Eric Clapton , a living legend of rock, arrived in Brazil, with the capital of Paraná as his first stop on Tuesday night, the 24th. Clapton's tour includes shows in the country to celebrate his 60-year career, along with musician Gary Clark Jr.
After more than a decade since the musician last came to Brazil, the show was highly anticipated by the people of Curitiba. The Ligga Arena was practically full, with several surrounding streets closed off. Eric is considered one of the best guitarists in rock history, and with such a devoted audience, not even the heat in the venue dampened the spirits.
Gary Clark Jr. wins over the audience.
The show started around 7:30 PM and featured an opening act by Gary Clark Jr. The Texas blues guitarist and singer began his setlist with more introspective songs and solos, blending groove, blues, and rock.
The audience initially responded positively, but the crowd in front of the stage really started to gather when Clark truly showcased his talent, performing the tracks “This Is Who We Are” and “What About the Children”.
The audience was truly amazed by Gary's mesmerizing guitar solos and swinging vocals. Adding a bluesy touch, he made it impossible for those present not to move their bodies to the rhythm of the music.
Finally, dressed in a Woodstock-style poncho, the guitarist made a point of greeting and thanking the audience and proudly highlighting his Texan origins.
Eric Clapton, the highlight of the night.
After the usual intermission, the venue was already packed, and with everyone eager to finally see the guitar master live, Eric Clapton and his band took to the stage promptly at 9 pm. With the song "Sunshine Of Your Love" and the performance of "Hoochie Coochie Man," he won the hearts of the audience.
Those who doubted his current limitations were mistaken. The rock and blues icon still puts on a show, especially on the guitars. At these moments, the guitarists present sighed with all their might. Clapton's band members were a show in themselves, pure emotion and technique united to give life to the musician's compositions.
In the second part of the show, the electric guitars gave way to an acoustic set, starting with Robert Johnson's classic "Kind Hearted Woman Blues," followed by the night's highlights. One of the show's strong points was "Change The World" and "Tears In Heaven," which brought tears to many eyes. The audience was largely composed of parents, grandparents, and children, forming a true intergenerational gathering.
Immediately afterwards, without letting the audience cool down, the power of the electric strings returns to continue with some blues classics, such as "Old Love," and one of the most anticipated songs of the night, "Cocaine," another highlight of the performance.
At one point, the musician swaps his guitar for one with the colors of the Palestinian flag, showing that he is not afraid to continue expressing his convictions, and performs the song "Before You Accuse Me" flawlessly.
Finally, a guest appearance by Gary Clark Jr. closed with a blues jam session that took everyone back to the 60s. It was a beautiful show by talented musicians from various generations, united to show everyone what real music truly is.
Some negative points of the event
On the night of the show, Curitiba recorded an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, atypical heat for the city. The Ligga Arena remained with its retractable roof closed, and there were few places to buy water, or, as they called them, "hydration points." By the middle of the show, many drinks had already run out, and the bathrooms were overcrowded.
Because the venue was so crowded, the possibility of leaving to buy water meant staying there and losing the spot they had chosen to watch the show. The water distribution at the barrier was insufficient, forcing many older fans to leave.
Another interesting detail was the absence of "Layla," Clapton's classic song written for Patty Boyle . The song addresses his forbidden love affair with the former model and photographer, who at the time was married to guitarist George Harrison . The story resulted in Eric and Patty's marriage in 1979.
I believe the location gave the feeling of a modern prison, but on the other hand, it improved the acoustics of the sound. Eric Clapton certainly deserved a sky to admire and air to breathe.
Check out the photos from the show taken by Vladimir Silverio – our team didn't have access to the pit during Clapton's performance:
READ ALSO: Eric Clapton announces three shows in Brazil in 2024 to celebrate 60 years of his career.
