There’s an unwritten rule when it comes to major acts playing in atrocious weather and it goes something like this: you give it your all. Pull something special out of the bag, dispense with the more obscure album tracks and the “new” stuff. In fact, a “greatest hits” set might not be a bad idea. Also, engage with the audience, sympathise with them, turn a negative into a positive (Springsteen does it all the time, Crowded House did it in Marlay Park last year, as did The Waterboys at the Midlands Festival).
Despite the monsoon season descending on the lovely lawns at Malahide Castle, Eric Clapton instead decided to put in a so-so, workmanlike performance that was heavy on the blues and light on entertainment. This despite a superb band that included Willie Weeks on bass and drummer Abraham Laboriel Jr (recently seen with McCartney).
He was in great voice and the famous fretwork was never less than smouldering. After an impressive start with ‘Tell The Truth’, he turned in a smattering of classics like ‘Key To The Highway’ and ‘Motherless Children.’ And it was nice to hear ‘Isn’t It A Pity’ – the George Harrison song he made his own after the tribute show to the late ex-Beatle a few years back. But to the clear disappointment of many, there was no room in the set for the likes of ‘I Shot The Sherriff', ‘Tears In Heaven’, ‘Lay Down Sally’ or (my own personal fave) ‘Willie And The Hand Jive’.
But the rain did stop and by the time he let loose on the opening riff to ‘Layla’ there was a palpably upbeat atmosphere. Then, just as Clapton was about to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, the power went down, killing the PA and the video screens. Normal service resumed for an admittedly blistering ‘Cocaine’ but when the power failed again on the final number ‘Got My Mojo Working’, it almost came as a blessed relief and few called for an encore.
Clapton might be God but somebody up there doesn’t like him!