Clapton In Germany

As North American fans anxiously await word of Eric Clapton playing on this continent, Slowhand prepares to put the last of his European dates on sale with nine concerts slated for Germany going up Oct. 19. 

Photo: Matthew Lamb
F.M. Kirby Center For Perf. Arts, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Clapton released his European tour schedule in stages, announcing his U.K. plans, including his yearly Royal Albert Hall run, in mid-September. Three weeks later the Clapton camp started talking up Europe with the announcement of onsales for Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Austria and Czech Republic.

This week it’s Germany’s turn as Clapton puts nine concerts on sale ranging from Frankfurt on May 29 to Nuremberg June 18.

Here’s Clapton’s U.K./Europe itinerary as it stands today.

May 13 – Birmingham, United Kingdom, LG Arena
May 14 – Manchester, United Kingdom, Manchester Arena
May 17 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 18 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 20 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 21 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 23 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 24 – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 26 – – London, United Kingdom, Royal Albert Hall
May 29 – Frankfurt, Germany, Festhalle – Messe Frankfurt
May 30 – Berlin, Germany, O2 World
June 1 – Hamburg, Germany, O2 World Hamburg
June 2 – Leipzig, Germany, Leipzig Arena
June 4 – Kaunas, Lithuania, Zalgiris Arena
June 5 – Riga, Latvia, Arena Riga
June 7 – Lodz, Poland, Lodz Arena
June 9 – Munich, Germany, Olympiahalle
June 11 – Vienna, Austria, Wiener Stadthalle
June 12 – Stuttgart, Germany, Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle
June 14 – Oberhausen, Germany, Konig – Pilsener Arena
June 15 – Cologne, Germany, Lanxess Arena
June 18 – Nuremberg, Germany, Arena Nurnberger Versicherung
June 19 – Prague, Czech Republic, O2 Arena

Word from Clapton’s camp is that EC was in the studio during most of 2012 working on a new album that will be released next year. Meanwhile, multi-format commemorative release celebrating the 35th anniversary of Slowhand is set for Nov. 26 in Europe, Dec. 4 in the U.S.

Photo: AP Photo
Crossroads Guitar Festival, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.

Both super-deluxe and plain old deluxe versions will contain outtakes of “Looking At The Rain,” “Alberta,” “Greyhound Bus” and “Stars, Strays and Ashtrays.”

But you might want to pop for the super-deluxe edition, mainly because it includes his April 27, 1977 Hammersmith Odeon concert.

Getting back to 2013, the shows in Germany go on sale Oct. 19. Visit EricClapton.com for more information.