Fleetwood Mac performed in concert on Thursday night at the highly-secured TD Garden in Boston. The Garden staff had asked concert goers to arrive early to the venue due to the increased security measures it had taken, such as prohibiting attendees from bringing bags into the venue. Most in attendance seemed to appreciate the added security, if not only to calm rattled nerves.
The city of Boston has still been reeling from Monday’s tragic events at the Boston Marathon, and the mood of the people has been understandably somber. In this situation, Fleetwood Mac could only do what its members knew how to do best: play their hearts out for the city of Boston. And that’s exactly what they did, as Stevie, Lindsey, Mick, John and the rest of the band gave Bostonians a few hours of melodic distraction to let their minds drift from the sadness that has cast a powerful spell over the city in recent days.
The band started the night off upbeat with “Second Hand News” and “The Chain,” which energized and pleased the crowd. Just before starting “Dreams,” Stevie briefly alluded to the tragedy.
“When people went through hard times when I was young,” Stevie said, “I used to ask my mother what I should do. She said, ‘sing for them.’” The crowd roared in approval.
As the band played, the projection monitor behind the stage displayed an illustration of hands forming a heart over the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, created by New England folk musician and artist Dan Blakeslee in response to the Boston Marathon bombings. Fleetwood Mac and its production team clearly had Bostonians in their hearts and minds this evening.
Stevie was also thinking about a solider that she had a visited at Walter Reed Medical Center many years ago. At the time, Stevie wasn’t sure if the solider, named Vincent, would recover, but he somehow pulled through and was present in the audience. Stevie continued by expressing her adoration for Boston, saying “I would love to be in this city — I love this city.” She then proceeded to dedicate “Landslide” to Vincent, his parents, and the audience.
Mick made one additional dedication at the end of the show.
“Guys and girls, families, everyone here tonight… Boston, the city of Boston, goodness, we know what you’re going through. And this next song is all about just what it says, ‘don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.’ We love you so.” The band then played their ubiquitous hit song “Don’t Stop.”
Without an opening act, Fleetwood Mac treated Bostonians to a full two-and-half hour concert, performing a 23-song set list, which included Fleetwood Mac classics “Landslide,” “Sara,” and “Go Your Own Way” and new songs “Sad Angel” and “Without You.” The band has yet to drop a song from the set list since the tour began in Columbus, Ohio, on April 4.
At the end of the show, Stevie made some final comments about the tragedy (video of these comments is posted below):
“I want you to know that we are right there with you. And in my opinion, this is probably, you know, you and New York, you are the strongest cities in the world. You always have been. And you’ll get through this. And next year your fantastic race will be run like always. And we want to send out our total sorrow for the people that were hurt, for the people that we lost, and for the people that were just watching, for the people that were watching on television. All, everybody suffered through it, and we know how strong you are. You are “Boston Strong” and you will make it! So God bless all of you. Keep your chin up. We love you.”
After the band members took their final bows, drummer Mick Fleetwood advised the crowd to take care of themselves and each other, a sentiment that probably resonates stronger than ever to most Bostonians today.
Fleetwood Mac performs next at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Saturday. The venue is approaching capacity, but tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.
Boston set list
- Second Hand News
- The Chain
- Dreams
- Sad Angel (new song)
- Rhiannon
- Not That Funny
- Tusk
- Sisters Of The Moon
- Sara
- Big Love
- Landslide
- Never Going Back Again
- Without You (new song)
- Gypsy
- Eyes Of The World
- Gold Dust Woman
- I’m So Afraid
- Stand Back
- Go Your Own Way
- World Turning (first encore)
- Don’t Stop
- Silver Springs (second encore)
- Say Goodbye
Fan reaction (via Twitter)
@NancyRoxo
#Fleetwoodmac just soothing my soul tonight at the @tdgarden #Steviefanforlife #Chills
@KerrenLE
Stevie Nicks’ voice is so angelic #amazed @ TD Garden
@bostonbella
Fleetwood Mac is putting on such a badass show! #boston #fleetwoodmac #StevieNicks always a good time with @FastFreddyMurph ! 🙂
@apthompson10
Best night of my life #fleetwoodmac
@JohnnnyWhite
@CraigHughey fleetwood Mac is awesome
@lou
Had a great time tonight @fleetwoodmac #boston. Amazing show and great distraction. Thanks.
