I'll be there Monday night w/Mama. Just as a heads up I received an email stating that the doors will open at 6:30 and show will start PROMPTLY at 7:30pm. I believe it was to be an 8:00pm start w/the 8:15 casual NYC delay for the fans.

I'm going Monday. Thanks for the timing heads up.

I am also going tomorrow. Lots of tickets listed on Craigslist tonight for less than face value.

Reading posts from people there tonight.
Jimmy Vaughan came on at 7:30 off at 8:00.
Gary Clark jr came on at 8:15 off at 9:00.
EC came on at 9:23.

[Edited on 3/20/2017 by plqmule]

[Edited on 3/20/2017 by plqmule]

Eric Clapton
Madison Square Garden
NYC NY
3/19/17

Key To The Highway
Badge
Hoochie Coochie Man
I Shot the Ssheriff
Drifting Blues (acoustic)
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (acoustic)
Tears In Heaven (acoustic)
Layla (acoustic)
Somebody Knocking
Wonderful Tonight
Crossroads
Little Queen Of Spades
Cocaine
Sunshine Of Your Love
Before You Accuse Me *

* w/Gary Clark Jr. & Jimmie Vaughn

Thanks for posting the set list.
Hopefully he will change it up a bit tonight

Went Sunday night. Eric finished at exactly 11pm. Was very surprised that he did not acknowledge or pay tribute to Chuck Berry. Come to think of it, Eric didn't even introduce his band.......

Also surprised to see Ticketmaster has deeply discounted seats for tonight. On Sunday, floor sections A,B C were all $500 plus fees. For tonight, you can get 25 rows back on the floor for $195 plus fees ........still pricey, but a huge reduction from what your neighbors paid .......

[Edited on 3/20/2017 by tumbleweed]

I've seen Clapton three times, and beyond "Thank You" or the occasional "Chris Stainton" (or other musician) after a solo he really never addresses the audience at all.

The set list isn't greatly different for these shows than what he has played in recent years. I'd say the show tonight might have one or two different songs, but not much different.

Any reviews? I respect EC, but have been bored by him at shows (not the ABB sit-in though!) so I passed on expensive ticket prices for a show I wasn't convinced on. I hope he put on a good one and will again tonight for those going.

Hands up - who paid $500 to see Clapton? Insanity

Hope everyone enjoys tonight.

A lot of us are of the same mindset here. I said something to the effect of sometimes being bored at Clapton shows and was pilloried for it on the ABB FB page where they posted my piece on the ABB sitin... It's been my experience that he needs someone strong to push him...

Hands up - who paid $500 to see Clapton? Insanity

Agree ........I went last minute and got in below face value at a lower price tier, but tonight is where the real bargains are.

I'm a big fan of guitarists (hence Fretsman), EC has sh#t the bed on some occasions album wise, He had 80's and early '90's soft pop rock moments, but even on them tours he lit the songs up live. He does get repetitious and isn't worthy of multiple nights on the same tour, but he is a legend who has left an enormous body of work. Some songs suck the most beauty out of simplicity, Yes, but some songs have a rich mixture of chords. I love playing a lot of his tunes.

I actually paid 300 for tonight when the tickets went on sale. The money is already spent so I have no regrets. I will say having looked at the setlist, it looks like Clapton was playing it safe and the reviews were mixed. Hoping that tonight is better and I am looking forward to seeing both Jimmie Vaughn and Gary Clark Jr.

I'm not seeing these shows; there is another one in September I'm going to.

This seems about what's expected. I always say if clapton was a horse he's be like Affirmed; he needs someone pushing him to really shine. He is not Secretariat (capable of running off by himself.) Clapton seldom leaves his comfort zone; that is why the second night with ABB was so special. Liz Reed was his only "out of the box" moment.

The Times had a perfect description of Clapton's performance on Sunday which applied to the show I saw last night-subdued. I have seen Clapton many times asince 1978 and this was the most mellow I have ever seen him. Not necessarily a good thing. Just boring. No other way to describe it. I thought the acoustic set was the most interesting part of last night.

