Tag: review

REVIEW: Rocking Rumours at Sunrise concert

With Christine McVie’s return, Fleetwood Mac’s musical chain is together, as good as ever at Sunrise concert

Finally, 16 years after playing her last gig with Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie is back in the band.

Hard to tell who seemed happier for her return, the fans or the band members. Drummer Mick Fleetwood said in a pre-concert interview with the Miami Herald that this enduring band’s autobiographical music has served as a soundtrack for its audience’s own similar experiences. Love, loss, joy, heartache.

“It’s astoundingly powerful that for the vast majority of that audience their lives are unfolding in their own world and we’re triggering that.”

These fans have made the superstar group’s On With the Show Tour one of the year’s top touring attractions. At Sunrise’s sold-out BB&T Center Friday night, a crowd of 16,000 or so lustily cheered reinvigorated classics like Rhiannon, Go Your Own Way and Landslide.

Immediately after the standard Fleetwood Mac opener, The Chain, fans got their first taste of McVie’s burgundy warm, bluesy alto, which, reassuringly, sounds much as it did on Rumours 38 years ago. “Sweet, wonderful you/You make me happy with the things you do,” she sang in the opening line of You Make Loving Fun, the fourth Top 10 single from the landmark Rumours album. Back then, the song was about her lover, the band’s former lighting director, whom she briefly turned to as her marriage to bass player John McVie ended. Now, the lyric seems directed at her fellow musicians, including her ex, as well as the fans.

“Usually I’d say, ‘Welcome back, Christine,’” a genuinely friendly, chatty Stevie Nicks said, referring to her previous stage patter early in the tour’s run. “But since this is the 39th show, we can safely say, ‘She’s back!’’’

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks’ ex and the subject of many of her songs like Dreams and Silver Springs — much as she is the subject of his biting numbers, Go Your Own Way, Never Going Back Again and Second Hand News — has always had a particularly symbiotic musical relationship with McVie. The chemistry in the way their voices intertwine — McVie’s out of British blues, Buckingham’s inspired by ’50s folk — on the blues-rock stomp of World Turning and the rock shuffle, Don’t Stop, proved intact.

A couple hours earlier, just after McVie’s power pop charmer, Everywhere, and his own edgy rocker, I Know I’m Not Wrong, Buckingham delivered Fleetwood Mac’s State of the Union. He singled out McVie for providing a reason to think about tomorrow.

“With her return I believe we begin a profound, poetic and prolific new chapter in the life of this band,” Buckingham said. Encouraging, and inspiring, given he’s 65, McVie’s 71, Nicks is 66 and the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are 67 and 69, respectively. Given how well these men and women performed, for nearly three hours, you fully believe Buckingham.

Indeed, McVie’s contribution is the necessary sunlight amid Nicks’ and Buckingham’s darker ruminations. This additional voice made the harmonies on her Say You Love Me, Over My Head and Little Lies, the latter done with considerably more edge and kick than its stuck-in-the-’80s studio version, as well as Nicks’ Dreams and Rhiannon, ring with clarity. She also seemed to have inspired the others to deliver the best vocal performances we’ve heard from anyone in this outfit since the Reagan administration.

Sure, Nicks has lost her top range on Dreams and Sisters of the Moon. Buckingham’s voice is deeper.

But Nicks sang full-bodied and in-tune throughout, including on her showcase Gold Dust Woman and Seven Wonders, reintroduced thanks to its prominent use last season for Nicks’ witch character on FX’s American Horror Story: Coven. She dedicated Landslide to a fan who held a sign that said she’d had a stroke and that her bucket list wish was to see a Fleetwood Mac concert. Nicks responded, “I feel it in my heart. You’re going to be just fine.”

Buckingham had a regained suppleness and adventure in his phrasing that gave fresh nuance to Never Going Back Again, Big Love and the anguished I’m So Afraid. His inventive lead guitar playing, Flamenco style on Big Love; blues on I’m So Afraid; or classic rock soloing on Go Your Own Way, all played without a pick, elevates him among the greatest to play the instrument.

After an expertly paced 150-minute set, closed by McVie’s trademark promise of undying love, Songbird, a clearly grateful Fleetwood roared, “And remember, the Mac is most definitely back.”

No doubt, at 100 percent.

Fleetwood Mac returns March 21 at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami. Follow @HowardCohen on Twitter.

