Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Hiroyuki Mizukawa
The final day of EC Japan tour was over on Feb. 28, 2014.  I think that it was an excellent show and really really impressed.  In fact I felt that it must be the best of the best since I had joined his concert at the first time on Oct. 31, 1974, which is the first day of his first visit to Japan 40 years ago.

Today god came down and into EC several times, especially his play during I Shot the Sheriff, Tears in Heaven and Little Queen Of Spades as high light.  It was something like celestial light and fantastic.

As many of his fan know he usually doesn’t talk mostly without “good evening” or “thank you”, he however told some about 40th anniversary tour and also said that he likes to play in Japan and here is the best place in the world to play, during he was playing Layla.  It was pretty intense to hear these comments.

Set list was very interesting, because I could feel that EC chosen songs according to his favorite.  Songs like Honest Man by Lowell Fulson or High Time We Went by Joe Cocker was rather something freshness and How Long by Paul Carrack was very nice. Also there were many of blues taste more than usual.  Actually half of the set list was blues and it was the great EC blues itself.  I think that no need to say anything about EC blues to WE members.

Since I informed WE about EC Japan tour 2014 on Oct. 8, last year, I had waited until today and it was over. I really enjoyed very much the concerts.  To take this opportunity I would express my sincere thanks to dear EC.  Thank you Eric and I believe that you must come back to Japan again.

Review by Mitchell Verdonk / Perth, Australia
What a fantastic performance! Eric certainly didn’t hold back! I was very worried after walking out of the lack luster Yokohama performance that Eric had lost it, but he proved tonight that not only does he still have it, he will reign supreme! The set list remained the same since Yokohama and osaka, but Eric put more power and soul into his playing than the previous nights.

After traveling all the way from Australia I wasn’t sure what tonight would hold, but in true Slowhand spirit, the crowd was treated to a blistering performance,
Highlights were Pretending, Hoochie Coochie Man and Little Queen Of Spades but the nights greatest song was I Shot The Sheriff. Eric played with such power reminding me of the Crossroads Guitar Festival (2004) rendition.

It’s interesting to note that EC wasn’t using his Signature Fender Twin-olux but instead a Fender Bassman (4×10), when I first heard Eric’s tone in Yokohama it sounded like the audio boys hadn’t miked it properly, and because of visual obscurities I couldn’t tell what the amp was. But after tonight (being dead centre) I could see the amp was a 4×10 cab not the usually 2×12 of his Tweed Twin.

I don’t know why Eric chose an amp with such headroom? It delivered a brighter more piercing tone, and didn’t do much more than get louder when he rolled on the mid-boost.(Although it must be said it did deliver and amazing warm tone when the neck pickup was selected…too bad it only featured on 3 songs.)
While the sound would have been better with his warmer, dare I say gustier and crunchier Twin the performance was still spectacular! Eric even stopped playing mid way through Layla to talk to the audience and thank them for 40 years of support.

If there was one show that should have been filmed from the Japan 2014 tour it’s this one! If you have the opportunity to see Eric Clapton in concert this year, do it! Cause it may be your last!

Review by James A.
I went to the final 2014 Japanese show last night in Tokyo.  Same setlist as the previous nights (i.e. with Pretending first and I Shot The Sheriff included).  I was sitting on the first floor at the side of the stage but the sound was awful (probably the worst in 30+ years of going to concerts) except in the quieter numbers.  As in recent tours, EC no longer introduces the band so only Chris Stainton and Paul Carrack were mentioned.  Despite the dreadful sound (maybe it was better in front of the stage), the playing was good and some of the arrangements were different from previous years which made things interesting.  EC made a comment during Layla and that he has been coming to Japan for 40 years and it is his favourite place to play.  Other than that and the occasional Thank You at the end of songs, no comments even though it was the last show of the tour (no bows at the end either).  I have seen him about 30 times over the years and this was the most disappointing although that could be because of the sound where I was sitting.

Review by Tsuzuki Hiroyuki
The last night at the Budoan was also the last night of 2014 Japan tour. It seems that the Budokan is one of his favorite halls. While playing “Layla” Eric said, “The best place in the world”. Everybody, here tonight, feels happy hearing Eric say such a thing. According to the words printed in this tour’s program – “I may not be able to come back again” – it would be eternally the last show in Japan. It is sad to believe his statement. I thank you with all my heart for so many great shows that you executed to perfection. I want sincerely you return to Japan again.