Gary Clark Jr was excellent. I am a big fan and I think when Gary plays a shorter set it accentuates his strength which is playing the guitar and negates the mediocre song writing. There is a reason why he has put put two live albums in such a short amount of time.

i enjoyed the show last night and was never bored.Perhaps it's the expectations i went in with-no great fireworks expected but a solid well played show.For me the main reason i went was to hear EC's beautiful tone again-after all, he's pretty much shut down touring and this was a rare treat to hear him again.Not my favorite group of players for EC but again, a good performance.

Gary Clark and Vaughn did little for me but it was nice to catch up with a friend during the opening acts.EC was way more into it than when i last saw him at his 70th birthday show @ MSG in 2015.An enjoyable evening!

I agree with some folks that he was boring last night. One friend said it was a "professional " show; that is, he was almost catatonic when he played. Hardly any expressions or even acknowledging the crowd except for the occasional thank you s he didn't even introduce the band except for the two keyboard players even though Steve Gadd was on drums. He just moved though the set list. Same tunes as Sunday night just rearranged the order. The acoustic set was excellent, his playing was spot one; but on electric guitar he made several noticeable flubs and took his obligatory solos. I love EC but this was the most subdued I've ever seen him, he looks old. Little Queen of Spades was good and his voice was solid throughout but he never really showed his attitude and attack when he played last night. The setlist included many tunes he has played for years; cocaine, crossroads, sunshine of your love, wonderful tonight, badge, I Shot the Sheriff; no surprises. The Dave Gilmour show last year blew this away.....

Steve Gadd and Nathan East don't push Clapton much at all. They are beyond accomplished players with great resumes, but it makes EC's band boring. Steve Jordan and Willie Weeks drive Clapton much more. When Jordan was paired with Ian Thomas on drums at Crossroads 2007, it really propelled things.

Clapton has done some of his best work when pushed by an Allman Brother: Duane then Chuck Leavell then Derek Trucks. I was lucky to see him with both Leavell & Derek. I also saw him in the mid and late 80s which were great shows as I recall.

Doyle Bramhall II with Jordan and Weeks was darn good too even without Derek back in 2006-2008.

His Blues Tour and album in 1994 was blazing (didn't see it live but have a great rehearsal bootleg where they smoke). His band included Dave Bronze on bass and Andy Newmark on drums

I would pass on a band of Clapton as the main guitarist with Gadd & East playing the setlist and lenght of show he did this week. That's hard to say since EC is among my all time favorites.

One friend said it was a "professional " show; that is, he was almost catatonic when he played. Hardly any expressions or even acknowledging the crowd except for the occasional thank you s

Please don't take this as attempting to argue with you, because it is not. Just something that struck me when reading this:

When Derek does the same thing -- no movement, no talking, no expressions, etc. -- everyone thinks it's really cool. When Eric does it (and that's how he's played since, well, forever) it's aloof or something.

Now -- I am a HUGE Clapton fan, so maybe I get defensive, but I find it interesting that he's such a polarizing figure. But also, I think sometimes folks search for things to criticize him about where other musicians get the benefit of the doubt.

One friend said it was a "professional " show; that is, he was almost catatonic when he played. Hardly any expressions or even acknowledging the crowd except for the occasional thank you s

Please don't take this as attempting to argue with you, because it is not. Just something that struck me when reading this:

When Derek does the same thing -- no movement, no talking, no expressions, etc. -- everyone thinks it's really cool. When Eric does it (and that's how he's played since, well, forever) it's aloof or something.

Now -- I am a HUGE Clapton fan, so maybe I get defensive, but I find it interesting that he's such a polarizing figure. But also, I think sometimes folks search for things to criticize him about where other musicians get the benefit of the doubt.

agree 100%....

Steve Gadd and Nathan East don't push Clapton much at all. They are beyond accomplished players with great resumes, but it makes EC's band boring. Steve Jordan and Willie Weeks drive Clapton much more. When Jordan was paired with Ian Thomas on drums at Crossroads 2007, it really propelled things.

