Pure Music Love

Tedeschi Trucks Band Shine at Crossroads 2026 with Clapton & Mayer

Tedeschi Trucks Band closed the first night of Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026 in Austin with an all-star jam featuring Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Trey Anastasio. Highlights included rare performances and a Derek & The Dominos finale.

Trey Anastasio

Photo: Dan Shinneman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and printed in one ink.

Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival returned in 2026 with a night to remember, as Tedeschi Trucks Band took the stage at Austin’s Moody Center on September 26. The band delivered a set packed with rare collaborations, bringing out guitar legends Trey Anastasio, John Mayer, and Clapton himself for a series of unforgettable moments.

The festival, now in its seventh edition, is a celebration of guitar mastery and a fundraiser for Clapton’s Crossroads Centre Antigua, an addiction treatment facility. This year’s lineup showcased a mix of blues, rock, and jam-band traditions, with Tedeschi Trucks Band’s performance standing out as a highlight of the weekend.

A Night of Rare Collaborations

Tedeschi Trucks Band opened their set with a quartet of fan favorites: "Got My Mojo Workin’," "Who Am I," "Future Soul," and "I Walk on Guilded Splinters." The energy shifted when Trey Anastasio joined for two standout tracks: George Harrison’s "Wah-Wah"—a song the band hadn’t played since May 2025—and Jimi Hendrix’s "Little Wing." The latter was particularly special, marking the first time the band had performed it since their 2019 LOCKN’ Festival set with Anastasio, which later became the live album Layla Revisited (Live At LOCKN’).

John Mayer’s appearance added another layer of excitement. He teamed up with the band for Derek & The Dominos’ "Keep On Growing" and debuted Traffic’s "Empty Pages," a first for Tedeschi Trucks Band. The set reached its peak when Eric Clapton and Doyle Bramhall II joined for "Anyday" and the iconic "Layla," a nod to the Derek & The Dominos catalog. The band last played "Layla" in September 2023 at Madison Square Garden, making this performance a rare treat for fans.

An All-Star Finale

The night culminated in an all-star jam for Derek & The Dominos’ "Got To Get Better In A Little While," a song Tedeschi Trucks Band had never performed before. The stage was packed with guitar luminaries, including Clapton, Anastasio, Mayer, Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Marcus King, Jimmie Vaughan, Jerry Douglas, Sonny Landreth, and more. The moment underscored the festival’s spirit of collaboration and generational exchange.

Festival Highlights Beyond the Headliners

While Tedeschi Trucks Band’s set was a standout, the festival featured other memorable moments: - Trey Anastasio joined Julian Lage’s trio for "Northern Shuffle." - Marcus King performed "Seven Days" and "Bell Bottom Blues" with Sierra Hull. - Joe Bonamassa, Marcus King, and Eric Gales teamed up for "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)." - John McLaughlin and Brothers of the Heart delivered a set with Jerry Douglas and Clapton.

The festival’s second day continued the tradition of sit-ins, with Clapton appearing alongside many of the supporting acts. Hosted by Bill Murray, Crossroads 2026 lived up to its reputation as a gathering of guitar royalty, blending blues heritage with modern improvisation.

Why This Matters for Fans

For fans of Tedeschi Trucks Band, the set was a masterclass in live collaboration, offering rare performances and deep cuts from their catalog. The band’s ability to seamlessly integrate with legends like Clapton and Mayer highlighted their versatility and respect within the guitar community. The festival also served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Derek & The Dominos, with multiple nods to their iconic album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs.

Crossroads Guitar Festival remains a must-attend event for guitar enthusiasts, combining world-class performances with a meaningful cause. While the 2026 edition has passed, the replays of the livestreams offer a chance to relive the magic for those who missed it.

Questions fans are asking

When and where was Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026 held?
Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026 took place on September 26 and 27 at Austin’s Moody Center. The event was organized by Eric Clapton to raise funds for his Crossroads Centre Antigua.
Who joined Tedeschi Trucks Band during their Crossroads 2026 set?
Tedeschi Trucks Band was joined by Trey Anastasio, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II. The finale also featured an all-star lineup including Billy F Gibbons, Marcus King, and Jimmie Vaughan.
What were the standout performances at Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026?
Highlights included Tedeschi Trucks Band’s rare performances of "Little Wing" and "Wah-Wah," John Mayer debuting Traffic’s "Empty Pages," and the all-star finale of Derek & The Dominos’ "Got To Get Better In A Little While."

Keep reading