The title of Fleetwood Mac’s 15-month world tour ‘On With The Show’ felt especially fitting as the heavens opened above Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland last night in a pre-summer monsoon.
But the rain did little to dampen the spirits of the 38,000 people who’d turned out for the second to last night of the tour – the biggest crowd the legendary five-piece have played to since they reunited in September last year.
The audience might have been getting soaked, but for many this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie all together once more, and they were ready to let the rain wash them clean, go their own way, and break some chains.
And so were Fleetwood Mac. Their two-hour set was laden with hits, and right from opener “The Chain,” it was clear the five longtime bandmates and one-time lovers have put the years of turbulence well behind them, and now delight in giving these songs a truly heartfelt rendition.
There was no sign of any lagging energy from the group, who are now all close to 70.
In fact they seem invigorated by the tour, with Buckingham especially spirited, occasionally prowling round the stage like a big cat as he led with his guitar, and Stevie Nicks as other-worldly and vivacious as ever with her husky tones and gothic gypsy-queen outfit.
Their mid-set stripped back numbers together, “Landslide” and “Never Going Back Again,” were beautifully tender, while Buckingham’s “Big Love” solo was a stormer.
It was a particular highlight to see McVie come out from behind the keyboard for “Everywhere.” And her piano-accordion playing on “Tusk” was a wonderfully eccentric addition to the song.
Huge singalongs are what Fleetwood Mac has always done best, though, and last night was no exception with “Dreams,” “Little Lies” and “Go Your Own Way” providing the high points.
With so many hits already fired from the cannon, the crowd was curious to hear what the encore would bring, but it was a pleasure to see Fleetwood become a wild cave man drummer on “World Turning,” and it wouldn’t have been a complete evening without “Don’t Stop” or “Silver Springs.”
To top it all off, hearing McVie sing “Songbird” was a perfectly poignant end to an incredible concert.
Fleetwood Mac play Mt Smart Stadium once more tomorrow night, and there are still select tickets available.
Lydia Jenkin / New Zealand Herald / Sunday, November 22, 2015
