FULL COVERAGE: Fleetwood Mac rocks Las Vegas, healthy John McVie returns to the stage

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Fleetwood Mac returned to the big stage on Monday night, performing a year-end concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fans were pleasantly surprised to see the return of bassist John McVie, who had undergone cancer treatment earlier in the month. Looking well, McVie seemed to be in good spirits, playing his trademark riff during “The Chain” just as confidently as ever.

Fleetwood Mac reprised their summer set list, kicking off the show with their tried and true Rumours trifecta of “Second Hand News,” “Dreams,” and “The Chain.” The band played 7 of the original 11 songs from Rumours, plus the “Go Your Own Way” b-side “Silver Springs in all, skipping all but one of Christine McVie’s songs. They also performed “Sad Angel” and “Without You” from their Extended Play EP, which was released in April, as well as a selection of songs from 1975’s Fleetwood Mac, 1979’s Tusk, and 1982’s Mirage.

As expected, the concert attracted glamour, excitement, and celebrities to the vibrant Las Vegas New Year’s Eve scene. Extra! correspondent Mario Lopez was at the concert with his wife, Broadway dancer Courtney Mazza, and tweeted the following just before the show:

Ok.. @MGMGrand about to check out @fleetwoodmac w/ @CourtneyMLopez @IAmAbbeyWilson @gblanket @RealJoeFrancis ! Love me some Stevie Nicks….

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) December 31, 2013

Also ringing in the New Year in Las Vegas were singer-songwriters Katy Perry and John Mayer, who were enjoying the show backstage. Earlier this year, Stevie mentioned that Katy’s song “Roar” (currently nominated for Grammy’s Record of the Year) was one of her favorites. Stevie’s connection with John Mayer dates back to the beginning of his career when the once relatively unknown musician, then 24 years old, opened for Stevie at the 2001 Concert for Kids benefit in San Francisco. Stevie dedicated “Landslide” to both of them, which prompted John to tweet the following on behalf of Katy:

John here. Katy can't write because she's getting over Stevie Nicks dedicating Landslide to us at the Fleetwood Mac concert. Unforgettable.

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 31, 2013

Stevie had her own touching moment at the end of the show when Lindsey dedicated Fleetwood Mac’s 2003 “Say Goodbye” to her.

“Sometimes you need to cast away illusions in order to grow, Lindsey said. “And so as we move into the new year, a new, perhaps what I’m thinking, is a new set of possibilities. So I’m going to dedicate this song to this beautiful lady, who I’ve known since I was about 16 years old. She’s mad at me because I’m making it difficult for her to do the song. It’s OK, just do the best that you can. So this is for Stevie, this is called ‘Say Goodbye.'”

Stevie struggled to get through the last song, stopping at times and wiping away tears as she sang. After the song, she composed herself just enough to address the audience for one last sentiment, to tell them that they were “dream catchers” who, like the artists, emotionally and reciprocally invest in the life of their music. Stevie graciously thanked the audience for their continued support over the years.

Mick Fleetwood introduced his daughters Tessa and Ruby to the Las Vegas crowd and addressed them once more for a final goodbye.

Fleetwood Mac will close out the year at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with a private, invite-only show on New Year’s Eve. They will return to Las Vegas next month to headline the Monster’s CES Retailer Awards Party on January 8.

Videos

Second Hand News (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

The Chain (courtesy of Stevie Mac)

Rhiannon (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Rhiannon (courtesy of oldschooljim1)

Sisters of the Moon (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Sisters of the Moon (courtesy of Stevie Mac)

Sara (courtesy of Stevie Mac)

Big Love (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Landslide (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Landslide (courtesy of oldschooljerry1)

Never Going Back Again (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Without You (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Gypsy (courtesy of sdintn)

Gypsy (courtesy of Stevie Mac)

Eyes of the World (courtesy of Ken Hartsfield)

Gold Dust Woman (courtesy of Stevie Mac)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SALekLju-ck

I’m So Afraid – solo only (Hannah West)

World Turning – partial (courtesy of sdintn)

Band Intros (courtesy of BlogBrian)

Silver Springs (courtesy of Stevie Mac)

Say Goodbye – dedication (courtesy of Xxsilversprings11xX)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZhrfASAioc

Say Goodbye (courtesy of Filmmaker Gal)
http://youtu.be/Bnh4qRCLwLc

Say Goodbye (courtesy of Carly Michelle)

Live Tweeting

https://twitter.com/skyedanielsxxx/status/417867719225012225

Pre-show song at MGM Grand #fleetwoodmac show: "Stephanie" by #buckingham nicks.

— Jill Shaw (@mirisaunt) December 31, 2013

Waiting for Fleetwood Mac n Stevie Doll! @ MGM Grand Garden Arena http://t.co/6lOZYjcAez

— Kelly Mitchell (@KellyMitchell) December 31, 2013

"@MGMGrand: We are moments away from @FleetwoodMac #LIVEatMGM" Saw them at MGM last Spring! Great show!

— Joshua Williams (@williamsphotoky) December 31, 2013

@MGMGrand @fleetwoodmac concert about to start! pic.twitter.com/ugvm8AJOea

— Lon Pelton (@lhpelton) December 31, 2013

Ok.. @MGMGrand about to check out @fleetwoodmac w/ @CourtneyMLopez @IAmAbbeyWilson @gblanket @RealJoeFrancis ! Love me some Stevie Nicks….

