THE sounds of Classic Clapton can be heard in Christchurch next month. Fans of Eric Clapton can enjoy this tribute band at the Regent Centre, Christchurch, on Saturday, September 12. This is Classic Clapton's 30th anniversary tour.

The band will perform all of Eric's classic songs including Wonderful Tonight, Tears in Heaven, Crossroads, I Shot The Sheriff, Cocaine, Lay Down Sally and of course Layla. There will even be an unplugged segment. The band was formed in 1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne - long before the term tribute band was invented - and named themselves After Midnight after Eric Clapton's first solo hit. In guitar/ vocalist Mike Hall, they have a front man who not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him. In 1999 Mike won a national look-alike competition held at Madame Tussauds in London.

Mike has met Clapton twice and even received a message of encouragement from the guitar maestro (written on a Concorde menu). In 2001 they embarked on an extensive tour of UK Theatres.

They called the tribute show Classic Clapton. Since then, they have continued to perform all over the UK and Europe including concerts at The Royal Festival Hall and Glastonbury Festival. Classic Clapton comprises four musicians - Mike Hall (lead vocals/guitar), Paul Warren (keyboards/ backing vocals), Danny Davison (drums) and Dave Robson (bass guitar /backing vocals). Dave is a former member of chart band Geordie. Mike, Dave and Danny are all original members of Classic Clapton. Paul joined in 2007.

See classic-clapton.com for more information.