Concert Review: Fleetwood Mac, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, November 10, 2015
WELCOME back Chrissie.
Not that Fleetwood Mac didn’t play great shows in Christine McVie’s years out of the band. But her return for this tour brings so many big songs back to the party – from “You Make Loving Fun” to “Say You Love Me” and “Everywhere.”
Naturally this first Brisbane Entertainment Centre show last night was sold out – there are a few tickets left for a second tomorrow night.
You know what you are going to get, two-and-a-half hours, mostly of hits, plus some album favourites like “Gold Dust Woman.”
McVie retired from the band and missed their Australian tours in 2004 and 2009.
Last night she was in her element at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, as she has been throughout this world tour.
The addition of her songs, lead vocals and harmonies lifts the night to another level from their tours without her.
Mick Fleetwood and John McVie remain a powerhouse rhythm section, Lindsey Buckingham ensures the energy levels never flag despite this being show No.114 of a world tour, and Stevie Nicks’s voice remains a thing of crystalline wonder, from “Dreams” to “Rhiannon,” “Sara” and “Landslide.”
It’s a beautiful and tasteful visual production, but with this many big songs, they could play by torchlight and still hold our attention.
The band took time off as bass player John McVie was treated for cancer and wrap up this world tour with shows in Auckland a week from now.
But a new album is set for release next year so the extraordinary story of the band will continue as they approach their 50th anniversary.
Fleetwood Mac play Brisbane Entertainment Centre again tomorrow night.
(Editor’s note: Mick Fleetwood has confirmed that the band, except for Stevie Nicks, has recorded material for a new album, but the status of the release is unknown at this stage. Fleetwood Mac remains “hopeful” that the material will be released.)
Noel Mengel / The Courier Mail / Tuesday, November 10, 2015