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) December 31, 2013

The Mac is back #LiveAtMGM Fleetwood Mac bringing down the house @mgmgrand! pic.twitter.com/6Q8MQJPbIB

— Luxor Hotel & Casino (@LuxorLV) December 31, 2013

At the @MGMGrand for a little @fleetwoodmac #hitsfordays pic.twitter.com/4XIxInTonY

— Dana White (@danawhite) December 31, 2013

TWO WORDS: FLEETWOOD MAC!!!!!!!!! They are Amazing! Stevie Nicks!!!!!!! You're my hero!!!!!!! http://t.co/vJU6FDTNje

— Zhena Muzyka (@Mistressoftea) December 31, 2013

Damn, that woman can twirl in a shawl like nobody's business. #StevieNicks #fleetwoodmac #mgmgrand

— Jill Shaw (@mirisaunt) December 31, 2013

Rhiaaaaaaaanon just happened. So good! #FleetwoodMac

— Lisa Marie (@SwimCutieLMR) December 31, 2013

At the fleetwood mac concert pic.twitter.com/EHwV7l8s6p

— trevor (@TrevorBoydZemla) December 31, 2013

A lot of #classics being played tonight #LIVEatMGM @fleetwoodmac pic.twitter.com/yhwYSMzMGE

— MGM Grand Hotel (@MGMGrand) December 31, 2013

#fleetwoodmac #lindsaybuckingham #Stevieknicks @ MGM Grand Garden Arena http://t.co/7tUPtrOLQo

— Andrei Gillott (@AndreiGillott) December 31, 2013

A lot of #USC Trojans in the Fleetwood Mac audience #tusk

— Marcelle Hampton (@marcelleh) December 31, 2013

#FleetwoodMac #concert with gjacobs1780 @sjj2105 bethezda mjacobs22 #momgetinsta @ MGM Grand Garden Arena http://t.co/kBndZWDbxD

— Adam Jacobs (@arj9) December 31, 2013

@danawhite @MGMGrand @fleetwoodmac hard to believe Stevie Nicks is 65 hey. Still glows on stage.

— D.k.WentZ (@EveryDownRB) December 31, 2013

@danawhite I do what I can. Okay, now for my Landslide of goosebumps omg @fleetwoodmac

— ĸaтιe ғιѕнer (@kfish007girl) December 31, 2013

@MGMGrand watchin @fleetwoodmac @stevienicks Amazing & inspirational! oh, & we hear @danawhite is in the house @ufc pic.twitter.com/Ni5AAqoLXx

— Cilver (@CilverBand) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/TaylorRittman/status/417889319315984384

#landslide #fleetwoodmac #concert #stevienicks #lasvegas gjacobs1780 @sjj2105 bethezda mjacobs22… http://t.co/eTU2e8L6Ce

— Adam Jacobs (@arj9) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/brandonroque/status/417889671558234112

John here. Katy can't write because she's getting over Stevie Nicks dedicating Landslide to us at the Fleetwood Mac concert. Unforgettable.

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 31, 2013

If there's anything better than Stevie Nicks with a wind machine I haven't found it yet!!! #fleetwoodmac #vegas

— Samantha Howe (@howesocial) December 31, 2013

Gold Dust Woman was so intense…I'm pretty sure I was in a trance right along with #StevieNicks. #fleetwoodmac #mgmgrand

— Jill Shaw (@mirisaunt) December 31, 2013

Fleetwood Mac again. Enjoying the Vegas audience – lots of cowboy hats and long hair. pic.twitter.com/dBx7xlRSUD

— Matt Park (@mattpark) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/LegacyXonline/status/417900735913672704

Amazing performance! #GoYourOwnWay @fleetwoodmac #LIVEatMGM pic.twitter.com/ekzM3gOCUl

— MGM Grand Hotel (@MGMGrand) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/lirpakrap/status/417909062898954240

@caseyjames … @fleetwoodmac concert. Last song was "Don't Stop." 🙂 2.5 hrs and crowd won't let them stop! Amazing music! You'd love it!

— CynMN (@CyndeeMN) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/cmcmaster10/status/417911619000090624

#fleetwoodmac was amazingly epic! Loved it. #mgmgrand

— Jūstin (@Jhu0) December 31, 2013

https://twitter.com/Melo_Zen/status/417912810287276032

#FleetwoodMac at the #MGM #LasVegas . Simply sublime!

— Karen Hall (@KarenHall86) December 31, 2013

Back from Fleetwood Mac concert They did 4 encores! Stevie Nicks has not lost any of those pipes Amazing singing pic.twitter.com/p6I7aK3yJe

— Vicky (@jorjafoxluvr) December 31, 2013

Reviews

• Fleetwood Mac mines tangled past to capture the light (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• PHOTOS: Fleetwood Mac takes the stage at MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas Sun)

Related Articles

• Katy Perry left speechless after Stevie Nicks tribute (AZ Central)
• Katy Perry emotional after show (Belfast Telegraph)
• John Mayer hijacks girlfriend Katy Perry’s Twitter account after Stevie Nicks dedicates ‘Landslide’ to them (The Celebrity Cafe)
• See what happens when Stevie Nicks dedicates a song to you (MTV)

Las Vegas Set List

1. Second Hand News
2. The Chain
3. Dreams
4. Sad Angel
5. Rhiannon
6. Not That Funny
7. Tusk
8. Sisters of the Moon
9. Sara
10. Big Love
11. Landslide
12. Never Going Back Again
13. Without You
14. Gypsy
15. Eyes of the World
16. Gold Dust Woman
17. I’m So Afraid
18. Stand Back
19. Go Your Own Way
20. World Turning (encore)
21. Don’t Stop (encore)
22. Silver Springs (encore)
23. Say Goodbye (encore)