the brilliance of the playing.

It was wonderful to see Steve Winwood again. We saw him at the Botanic Gardens a couple of years ago and everyone still talks about that being the best show ever at the Gardens.

To see Winwood and Clapton together playing the music that they created and made great is an incredible opportunity. If you get a chance go!!! You will not be disappointed.

Review by Jill / Longmont CO
As a first time attender who has waited over 20 years to actually feel like we could justify the expense of Eric Clapton tickets, I have to say that the wait was definitely WORTH IT! Fantastic!! And the added bonus of seeing him with Steve Winwood was so great. I would have loved to hear more of their solo stuff done, but that would probably require what, like a 6 hour show?! Really, the main thing missing for me was the original version of Layla, although I love the unplugged version also. Overall, so excellent! If they are coming to your town and there are still tickets … go buy them and you’ll be glad you went!

Review by Dave McPhetrige / Arvada CO
Two legends and I got to see them! How do two guys in their 60s perform consistently and beautifully 3 or 4 nights a week and lots of travel? Over two hours of seamless, near-non-stop set. The volume was perfect, and I’d give the sound quality an 8 out of 10.

Winwood is a musical freak of nature. Top-shelf work on the organ, piano and (unappreciated by some, but not by Clapton) guitar. His voice still has the range and sound of decades ago. He and Clapton truly love music, even the standards they play again and again at every gig. To me, they have a good sense of what the audience wants – music! There was very little banter, only a little warm, pleasant and genuine chit-chat from Winwood. I appreciated that no one pitched his latest song or album.

I don’t know what they pay the drummer, Laboriel, but he earns it both in skill and showmanship. So do Stainton on keyboards and Weeks on bass. The backup singers, John and White, are a real key to the show, ensuring that the vocals are as strong as the guitars, drums and keyboards. Plus, their voices make for some knock-out crescendos, and their signature striding add to the stage spectacle.

To me, almost any live music is fun and enjoyable, whether at a bar, in the subway or at a concert venue. I admire performers for their love of music, and their desire and efforts to share it with others. But with Winwood and Clapton, the decades of talent, the seemingly limitless fountain of expression that moves and touches us, the audience, is simply staggering!

Review by Terri / Tampa FL
My daughter and I made the journey to Denver, with second row seats for my birthday, and we truly had the time of our lives. I’m not sure how anyone on that stage could be accused of "mailing it in". I caught the DC show the week before which was excellent, but the Denver experience truly touched my soul. Perhaps it was the crowd, the awesome seat – that I never used – or a perfect ending to a day spent in the majestic Rocky Mountains but it is now four days later and I am still flying a mile high – so it must have been the music that had my heart pounding like it never has before!

It is always a gift to catch EC live, but on this night I had the pleasure of seeing and feeling the music pour from the stage. Personally I do not expect or need for EC to address the audience, his music speaks for itself. EC and Abe were on fire, clearly pulling each note from the depths of their being. I was not able to see Steve Winwood, but I will never forget the sounds of Georgia On My Mind; and when he stepped out from behind the keys it was simply mesmerizing. Highlights for me were Pearly Queen, Tough Luck Blues, Split Decision, Voodoo Chile, Well Alright; Mr. Fantasy brought tears to my eyes. Chris Stainton performed the usual magic on keyboards.

The entire crowd in Denver stood from the moment the band took the stage, right up until Tough Luck Blues, and were back on their feet from Layla on, while many remained on their feet for the entire show. There seemed to be more "hard-core" EC fans in the house than there were in DC, where the crowd for the most part, only stood during Layla and Cocaine.

While I have enjoyed seeing Doyle Bramhall II and Nathan East over the years, the current line up seems to bring out the very best in EC, he played with a passion I have not witnessed in the past. An EC dream fulfilled!