@edrusmel
I’m still immensely happy I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert. I can’t get over it.
@SandriValente
Stevie Nicks, you are a goddess. i love you! Best concert ever. #fleetwood Mac #tdgarden #ballingmyeyesout
@MissDeeBear
@fleetwoodmac Amazing show in Boston tonight!
@JillyDSkilly
Fleetwood Mac was a class act tonight. So many sweet words for the great city of Boston. Amazing show that rocked to the core. #FleetwoodMac
@wordvomitfromJR
That concert was just what I needed. “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, Boston!” #FleetwoodMac #2013tour
@cincam1
Fleetwood Mac’s show in Boston was off the hook!! Amazing as always, talented as ever!
@aligill82
@fleetwoodmac Amazing concert in Boston tonight! It was done with such perfect sweetness. Thank you.
@SecretlyObese
Thank you for making it a special night in #Boston @fleetwoodmac. I cried like a baby during Landslide.
@kgusci_kg
Fleetwood Mac……Boston tonight……..great show…….gold dust woman is the best song EVER!
@TheGuruBand
@fleetwoodmac you guys were amazing in Boston tonight!
@DonnaFirsty
Thank you, @fleetwoodmac, for helping Boston start the healing process! The show was a blast! #bostonstrong
@BigDaddyRhi
Fleetwood Mac was amazing, best concert ever, I love Boston, stay beautiful and stay strong!
To read more fan reviews from the tour, visit The Nicks Fix.
Video
Stevie’s final comments to Boston (courtesy of Carrie-Ellen Batcheller)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAZrEPTSerU&feature=youtu.be&a]
1. “Second Hand News” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-pUOZUUzgY]
2. “The Chain” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZlS-bICplE]
2. “The Chain” (courtesy of ArtistMrsKim)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hNdbyqL_g8]
3. “Dreams” -partial (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XonMp9DDIM]
5. “Rhiannon” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxxtI7OsWZU]
7. “Tusk” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By-7DFTFADw]
7. “Tusk” (courtesy of SKMDC777)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30-13I_NlCw]
8. “Sisters of the Moon” (courtesy of granitedog)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-YSel93ei4]
9. “Sara” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPr2GBFYKJg]
10. “Big Love” -partial (courtesy of Pablo Alcántara Bailey)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5eZrn3lBDY]
10. “Big Love” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekvn5gsqPnA]
10. “Big Love” (courtesy of ArtistMrsKim)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7IebcSVutQ]
11. “Landslide” – partial (courtesy of Pablo Alcántara Bailey)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJR9K432IR4]
11. “Landslide” – with dedication (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzmqewvya7Y]
12. “Never Going Back Again” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfvFlhsR97c]
14. “Gypsy” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4aMihBBr9s]
16. “Gold Dust Woman” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q2p8wwL5pU]
16. “Gold Dust Woman” (courtesy of Cin CA)
[youtube=http://youtu.be/35EQxchPwuI]
17. “I’m So Afraid” (courtesy of granitedog)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7dfCrexoos]
18. “Stand Back” (courtesy of DGB519)
[youtube=http://youtu.be/U09_m1TKGwE]
19. “Go Your Own Way” (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGeBzJHfugA]
21. “Don’t Stop” & introductions (courtesy of toolfansat)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS2s2sZ-TB8]
Special thanks to ArtistMrsKim, Pablo Alcántara Bailey, Carrie-Ellen Batcheller, Cin CA, granitedog, SKMDC777, and toolfansat for making these clips available.
