Who Is On Tour With Eric Clapton?
Eric Clapton Tickets is touring across the United States and Canada on a North American tour in 2023. The legendary guitarist has assembled a crack team of musicians to back him on what could very well be his last large-scale concert trek. Having performed in live concerts for more than 50 years, Clapton has suggested this might be his final extensive tour. Thus, fans are turning up in flocks to shows to have one last glance at Slowhand in his natural habitat—the stage.
To accompany Clapton on the guitar, there is Doyle Bramhall II, who has been part of the band for quite some time now. Bramhall has been touring with Clapton since 2006 and the two guitarists have had instant chemistry every time they have hit the stage. Bramhall’s clean singing is a great match for Clapton’s bluesy guitar solos. Nathan East of bass guitar, who has accompanied Clapton since the early 1980s on his subsequent tours,. He is regarded as one of the greatest session bassist of all time. His strong and complex bass parts enrich the band’s arrangement in the best way possible.
Acclaimed session drummer Steve Gadd adds his unique swing and tasteful fills to Clapton’s timeless blues material. Gadd is regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, with over 50 years of experience touring with such legends as Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and Steely Dan. For many music lovers, witnessing Gadd secure their pocket with Nathan East is enough reason to warrant the price of the ticket.
At the keyboards is Chris Stainton, who has toured and recorded with Clapton since the seventies. Clapton does not over-play with the guitar; Stainton adds piano and Hammond organ to support the music. Rhythm guitar: Neil Morrison Backing vocalists: Sharon White and Katie Kissoon. Both are highly qualified British session singers who have been backing Clapton on tours since late 1980s. This adds to their backing vocals harmonizing, significantly broadening the concert sound.
The 2023 tour will find Clapton performing a lot of blues numbers that he has incorporated in his music and even his famous radio hits. Songs such as Layla, Cocaine and Crossroads, as well as Wonderful Tonight, are usually played. However, the show is not limited to the popular hits and offers some not-very-frequent Clapton’s songs and a number of typical blues songs. During one of the stops, the band performed such songs as Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters, Five Long Years by Eddie Boyd, Travelin Alone by John Lee Hooker and Anyway the Wind Blows by Clapton JJ Cale. Every performer includes an acoustic set, which enables the audience to witness Clapton’s masterful guitar work during the middle of the performance.
Reviews show that Clapton is in top form even at the age of 78, as he continues to play with surgical precision and passion. The solos are tight and raw, demonstrating that Slowhand has still has plenty of performances left in him. And as many guitar lovers know, Clapton had never played better with a backup band as the musicians in Clapton’s current touring band. Both together explain just why Eric Clapton should be named in the list of the best guitarists, no matter which era of music history.
There is such synergy among the musicians that it seems like they can read each other’s minds. Of them all, Bramhall in particular is able to shadow Clapton or his improvisations well, providing either sophisticated rhythmic accompaniment or responding with stinging leads. Nathan East’s bass brings the crowd's energy up, and Steve Gadd’s minimalistic drumming secures the band’s groove. Chris Stainton’s virtuosic keyboard work artfully paints with each track but never overshadows.
Altogether, this current batch of musicians is capable of navigating Clapton’s vast discography with all its finesse and expertise. Electric blues, acoustic blues, reggae, classic rock, and soft rock genres are also covered. And each musician engages and reacts to each other in a dynamic way as they perfect the elements that form the basis of Clapton’s timeless tunes. Seeing six absolute virtuosos join forces is what makes this current tour all the more special, whether you’ve been a Clapton fan since day one or simply a casual listener.
When this tour is over in 2023, there could well be no more EC full-scale tour of major arenas in North America. Not being able to be there to watch the show puts one in a position to not be able to experience Clapton at his best in a live environment. But with his current group, Clapton is still slashing about in a manner that could not be improved upon since the late 1960’s. Do not miss the chance to see one of the best rock guitarists accompanied by talented musicians and performing one of the greatest pop and blues hits with the same energy and passion.
