Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks dedicated the song “Landslide” to Adele on the opening night of the band’s UK tour.
The group played the first of a run of shows at London’s The O2 last night (May 27), with Nicks addressing the crowd mid-set to talk about her love of British singer, Adele. “She’s from here – you might know her,” commented Nicks. “She’s a fantastic songwriter… I told her ‘you’re going to be me in 40 years, you’re going to still be up onstage doing what you’re doing because of your songwriting’.” The song “Landslide” originally featured on the band’s self-titled 1975 album.
Fleetwood Mac were joined by keyboard player and songwriter Christine McVie, who is now a full-time member of the band again, after first appearing on stage with the group at the same London venue in September 2013 before officially rejoining in January 2014. McVie – who wrote some of the band’s most well known songs – left the band in 1998.
The band arrived onstage at 8.15pm and played a 22 song, hit-packed set to a sold out crowd. Opening with “The Chain,” it was followed by “You Make Loving Fun” after which Christine McVie commented: “Thanks very much London, it’s great to be here.” Stevie Nicks then explained that it was the 82nd show of their current tour. “And now on show 82 I think we can safely say that our girl is back!,” she added, gesturing to McVie.
Following “Rhiannon,” McVie addressed the crowd once more. “I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to be on the stage with these wonderful musicians who I consider my family,” she said. “You don’t get this chance many times in life – I got it twice.” The band then started a mass sing-along with “Everywhere.” Guitar player Lindsey Buckingham later spoke about “the return of the beautiful Christine” and called it “a karmic, circular moment”.
Later, for the songs “Over My Head” and “Gypsy,” drummer Mick Fleetwood swapped his large kit for a smaller one at the front of the stage, which Christine McVie referred to as a “cocktail kit”. During “World Turning” he embarked on an epic drum solo, much to the delight of the crowd. “Shit, this is a huge, massive place,” he remarked towards the end.
Following the show, both Adele and Florence And The Machine’s Florence Welch were pictured backstage with Stevie Nicks. See those photos beneath.
Leonie Cooper / NME (UK) May 28, 2015
