Gary Clark, Jr. and Jimmie Vaughan served as his opening acts. As he took the stage, Clapton was greeted by a standing ovation from the New York audience. “Good evening,” he said, and opened his set with “Somebody’s Knocking,” where red lights dimmed from the stage.
It was followed by “Key to the Highway,” where green lights graced the stage, and “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” where everybody was singing along. Equally impressive were his acoustic versions of “Driftin’ Blues” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” both of which he played with his eyes closed, as he captured the emotions in the song.
His most popular songs of the night included “Wonderful Tonight,” “Layla,” as well as his melancholic, Grammy-winning ballad “Tears in Heaven.” Clapton closed his eclectic set with “Little Queen of Spades” and “Cocaine.”
For his encore, Clapton sang the Cream classic “Sunshine of Your Love,” as well as “Before You Accuse Me,” which was a neat jam that featured opening acts Gary Clark Jr. and Jimmie Vaughan.
The Verdict
Overall, Eric Clapton gave Madison Square Garden another noteworthy evening of music. The crowd was rewarding him with standing ovations after each song, since they were aware that they were in the presence of a living legend. He sure knows how to play the blues. Clapton’s show earned 4.5 out of 5 stars.
To learn more about Eric Clapton and his touring schedule, check out his official website.