Clapton has done some of his best work when pushed by an Allman Brother: Duane then Chuck Leavell then Derek Trucks. I was lucky to see him with both Leavell & Derek. I also saw him in the mid and late 80s which were great shows as I recall.

Doyle Bramhall II with Jordan and Weeks was darn good too even without Derek back in 2006-2008.

His Blues Tour and album in 1994 was blazing (didn't see it live but have a great rehearsal bootleg where they smoke). His band included Dave Bronze on bass and Andy Newmark on drums

I would pass on a band of Clapton as the main guitarist with Gadd & East playing the setlist and lenght of show he did this week. That's hard to say since EC is among my all time favorites.

great post.

One friend said it was a "professional " show; that is, he was almost catatonic when he played. Hardly any expressions or even acknowledging the crowd except for the occasional thank you s

Please don't take this as attempting to argue with you, because it is not. Just something that struck me when reading this:

When Derek does the same thing -- no movement, no talking, no expressions, etc. -- everyone thinks it's really cool. When Eric does it (and that's how he's played since, well, forever) it's aloof or something.

Now -- I am a HUGE Clapton fan, so maybe I get defensive, but I find it interesting that he's such a polarizing figure. But also, I think sometimes folks search for things to criticize him about where other musicians get the benefit of the doubt.

agree 100%....

For me, alot of this boils down to expectations.....and given the obscene pricing of this show, I think lots of folks had VERY high expectations. I have no qualms with the quality of anything. I just think when half of the lower bowl and most of the floor is shelling out nearly $600 a ticket (with fees), the headliner should play more than 90 minutes.

Interesting discussion. Like the Bro's I dig Clapton. Like the Bro's I have at times cringed. Comes with the territory of music I guess..... Random thoughts:

Tears in Heaven
I have same frame of reference as him..... I get writing the song... it is touching... hard to picture wanting to make that energy part of a public show. Last song I would want to hear live....

I Shot the Sherriff.....
I remember when radio played that song and played that song and played that song.... it was dreadful..... it still is...... Brits and Jamaica no mix, man....

Layla (acoustic)
I don't get it...... I feel like on a cruise boat with an umbrella drink and a bad piano act on the deck.... wait! It's Eric!

Cocaine! I hated that song when I DID cocaine! It is BB..... Beyond Bad.... Bring the big hair out, I love the 80's.....

OK Eric rant over, oh wait

Nobody Knows WYDAO
I love when someone takes a great electric blues they are famous for and sucks the life out of it, along with the electricity......

OK, Eric rant over..... I do love him......
He can play the hell out of Little Queen of Spades, dig that big time.... along with countless others....

Give the old man some credit... supposedly he has a bad back. I also prefer a band with stronger players and especially other guitar players. But for this show, he sang, played rhythm and lead... like a said, not bad for an old man.

I do not care for Jimmie Vaughn and Gary Clark left me totally flat... the gap in talent was very obvious in the encore when both players joined Clapton on stage for Before you Accuse Me.

Clapton worked mechanically through each song, took little or no time between songs and played a short set to boot. Not to the same extreme, but it reminds me of when everyone bitched about Hubert Summlin sitting in with the ABB at the Beacon. He was way beyond his prime but deserved the recognition, as he got from Derek who was smiling ear to ear while Hubert was on stage.

Clapton won't be playing many more shows where I can see him, so I was glad to have the opportunity. The sound in the venue was excellent (a big surprise) and there were lots of beyond ordinary moments.

I agree with a lot of what tony says... I saw Tears in Heaven as a nod to the majority of the crowd who were there to hear Clapton's hits, not stellar guitar playing. Same for You Look Wonderful Tonight.

I Shot the Sheriff actually had a very nice Clapton solo. I don't especially care for an acoustic Layla, but I don't think he could have pulled it off electric without another guitar player. The acoustic set should not have been four songs, in a short set, but Driftin and Driftin also was very nice.

Little Queen of Spades was my favorite tune of the night, very juicy Clapton blues, but it was not a hit and everyone sat down for it... If this link works, you can hear it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujiqzf5s4141nta/Little%20Queen%20of%20Spades.mp3?dl=0

I don't get to many shows these days, and while this could have been better, sharing a musical experience with friends cannot be beat.

