Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Sebastien DSP Delos
The Lanxess arena is presented as the largest concert hall in Germany with a capacity of 18,000 seats. I can confirm that the room was full! Surprisingly, Cologne was “invaded” by many people who speak French with many from France and Belgium making the trip. Eric could have come to a show in Paris. His fans have been waiting the “rendez-vous”!

Andy Fairweather Low, the tour support, began at 8pm for 45mn show. The audience was very receptive and he warmed up the roo for the arrival of the master. At 9pm, great clamor in the room, Eric arrives on stage (jeans, red polo).

The opening track of the 50 years tour is a symbol – Hello, Old Friend. Eric, thank you for this choice as many have never heard in concert. This song is a “thank you” and “hello” for all fans. Since the time we fans follow him, we are indeed old friends.

The first highlight of the evening was “Tell the truth” – The solo Eric gave dispelled any concerns about his health. Eric was in the great form …

“Gotta Get Over” … a new album song. A title too formatted for me (too Doyle !!), but in concert is relentless riff.

“Got to get better in a little while” I was stuck in the chair … An intro with the only use of the wah-wah. Absolutely incredible. The tempo is much faster than during the tour with Derek Trucks. The public standing at the end. Truly a magical moment. For me, the 2nd best time of the evening. The first came shortly after.

The beginning of “I shot the Sheriff” was greeted with thunderous applause … but that was only the start. At the end of the song, Eric gave us one of “those solos” that he has the secret to. There, really, Clapton is god … chills have traveled the Arena … for me, truly the most incredible moment of the evening.

Then, came the “sit down” part of the evening. I especially noted the return to the Layla “unplugged” version. Personally, I prefer the electric version. But for the tour in 2013, the fact that all the musicians do a solo gave this classic another dimension. Great idea that playing “wonderful tonight” and “lay down sally” as acoustic numbers.

Standing up again (all the pain is gone from his back injury!), Eric starts the second electric set with  “Blues power”, a song I was really looking forward to. I had never heard in concert (despite the 30 or 40 that I’ve seen); indeed, it is a title which is not bad at all. A crazy energy.

EC, the blues … and it’s on “Little Queen of spades” he could really show us 100%. Eric as we can make the blues alone on stage, just him and his guitar. All he knows is accompanied by some greats musicians. Little queen was an exchange of all solo as fabulous as each other. That of Stainton was really impressive.

The end (before the encore), Eric gave us the classic Cocaine. During the concert he manages to inject energy in most titles. But for years I find Cocaine monotonous. Eric snaps into his famous “autopilot”. It’s played well, but a lack of real life. Solo unimaginative. Compared to “Sheriff” or “get better” cocaine was boring. Finally comes the “ENCORE”! Another classic with “Sunshine of your love.” what a difference with “Cocaine” !!!! The final solo was so powerful that I thought he would miss the end of the song and not stop. A power play and a continued strong momentum despite 50 years …

I would simply say: Clapton is god