# Eric Clapton proved in the sold-out Ziggo Dome that age is just a number: Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2026/05/03/eric-clapton-proved-in-the-sold-out-ziggo-dome-that-age-is-just-a-number-photos/
- Published: 2026-05-03T05:00:31+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**From blues classics to surprising deep cuts: it was an evening full of emotion,
virtuosity, and unforgettable solos. Eric Clapton enchants Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam
with masterful concert.**

Read the full concert report of an impressive return to the Netherlands.

![Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026](https://i0.
wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Eric-Clapton_Photography-
Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR2843A-2.jpg.webp?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1)

“Eric Clapton, is he still alive?” is a common reaction whenever I bring up his 
name in conversation. Phrases used by obvious non-experts, of course, but the question
isn’t entirely strange either, because Eric Clapton, born in 1945, has already surpassed
the life expectancy of the average Brit with his age.

And that with a history of alcohol and drug addictions. Anyway, he is alive! And
how! After years of speculating about his own retirement, he apparently wants nothing
to do with that in recent years.

He still goes on a fairly extensive tour every year and performs his shows with 
extraordinary enthusiasm. The Clapton circus is setting out again in 2026, visiting
the Netherlands for the first time since 2022.

![Eric Clapton live in een uitverkochte Ziggo Dome Amsterdam tijdens concerttour
2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/
Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR1759.jpg.webp?resize=640%
2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 
1")

On April 24, Eric Clapton performed in a sold-out Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. Here 
is a report of a – I’ll reveal it right away – magnificent evening.

A remarkably mixed crowd gathers in the Ziggo Dome, young and old united. The merchandise
stand is busy, and in a packed venue, it is a scramble to secure a good standing
spot.

At 7:30, it is first Jett Rebel’s turn, our Jett Rebel, and that is quite special–
Amsterdam is the only concert on the European mainland with a different opening 
act (Andy Faiweather Low & The Low Riders is the support act in the other cities).

Even Jett himself considers it a “fucking honor,” and he and his bandmates give 
it their all for a solid half hour. An energetic performance with the highlight 
being the long, solo-infused Bleed Me an Ocean, a slow blues that leaves the audience
warmed up.

![Jett Rebel live als support act van Eric Clapton in Ziggo Dome Amsterdam op 24
april 2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/
2026/04/Jett-Rebel_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR0613.jpg.webp?resize
=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 
2026 2")

**Jett Rebel**

Just under thirty minutes later, lights are dimmed, the Ziggo holds its breath expectantly.
The backing vocals ascend the stage, followed by a first glimpse of Eric Clapton
himself. Loud cheers and applause; this is what everyone has been waiting for.

Slowly but surely, he steps towards the center of the stage, onto the familiar Persian
carpet. He smoothly slings his Strat over his own shoulders. Badge begins, first
a few instrumental bars, Doyle Bramhall II already a tentative little solo. Then,
for the first time, Clapton vocally. Spotless, yet fragile.

Due to its build-up—the constantly shifting intensity, all working towards a final
climax full of musical soloing—the Cream classic is the perfect overture.

![Doyle Bramhall II speelt gitaarsolo tijdens concert in Ziggo Dome Amsterdam op
24 april 2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/
2026/04/Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR3965.jpg.webp?resize
=640%2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 
2026 3")

**Doyle Bramhall II**

Blues classics Key to the Highway and I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man, long-standing
staples in the opening part of Clapton’s performances, follow. Songs close to the
Brit’s heart, which he always works through with great pleasure.

The vulnerability of the voice is evident; solos by veteran Chris Stainton on piano,
Doyle Bramhall II on (second) guitar, and Tim Carmon on organ alternate in rapid
succession, often topped off with an all-surpassing solo from the man for whom everyone
has gathered tonight.

What is new: for the first time in I don’t know how long, serious attention has 
been paid to the decor. The entire evening is adorned with delightful visuals that
provide the whole thing with a little extra warmth.

![Eric Clapton & band live in een uitverkochte Ziggo Dome Amsterdam tijdens concerttour
2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/
Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR2489.jpg.webp?resize=640%
2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 
4")

Well and truly warmed up, the absolute surprise of the evening follows: If I Don’t
Be There by Morning from Backless (1978), written by Bob Dylan. Clapton is back 
in Tulsa sound style for a moment. “We haven’t played that for fifty years,” said
Eric himself afterwards.

