News

Eric Clapton Rocks Rio!

Eric Clapton and His Band performed for the first time in a decade in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, 9 October. The nearly two-hour show at HSBC Arena was "flawless" according to Luiz Antonio Ryff of the city’s Ultimo Segundo news service. He even noted that the show’s encore, "Crossroads" "is for the blues as ‘Chega de Saudade’ is to bossa nova. Another reporter, Luis Bulcao from Terra, described Clapton as "a man of few words, who knows what to say." The gig was also notable as EC played the "New York Police Department Stratocaster" which was one of three guitars created by the Fender custom shop to commemorate the events and heros of 9/11 at the World Trade Center. 

One fan in attendance told Where’s Eric! that "Old Love" had the nigh’t first extended solos and was their personal favorite. They also noted that although many in the audience were unfamiliar with the standard, "When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful" (from EC’s most recent solo album, Clapton), they definitely enjoyed it. The newly-rearranged "Layla" was greeted with a standing ovation.

There was one change to the set list. "I Shot The Sheriff" replaced "Tearing Us Apart" which had been performed at the opening concert in Porto Allegre on 6 October.

Clapton returns to the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro tonight (10 October) and at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo on Wednesday (12 October)

Gary Clark, Jr. opened. He’ll also open for EC tonight and again in Sao Paulo. Following that, he’ll tote up some serious frequent flyer miles. Gary will be in the US for a gig at NYC’s Highline Ballroom on the 18th. He then heads to across the Atlantic for three dates – London’s Bush Hall on 26 October, the Prinzenbar in Hamburg on the 27th and the famed Paradiso in Amsterdam on the 28th. To learn more about Gary and his music, visit his official website, www.garyclarkjr.com.

9/11 Commemorative Fender Stratocasters – information and photos

Eric Clapton & His Band: Set List – 9 October 2011
HSBC Arena, Rio de Janeiro (BR)

01. Going Down Slow
02. Key To The Highway
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. Lay Down Sally
09. When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
10. Layla
11. Badge
12. Wonderful Tonight
13. Before You Accuse Me
14. Little Queen Of Spades
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (encore)

Band Lineup – 2011 South American Tour
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Tim Carmon – keyboards 
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals 
Sharon White – backing vocals

Were you at the gig in Rio de Janeiro? Or opening night in Sao Paulo? Send your review to Where’s Eric!
It doesn’t matter if it’s your 1st Eric Clapton concert or your 101st – everyone’s perspective is welcome! Thousands of EC’s fans from all over the world will visit whereseric.com daily to check out what songs are played and read what other fans have to say about the shows.

Send the following details to info@whereseric.com:
– Show date and venue name
– The complete set list 
– Your review
– Be sure to include your name and city so it can be featured with your review (no aliases or anonymous submissions, please. Upon request, we will use your first name and surname initial only.)
– Feel free to include information about EC’s guitars, amps and effects pedals
– You can also send your photos from the concert or of memorabilia. Things like tickets, handbills, programmes, posters or local concert advertising (the best photos may be even be published in Where’s Eric! Magazine). All photos should be at least 350K in file size; sending your original, unedited images is best. Scans of tickets, flyers etc. should be at 150 dpi.

The Where’s Eric! Team will try to get set lists and reviews posted as quickly as possible after a show. Due to space limitations, all reviews may not be used on whereseric.com, but we’ll do our best. When sending images, only submit photographs you have personally taken.

Please remember that the Where’s Eric! Team is made up of a very small number of fan-volunteers. It is impossible for the staff to be at all shows around the world. That’s why we ask our fellow fans to assist in building an accurate concert archive by submitting set lists and other details from each tour stop. Even if you don’t have the time to write a full-fledged review, feel free to participate in this project by sending the complete set list to info@whereseric.com. After all, WE! can’t do it without YOU!

All reviews and set lists submitted will be hosted permanently in the 2011 Tour Archive on this website.

Where’s Eric!
Find us on Facebook