One friend said it was a "professional " show; that is, he was almost catatonic when he played. Hardly any expressions or even acknowledging the crowd except for the occasional thank you s

Please don't take this as attempting to argue with you, because it is not. Just something that struck me when reading this:

When Derek does the same thing -- no movement, no talking, no expressions, etc. -- everyone thinks it's really cool. When Eric does it (and that's how he's played since, well, forever) it's aloof or something.

Now -- I am a HUGE Clapton fan, so maybe I get defensive, but I find it interesting that he's such a polarizing figure. But also, I think sometimes folks search for things to criticize him about where other musicians get the benefit of the doubt.

No offense taken.
I have seen Clapton 8-9 times, and my comments were about his entire stage persona not only when he played a solo. He was statutelike even while singing; he was on the screen all night and its was unmistakable to me how blank he looked; no smiling, no expressions, no grimacing, nada. I am not criticizing EC just his performance last night. I am a huge fan of EC, but I saw no joy at all last night in his face and that bothers/concerns me. I have a beautiful photo on my phone of him and Jeff Beck at the garden and he has smile from ear to ear while Jeff played. NO smiling at all last night. I though being a legend was fun??!!

Al paul eric is not overrated when jimi hendrix came to london thear wear only two
musicians he wanted to meet eric clapton and jeff beck at that time cream were recording there first record the blues brakers album was out he has had a great solo career
read dave marsh analyssis of eric clapton in rolling stone history of rock and roll.
i could say what you said about gregg and dickey but i won't.

Big Clapton fan here but what marvels me the most in this topic are those OUTRAGIOUS ticket prices. Okay there are a lot of people who appear to be willing to pay those prices but this is RIDICULOUS. Stop paying these prices. Don't go these shows. Boycot them. No matter how much it hurts not attending them. Screw those artists, promoters and Ticketbastard. They are vultures circling the carcass of Rock and Roll. Modern music started as a youth rebellion. It became a big industry that collapsed under it's own weight. I can understand inflation correction and increased prices due to all kind of extra costs and regulations. Also that artists, many in the end fase of their lengthy career, want to cash in because CD sales have dropped immensly. I have no problem in paying twice as much as like then years ago for selected concerts but somewhere you have to draw the line. Before you know it you have to mortgage your house or donate an organ before you can see your favorite artist in a venue filled with loudmouth stockbrokers and their bored housewifes. In stead of paying 600 bucks for one show (nobody it worth that!) you can buy almost 15 or 20 tickets for cool bands in small venues playing like their lives depended on it. Great sounds, great views, great brews and a nice bundle of cash still in your pocket. Rant over.

Big Clapton fan here but what marvels me the most in this topic are those OUTRAGIOUS ticket prices. Okay there are a lot of people who appear to be willing to pay those prices but this is RIDICULOUS. Stop paying these prices. Don't go these shows. Boycot them. No matter how much it hurts not attending them. Screw those artists, promoters and Ticketbastard. They are vultures circling the carcass of Rock and Roll. Modern music started as a youth rebellion. It became a big industry that collapsed under it's own weight. I can understand inflation correction and increased prices due to all kind of extra costs and regulations. Also that artists, many in the end fase of their lengthy career, want to cash in because CD sales have dropped immensly. I have no problem in paying twice as much as like then years ago for selected concerts but somewhere you have to draw the line. Before you know it you have to mortgage your house or donate an organ before you can see your favorite artist in a venue filled with loudmouth stockbrokers and their bored housewifes. In stead of paying 600 bucks for one show (nobody it worth that!) you can buy almost 15 or 20 tickets for cool bands in small venues playing like their lives depended on it. Great sounds, great views, great brews and a nice bundle of cash still in your pocket. Rant over.

i hear what you're saying but for those of us who like the old timer musicians, pretty soon, they'll be no more concerts left to see.Very sad to think of that reality, but to be truthful I rarely see shows these days.

BTW,ABSNJ is correct-last night the sound was surprisingly good & EC's rhythm playing was also very good.