FLEETWOOD MAC SET LIST

The Chain

You Make Loving Fun

Dreams

Second Hand News

Rhiannon

Everywhere

I Know I’m Not Wrong

Tusk

Sisters of the Moon

Say You Love Me

Seven Wonders

Big Love

Landslide

Never Going Back Again

Over My Head

Gypsy

Little Lies

Gold Dust Woman

I’m So Afraid

Go Your Own Way

Encores:

World Turning

Don’t Stop

Silver Springs

Songbird

Closing farewells from Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood.

Howard Cohen / Miami Herald / Saturday, December 20, 2014

December 20, 2014

VIDEOS 12/17: Philips Arena, Atlanta

Fleetwood Mac continued its tour of the Deep South on Wednesday night, performing at Philips Arena in Atlanta, the band’s 38th show of the tour. The band has two more shows remaining on Leg 1 of the “On with the Show” Tour, first a stop in Sunrise on Friday and the closing show in Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Stevie dedicated “Landslide” “for my father to all the beautiful women in Atlanta.”

[slideshow_deploy id=’33975′]

Videos

Special thanks to R Albert, cadon35, David Eckoff, LynnBerry, marykristalin, Jim Miller, and oldnitebaker for sharing these videos!

You Make Loving Fun (courtesy of R Albert)

Dreams (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCnWbkEj1Yk

Everywhere – short clip (courtesy of marykristalin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yneGABi8eAs

I Know I’m Not Wrong (courtesy of Jim Miller)

Tusk (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moRoGI7yj1Q

Sisters of the Moon (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP3VMcWkxVE

Say You Love Me (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IleS6I6_pz4

Say You Love Me (courtesy of Jim Miller)

Seven Wonders (courtesy of Jim Miller)

Big Love – partial (courtesy of LynnBerry)

Landslide (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8U8j0a2v8

Never Going Back Again – partial (courtesy of oldnitebaker)

Over My Head (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUfmN98wOEM

Gypsy – intro (Jim Miller)

Gypsy (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jM9VaEWkWQ

Little Lies – partial (courtesy of oldnitebaker)

Gold Dust Woman (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7v5nohwgR4

Go Your Own Way (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IleS6I6_pz4

World Turning (courtesy of cadon35)

World Turning – partial (courtesy of LynnBerry)

Don’t Stop (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGn5WWQ7ho

Don’t Stop (courtesy of David Eckoff)

Silver Springs (courtesy of R Albert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhNcu91enqo

Songbird (courtesy of David Eckoff)

Mick’s closing remarks (courtesy of David Eckoff

Reviews

A fresh, fun Fleetwood Mac dazzles Atlanta (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Set List

1. The Chain	13. Landslide
2. You Make Loving Fun	14. Never Going Back Again
3. Dreams	15. Over My Head
4. Second Hand News	16. Gypsy
5. Rhiannon	17. Little Lies
6. Everywhere	18. Gold Dust Woman
7. I Know I’m Not Wrong	19. I’m So Afraid
8. Tusk	20. Go Your Own Way
9. Sisters of the Moon	21. World Turning (encore 1)
10. Say You Love Me	22. Don’t Stop
11. Seven Wonders	23. Silver Springs
12. Big Love

December 18, 2014

REVIEW: Fresh, fun Fleetwood Mac dazzles Atlanta

Fleetwood Mac has never been considered a “fun” band.

Between the tempestuous relationships among its members and the differing opinions about musical direction over the decades, the collective of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham was never the cheeriest bunch.

Christine McVie (Photo: Robb Cohen)

But wow, did that drama make for some amazing music.

The band returned to the road in October after taking some off late last year for John McVie to combat cancer, and this time they had a secret weapon that has elevated Fleetwood Mac to a new level of vitality – Christine McVie.

Back with the gang after a 16-year gap, McVie, an unbelievable-looking 71, injected a palpable energy into the band, both by allowing them to further open their songbook and by providing Nicks with her perfect female vocal foil.

Lindsey Buckingham (Photo: Robb Cohen)

When was the last time you heard Nicks girlishly squeal, as she did when welcoming McVie with an enthusiastic, “She’s baaaaaack!”? For that matter, when was the last time Mac fans heard “You Make Loving Fun” and “Everywhere” played live (OK, it was 1997’s “The Dance” tour, but you get the point)?

From the moment part-time artist Fleetwood ushered in the band’s standard opener “The Chain” with his heartbeat bass drum, to more than 2 ½-hours later when McVie closed the show with her tingly “Songbird,” the show felt fresh and alive and yes…fun.

The sold-out crowd at Philips Arena Wednesday night erupted into cheers for McVie before the complete opening phrase of “You Make Loving Fun” – “Sweet wonderful you” – exited her mouth, setting the appreciative tone of the night.

