Eric Clapton Wraps Up Great SXSW Music Week In Austin

Austin’s week long music showcase, SXSW 2013, featuring thousands of artists from around the globe as well as countless local talent all performing every possible music genre known to mankind, finally came to an end on March 17. After all of the phenomenal talent displayed in our fine city during this crazy festival, which artist would be worthy enough to showcase as the finale with one last mega-show? Why, Eric Clapton, of course.

Eric Clapton, and a few of his friends, thrilled thousands of fans who packed the University of Texas’ Frank Erwin Center on Sunday evening, March 17, 2013. This was the third stop on Eric Clapton’s 2013 50th Anniversary Tour celebrating everything Clapton. The two hour set covered hits representing Clapton’s extensive career including selections from Cream and Derek and the Dominos, his solo hits from the seventies and nineties, as well as four numbers paying tribute to the great bluesman, Robert Johnson.

While Clapton was the star of the show, he shared some of the spotlight with his longtime pianist Chris Stainton, drummer Steve Jordan, and bassist Willie Weeks. Eric also featured his Texas-born supporting guitarist, Doyle Bramhall II on several occasions. Another Texas favorite son, Jimmie Vaughn, the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn and an incredible musician in his own right, joined Clapton on stage for a fiery cover of Albert Collin’s “Black Cat Bone.” Paul Carrack of Ace, and Squeeze, joined Clapton on covers of his own hits “Tempted” and “How Long.”

Even though Mr. Clapton is almost 70 years old, his voice is still in fine form and his ability to perform mind-blowing riffs and solos, as well as slower blues pieces, is testament to his still great talent. Although it has been reported that Mr. Clapton plans to retire from touring, this performance showed that he isn’t quite done.

Set list:

1. Hello Old Friend

2. My Father's Eyes

3. Tell the Truth (Derek and the Dominos song)

4. Gotta Get Over

5. Black Cat Bone (Albert Collins cover) (with Jimmie Vaughan)

6. Got to Get Better in a Little While (Derek and the Dominos song)

7. Tempted (Squeeze cover) (Paul Carrack on lead vocals)

8. I Shot the Sheriff (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover)

9. Driftin' Blues (Johnny Moore's Three Blazers cover) (with Jimmie Vaughan)

10. Lay Down Sally

11. Tears in Heaven

12. Wonderful Tonight

13. Layla (Derek and the Dominos song)

14. How Long (Ace cover) (Paul Carrack on lead vocals)

15. Stones in My Passway (Robert Johnson cover)

16. Love in Vain (Robert Johnson cover)

17. Crossroads (Robert Johnson cover)

18. Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover)

19. Cocaine (J.J. Cale cover)

 Encore:

20. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream song)

21. High Time We Went (Joe Cocker cover) (Paul Carrack on lead vocals)