LUCCA. Wet debut, lucky debut. The Lucca Summer Festival kicks off with the legendary British guitarist Eric Clapton who brings a message of peace to the Summer stage, holding a guitar in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Music and commitment, therefore. The rain that fell in spurts in the afternoon did not stop “Slowhand” lovers: around 16 thousand tickets sold. 18 years have passed since Clapton’s last performance in Lucca and yesterday, despite his 79 years of age, he has not lost his luster and has returned to play the successes of a very long career from the stage of the historic walls, created alongside bands such as Cream, Derek and the Dominos and The Yardbirds.
Around 9pm Clapton went on stage, greeted the audience and then got busy with his “Palestinian” guitar. As per the setlist, the ball was kicked off by “Blue dust”, an intense and engaging blues piece, followed by “Key to the highway”, a classic that talks about travel and the search for freedom. Then came “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man”, a cover of Muddy Waters, a hymn to the power of seduction in which Clapton’s guitar unleashes a memorable guitar riff. After over an hour of great music comes the moment most awaited by fans, with the arpeggio of “Tears in Heaven”, one of Clapton’s most beautiful and touching songs, written in memory of his son Conor (he had with his then Italian showgirl Lory Del Santo), who died tragically in 1991 at just 5 years old. Grand finale with “Cocaine”, before the encore with “Before you accuse me”, another classic with a contagious rhythm.
All is well, therefore, for the first concert of Summer 2024. Already in the afternoon the streets of the historic center had been invaded by the musician’s fans, coming from all over Italy. Equipped with raincoats, Simone and Giulio – arrived from Turin but originally from Puglia – talk about their first time in Lucca: «We have been following Clapton for a long time, we met him in the days of Cream and as soon as we saw the only stage in Italy we ran to buy tickets. The weather is not favorable, but we hope it will bring us luck to make the most of this experience.”
Duccio and Anna Cotronea, father and daughter, arrive from Rome to see the concert and were enchanted by Lucca: «We arrived yesterday and we have already visited the main attractions of the city. We will stay here again tonight to discover it even more deeply.” Duccio says she has been a huge fan of the British guitarist since he was 15, when he went to see his first concert, which was Eric Clapton. He also passed on his passion to his daughter Anna and the two came to Lucca.
Edoardo, on the other hand, is at home here, he lives in Lucca and came to hear his idol’s concert with his nephew, hoping to pass on his passion for the blues to him too. «I’ve known him since before he played in Cream and as soon as I saw the date I couldn’t help but buy the ticket. I brought my nephew with me: the new generations must know the great legends.” Right at the entrance, just outside Porta San Pietro, there is Patrizia from Perugia, a great rock fan: «I love going to listen to live music because every time I get excited, especially if I’m alone. I always meet new people and this only increases my self-esteem. Plus, Lucca is beautiful and I’ll stay tomorrow too, I want to go and see the Canova exhibition.”
Roberto also comes from Perugia together with his wife and daughter. He tells us that he had already heard Clapton in 1985, in the prime of his career. Roberto has already come to the Summer Festival with his family to listen to James Taylor in 2015 and then to the Rolling Stones in 2017. He says he admires the comfort of Lucca and regretfully says he can’t stay one more night.” L
