Boston, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Eric Clapton performed at TD Garden in Boston, marking his 21st solo concert in the area. The show featured a mix of blues and classic hits, with guest harmonica player Jerry Portnoy joining for two songs. The concert included songs from Clapton’s extensive career, as well as an opening act by The Wallflowers. Clapton’s tour supports his recent album, showcasing his lasting connection with the Boston music scene.
Boston
Eric Clapton returned to Boston on September 16, 2025, performing at TD Garden in what was his 21st solo concert in the Greater Boston area. The performance, held three years after his previous Boston appearance, featured a mix of blues, ballads and classic hits from his multi-decade career and included harmonica player Jerry Portnoy as a special guest for part of the acoustic set.
Key details
The concert combined electric and acoustic material and showcased songs spanning Clapton’s time with Cream, Derek and the Dominos and his solo work. Portnoy joined for two acoustic numbers, and the show was supported by a veteran touring band that accompanied Clapton on all U.S. dates. The Wallflowers served as the opening act for the Boston performance.
Setlist highlights
- White Room
- Key To The Highway
- Hoochie Coochie Man
- Sunshine Of Your Love
- Drifting – with Jerry Portnoy
- Kind Hearted Woman – with Jerry Portnoy
- Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
- Layla
- Can’t Find My Way Home (vocals by Nathan East)
- Tears In Heaven
- Badge
- Old Love
- Crossroads
- Little Queen Of Spades
- Got To Get Better
- Cocaine
Tour lineup and guest musicians
Clapton’s band for the U.S. leg included Nathan East on bass and vocals, Doyle Bramhall II on guitar and vocals, Sonny Emory on drums, Chris Stainton on keyboards, Tim Carmon on Hammond organ and keyboards, and backing vocalists Sharon White and Katie Kissoon. Jerry Portnoy appeared during the acoustic portion for “Drifting” and “Kind Hearted Woman.”
Remaining tour dates
Following the Boston show, two remaining dates were scheduled on Clapton’s 2025 U.S. tour: performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City and Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Context and background
Clapton’s association with Boston spans decades. His band Cream performed a nine-night run at the Psychedelic Supermarket in 1967 and returned in March and April 1968 for shows at Brandeis University and the Back Bay Theatre. Cream also played at Boston Garden during their 1968 farewell tour. In February 1970, Derek and the Dominos played two nights at the Boston Tea Party. Clapton’s first solo concert in Boston took place on July 12, 1974, at the Boston Garden. The September 16, 2025 concert marked his 21st solo performance in Greater Boston, which includes ten shows at an outdoor venue in Mansfield.
Album and tour purpose
The 2025 tour supports Clapton’s recent album Meanwhile, a project featuring collaborations with several artists. The U.S. leg began in Columbus, Ohio, and included prior stops in Nashville and Philadelphia before reaching Boston.
Production and show format
The Boston performance alternated electric and acoustic segments and combined extended blues jams with concise renditions of well-known songs. The acoustic set included harmonica accompaniment for two tracks. The show’s structure reflected the touring band’s multi-instrument capability and featured a guest vocal lead from Nathan East on one song.
Additional notes
The Wallflowers served as the opening act for the Boston date. Jerry Portnoy, a noted blues harmonica player who first met Clapton in 1978 and later performed in Clapton’s band from 1993 to 1996, rejoined for this appearance.
FAQ
When and where did Eric Clapton perform in Boston?
Eric Clapton performed at TD Garden in Boston on September 16, 2025.
Was there a special guest at the Boston show?
Yes. Blues harmonica player Jerry Portnoy joined Eric Clapton for two songs during the acoustic set.
What songs were included in the setlist?
The setlist included a mix of blues and classic rock numbers such as “White Room,” “Layla,” “Tears In Heaven,” “Crossroads,” and “Cocaine,” among others. The full 16-song setlist is listed above in the article.
Who opened the concert?
The Wallflowers opened the Boston show.
Which musicians toured with Clapton on the U.S. dates?
The touring lineup included Nathan East, Doyle Bramhall II, Sonny Emory, Chris Stainton, Tim Carmon, Sharon White and Katie Kissoon.
Are there more tour dates left in 2025?
Yes. After the Boston concert, two dates remained: Madison Square Garden in New York City and Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Concert at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | September 16, 2025 |
| Venue | TD Garden, Boston |
| Headliner | Eric Clapton |
| Special guest | Jerry Portnoy (harmonica) |
| Opening act | The Wallflowers |
| Touring band | Nathan East, Doyle Bramhall II, Sonny Emory, Chris Stainton, Tim Carmon, Sharon White, Katie Kissoon |
| Notable setlist songs | White Room, Layla, Tears In Heaven, Crossroads, Cocaine |
| Remaining U.S. dates | Madison Square Garden (NYC); Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT) |
| Tour purpose | Support for the album Meanwhile |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fall Events and Memorials This Week in Boston
Eric Clapton Concludes U.S. Tour with Final Northeast Shows
Additional Resources
- Where’s Eric: Boston 2025 Concert
- Google Search: Eric Clapton
- Globely News: U.S. Tour Wrap-up
- Wikipedia: Eric Clapton
- MassLive: Tour Ticket Information
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Eric Clapton
- Business Insider: Getting Clapton Tickets
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