Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Kevin Woods
I’ve been waiting for this show since we booked our tickets last September. When I read that Eric had to cancel a few shows in America due to ill health, I did not know what situation would be. The weather in London was hot … great buzz … went to RAH for lunch hoping to see Eric doing sound check. No such luck. But lunch was super.

Crowds were forming at the doors around 6 and they opened at 6.45. A great atmosphere inside; people buying t-shirts and programs.

Doyle walked on stage with his band and played a great set from his new album. He’s a great guitarist. However, the sound was not as kind for him which is normal for support bands.

After a brief intermission, Eric walked on with the band to thunderous applause. Eric was chuffed. Great to see him looking healthy and fit.

Somebody Knocking was the first song. Eric played a black Fender and had great tone. The first song from the Layla album was Key To The Highway with great playing from Eric. I think a second guitar player here would make this song fuller but still super playing from Eric.

Hoochie Coochie Man was next and Eric really shines on this one; great drumming fron Steve and bass from Nathan was super … really keeps the beat.

I Shot The Sheriff was up next. The crowd went mad. Lovely backing vocals from Sharon and Sharlotte.

The customary chair was brought out for Eric’s acoustic set. I found this very intimate and personal and felt privileged to be in Eric’s “front room” with my wife, Bernie, listening to a legend. Thank you Eric for sharing your talent with us all these years.

Drifting Blues was the first song of the acousitic set. I first heard this on “EC Was Here” back in 1976. Great playing from Eric. You can hear the strings vibrate with his magic touch; his voice sounded superb on this. Next was a reggae version of Bell Bottom Blues. I really love this song from the Layla album. However, this version for me was not up to his usual standard. It felt out of place but again this is my feel on the version as other people loved it. Tears in Heaven was also played reggae-style. It is a personal song for Eric and the people love it. Eric sang with passion on this and you could feel the sentiment. Layla was next and what can you say? It was beautiful. Still, I prefer the electric version with all the passion.

Eric’s electric guitar was brought back out for a Cream number (Badge) and the bass guitar does the magic intro … this is Eric at his best … great guitar playing. Wonderful Tonight had the people singing and shining their lights … a beautiful song for Patti. Crossroads was brilliant. I would love Eric to play as he once did on the Cream live album but only few can reach these heights. Here’s hoping.

Doyle was invited back on stage to play Little Queen of Spades with Eric and there was great playing from both. Cocaine was the highlight of the night; the crowd went mad.

Eric returned for the encore with the Joe Cocker song High Time We Went … cracker. It was all over. Where did the time go? The band were super and the girls were brilliant with backing vocals. Paul, Nathan, Steve and Chris are super musicians and do gel with Eric. Thanks a million guys for one of the best concerts I have heard in a while. It was a privilege to be there. Slowhand is back … he was never gone … see you next year somewhere over the rainbow. God Bless.

Review by Judi Vilkauskas
I just wanted to say what an amazing experience it was to see Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday. He was looking so well, happy and relaxed. I was so pleased to see him looking so good after he’d had bronchitis.

I’ve been a fan of Eric Clapton since I first heard Layla 30 years ago. It has been my dream to see him play live and that dream has now come true. Eric Clapton did not, and never has in my eyes, disappoint. I didn’t want the evening to end. I loved the acoustic set. When he played Tears in heaven, I had tears in my eyes. I know he wrote it for his son, Connor, but it’s been comforting me after losing my lovely German Shepherd Dog, Lukey, in April.

Everything on the evening was perfect. The sound was perfectly balanced, we had good seats (I went with my 25 year old son) and to see and hear Eric Clapton perform was just indescribable. I want to say a huge thank you to Eric Clapton and his band members for an unforgettable evening. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making my dream come true. God bless you.

Review by Kenneth Duffin
Monday night was a good show, with a lovely version of Bell Bottom Blues on acoustic guitar. However there were a couple of errors, ie a pause in Little Queen Of Spades when Doyle’s solo ended but nobody seemed to know what to do next.

Wednesday was also good, however Eric seemed a bit tired, especially towards the end of the night. Eric also seemed to decide at the last moment not to play Bell Bottom Blues.

Thursday, though, was a magnificent show, Everybody had more energy and the Solo’s in Sheriff, Badge, Crossroads & Little Queen were brilliant. The crowd was much more responsive as well, with singing during Nobody Knows You and Wonderful Tonight. Then to crown off a brilliant show Eric played one of the best versions of Sunshine Of Your Love I’ve seen for a long time.

Eric also made a short announcement regarding it appearing that he had spent his life growing up at the RAH.

I hope this will not be he last, but if so he went out with a bang!