And that is certainly audible; the lyrics aren’t quite in his head yet, and musically
things don’t flow as smoothly either, but it is actually moving in its imperfection.
Clapton himself doesn’t seem bothered by it at all; shrugging his shoulders and 
with a mischievous smile, he tries to make the best of it.

Then: I Shot the Sheriff, a song that immediately receives a lot of enthusiasm from
the audience. And rightly so; Clapton’s live performances are known for their compelling
final solos. Palm trees from 461 Ocean Boulevard on the screens. The opening is 
already great too.

Clapton is in the groove, and it stays that way until the end. “If I am guilty I
would pay,” he bellows through the hall halfway through; you can hardly give the
man 81 years. The ending is long and strong, very strong, and everyone needs a moment
to catch their breath, not least the protagonist himself.

![Eric Clapton speelt akoestisch tijdens intiem moment in Ziggo Dome Amsterdam](
https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Eric-
Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR1890.jpg.webp?resize=640%2C427&
ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 5")

Fortunately, we unplug for a moment. The Fender makes way for a Martin. Clapton 
gets to sit down, the rest of the band even offstage for a bit.

We suddenly find ourselves in the Royal Albert Hall in London, a venue that, ironically
enough and entirely contrary to tradition, is missing from the ’26 setlist. Robert
Johnson’s *Kind Hearted Woman Blues* is a real treat; Clapton comes close to his
falsetto voice, which is met with much appreciation from the audience.

The band returns for the next set; alongside solid renditions of the well-known 
MTV Unplugged songs *Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out*, *Layla*, and *Tears
in Heaven* – the emotional *Golden Ring* in the acoustic section—there is also a*
Backless* track.

Beautiful song, Chris Stainton’s instrumental part slightly bombastic. In between,
Eric wishes the audience a good evening—he had completely forgotten, but he is forgiven.

![Eric Clapton live met Fender Stratocaster tijdens Ziggo Dome concert in Amsterdam
2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/
Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR2794A-2.jpg.webp?resize=640%
2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 
6")

After the reggae version of *Tears*, the volume goes back up for yet another final
third. And right from the start: we begin in the 80s with the amazing *Tearing Us
Apart*.

Katie Kissoon plays the role of Tina Turner with verve—not for the first time—and
the left-handed Doyle pulls out all the stops with a solid guitar solo.

Straight on to the highlight of the evening. *Old Love* is one of those songs that
every Clapton fan wants to see live because it is often so spectacular. And certainly
with Tim Carmon on organ. Spectacular, that is what it becomes.

Eric Clapton sounds just as strong as on that one famous live version at Madison
Square Garden in New York in 1999. His own solo, followed by Tim’s, is breathtaking,
and a good twelve minutes fly by.

![Eric Clapton live in een uitverkochte Ziggo Dome Amsterdam tijdens concerttour
2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/
Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR1280.jpg.webp?resize=640%
2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 
7")

Then Crossroads, the Ziggo Arena by now a swirling mass, in a state of euphoria.
And Little Queen of Spades – another famous pièce de résistance that not much can
match. Too many good solos to mention, Tim Carmon – what a hero!

And to conclude, at least the official part, J.J. Cale’s Cocaine, often the closing
chord of Clapton’s show. He really lets loose halfway through, slightly funky, and
when Stainton finally strikes all his keys from left to right, we know the end is
here. “Cocaine!” they shout en masse. “Thank you!” replies Eric Clapton.

Long live the encore. One more song to help us detox a bit. Before You Accuse Me
gives Amsterdam all that is good one last time; blues, solos, Clapton, Clapton. 
Thank you! It was enchanting.

![Eric Clapton en band live op het podium in Ziggo Dome Amsterdam tijdens Europese
tour 2026](https://i0.wp.com/711571cc.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/
04/Eric-Clapton_Photography-Marco-van-Rooijen_20260424_MVR5169.jpg.webp?resize=640%
2C427&ssl=1 "Concertverslag: Eric Clapton, Ziggo Dome Amsterdam – 24 april 2026 
8")

**Eric Clapton & Band**

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