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Eric Clapton 2011 Tour News: Hong Kong and Seoul

20 Feb 11

[News video included from Hong Kong!] Eric Clapton’s 2011 Tour stopped at Hong Kong’s Asia World Arena on Friday, 18 February. Earlier dates on the tour had fans raving and Hong Kong was no exception. One concert-goer told Where’s Eric!, "’Badge’ (which I have heard live a number of times before) stood out for me as being a little extra special, I really enjoyed ‘River Runs Deep’ and for some reason, though my preference is not for the acoustic version, I can’t get the acoustic version of ‘Layla’ out of my head." Another said, "’Key to the Highway’ was upbeat and lively. I thought EC’s voice sounded great throughout and has even improved with age. I can only second other reviewers’ comments from previous nights about ‘Old Love’ – the concert rendition was amazing. The crowd loved ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ with the backup singers adding to the mood. EC was seated for the next six songs. ‘Driftin” was well received with the occasional audience member whooping their appreciation. The current version of ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out’ was novel and lively. I also really enjoyed the three songs EC played off the new album: ‘River Runs Deep’, ‘Rocking Chair’ and ‘When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful’." Still another reported to Where’s Eric! that, "His solo in ‘Old Love’ was mind-blowing (I watched clips of the song in Abu Dhabi on YouTube and that was fantabulous, but what he played in HK definitely tops that). The crowd was evidently thrilled when hits were played like ‘Badge’, ‘Sheriff’, ‘Nobody Knows You’, not to mention ‘Layla’, and was totally mesmerised during songs from the Clapton album."

After the Hong Kong gig, band and crew travelled 1300 miles and traded spring-like weather for snow and cold to Seoul, where EC and his band wrapped up their Far East Tour on 20 February. Performing to a sold out crowd at the Olympic Gymnasium #1, EC kicked off the show with "Key To The Highway". Early reports indicate that the crowd was wild and loved every minute of the show. The only change to the set list was the encore number. "Further On Up The Road" was dropped in favor of "Crossroads." If you were there, why not send your review and / or photos (original high-res files preferred) to Where’s Eric! at info@whereseric.com?

Next up on EC’s tour schedule is Vancouver, Canada on 25 February, followed by eight dates in America. Click here for Eric Clapton’s complete 2011 Tour Schedule.

HONG KONG SET LIST – 18 FEBRUARY 2011
01. Key To The Highway
02. Going Down Slow
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Old Love
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Driftin’
07. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
08. River Runs Deep
09. Rocking Chair
10. Same Old Blues (song by JJ Cale)
11. When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
12. Layla
13. Badge
14. Wonderful Tonight
15. Before You Accuse Me
16. Little Queen Of Spades
17. Cocaine
18. Further On Up The Road

SEOUL SET LIST – 20 FEBRUARY 2011
01. Key To The Highway
02. Going Down Slow
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Old Love
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Driftin’
07. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
08. River Runs Deep
09. Rocking Chair
10. Same Old Blues (song by JJ Cale)
11. When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
12. Layla
13. Badge
14. Wonderful Tonight
15. Before You Accuse Me
16. Little Queen Of Spades
17. Cocaine
18. Crossroads

The day prior to the Hong Kong concert (17 February 2011), Eric visited a social service agency for children. Part of the proceeds of the concert were donated to help local children participate in a group-language training program. The children sang two songs for Eric, "You Are My Sunshine" and the Mandarin song, "I’m Really Good." They presented him with a picture. Eric spent about 20 minutes visiting and interacting with the children.

Click here for the Eric Clapton 2011 Tour Archive for set lists and fan reviews from all shows so far.

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