An extended version of Eric Clapton’s 1992 MTV Unplugged special, titled Eric Clapton Unplugged…Over 30 Years Later, will be screened in select U.S. and U.K. theaters on January 27 and 28. The film then will get its streaming premiere on Paramount+ starting on February 12.
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The theatrical screenings will be held at theaters with Dolby Atmos capability; tickets can be purchased now. For a full list of participating theaters, visit ClaptonUnplugged.com.
Clapton’s Unplugged episode was filmed on January 16, 1992, at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, U.K. During the show, the legendary British guitarist played a set that featured reimagined acoustic versions of a few of his well-known songs, including “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven,” as well as blues classics by artists who greatly influenced his own music.
The new extended version of the special features remixed and remastered audio. It also includes added footage of Clapton talking about the inspiration behind some of his songs and of him performing with crew members before playing his set for the audience.
Clapton’s band for the show featured multi-instrumentalist Andy Fairweather Low, keyboardist Chuck Leavell, bassist Nathan East, drummer Steve Ferrone, percussionist Ray Cooper, and backing singers Katie Kissoon and Tessa Niles.
About Clapton’s Unplugged Album and Subsequent DVD Release
Audio from Clapton’s Unplugged episode was released as a live album in August 1992 and became a huge success. Unplugged topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks in March 1993, and Eric’s acoustic version of “Layla” reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In addition, at the 1993 Grammy Awards, Clapton won the Album of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance honors for Unplugged, while “Layla” took home the Best Rock Song prize.
Unplugged is Clapton’s bestselling album, having been certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million copies in the U.S.
In 2013, an expanded version of the Unplugged concert video was released on DVD in conjunction with an expanded reissue of the album that was called Unplugged: Expanded & Remastered.
About Clapton’s Upcoming Studio, Meanwhile
The Eric Clapton Unplugged…Over 30 Years Later screenings will take place just a few days after Clapton releases physical versions of his latest studio album, Meanwhile.
The album, which was released digitally in October 2024, will be issued on CD and vinyl on January 24.
The 14-track collection features six brand-new songs and eight singles Clapton had released during the last previous three years or so.
Among the previously released songs appearing on the album are three politically charged tunes Clapton recorded in collaboration with his friend Van Morrison—“Pompous Fool,” “The Rebels,” and “Stand and Deliver.”
Meanwhile also includes Clapton’s cover of the classic ballad “Moon River” that features late guitar legend Jeff Beck. That track originally was released in May 2023 as a tribute to Beck, who passed away in January of that year.
Another previously released tune featured on the upcoming album is a cover of the country ballad “Always on My Mind,” a collaboration with veteran country/bluegrass singer Bradley Walker. Eric released the song in September 2023 as a 90th birthday tribute to Willie Nelson, who had a chart-topping country hit with the tune in 1982.
Clapton’s 2025 Concert Plans
Clapton has concerts scheduled this spring in Japan and Europe. He’ll play a six-show engagement in April at the famed Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Eric also has a three-night stand lined up at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 21, 23, and 24.
His other confirmed concerts are scheduled for May 18 in Nottingham, U.K.; May 27 and 28 in Milan, Italy; May 31 in Paris; and June 2 in Nice, France.
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