John McVie (Photo: Robb Cohen)

Of course, the other major benefit of McVie’s return is her contributions as a vocalist. She added another layer of harmony to the silky “Dreams,” steered the sunshiny “Everywhere” and helped “Rihannon” breathe as Nicks donned a black shawl to drape over her jagged-edge black dress as she sang an invigorated version of the song.

While the female energy on stage resounded mightily, that isn’t to diminish the continued awesomeness of the band’s tortured musical genius, Buckingham.

Whether bouncing on the balls of his feet during “Second Hand News” or unleashing primal yells during “Tusk” – the band’s most polarizing song that was balanced by Fleetwood’s unrelenting beat and Christine McVie on accordion – the Twizzler-thin Buckingham was a riveting presence who sounded robust after shaking off some initial hoarseness.

Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham (Photo: Robb Cohen)

And what a hoot that at 65, he still has groupies who basked in his aura at the front of the stage and even requested a couple of his onstage towels.

By giving fans a well-paced, 24-song set, Fleetwood Mac was able to liberate its extensive catalog and demonstrate the differing tones each member brings to the forefront.

McVie’s sweet pop tendencies soared on “Say You Love Me,” Buckingham tore off a finger-blistering solo during “Big Love” that almost sounded symphonic and Nicks twirled and grinned during her ethereal “Gypsy,” after sharing a lengthy – yet interesting – story about its origin.

For a certain generation of Fleetwood Mac fans, the moments between Buckingham and Nicks prompt the greatest pangs of wistfulness. The twosome didn’t disappoint as they stood alone on stage for “Landslide,” with Nicks’ warble sounding poetically perfect and Buckingham’s gentle guitar strains lovely as always; the pair then stayed together for a hushed duet on “Never Going Back Again.”

Stevie Nicks (Photo: Robb Cohen)

With the full band back onstage (not that Buckingham ever leaves it), the easy-going, hip-shaking “Little Lies” led to Nicks’ defining moment of the show. She absolutely smoldered with sensuality as she snaked through “Gold Dust Woman,” saturating the song with an intensity not heard from her in years (the band’s 2013 appearance at Philips featured some fantastic moments, but none compared to this).

Eternal fan favorites “Go Your Own Way” – featuring Nicks in her traditional black top hat – and “Don’t Stop,” their anthem of cheerful optimism, provided the show with a final jolt, as did Fleetwood’s fluid drum solo in the middle of “World Turning.”

It’s almost a relief to know that Fleetwood Mac will be back at Philips Arena in March, because who wouldn’t want to see one of – if not the – best concert of the year one more time?

Yep, yesterday’s gone indeed and a new Mac has been born.

Melissa Ruggieri / Atlanta Journal Constitution / Thursday, December 18, 2014

December 18, 2014
REVIEW: Refueled Fleetwood Mac truck delivers again

Putting on a show to match the grandeur and longevity of Fleetwood Mac is a massive undertaking, but Stevie Nicks needed just a minute to personalize it for the crowd of mostly Coloradans in the sold-out Pepsi Center on Dec. 12, 2014.

“I have like a whole tribe here because one side of my family is all from Colorado,” Nicks said to a roaring audience in Denver. It was about an hour into the 35th performance of this “On With The Show” tour that marks the return of songbird/keyboardist Christine McVie to the stage — and the band — for the first time in 16 years.

Stevie Nicks sings”My great-great grandmother came across the Rocky Mountains in one of the last Indian massacres,” Nicks (left) added. “Seriously. And she crawled in the trunk (of a wagon train) and stayed there. And she was the only survivor. Strong woman.”

Nicks, who dedicated her tender “Landslide” to the 100 or so friends and family members — “my entire tribe” — in attendance, thus making the Colorado connection feel even stronger, certainly shares the strength of her ancestors.

McVie, Nicks and the male members of this lineup — frontman Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (the pair for whom the band is named) — also possess those staunch survival instincts long after all coming together in 1975.

This stunning show was a perfect example of that willingness to sustain a coexistence, finally blessed with the valuable missing piece of the puzzle that turns an already priceless picture into a beautiful work of pop art.

The fact that a wild-eyed drummer and a couple of exes can keep that romantic spark an integral part of a crammed songbook long after the final flicker of hope in their relationships was extinguished makes such a transformative accomplishment even more endearing.

Fleetwood Mac had toured and made one studio album — 2003’s Say You Will — since Christine McVie’s departure in 1998 (the year of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction), but had to feel a hole in their collective heart while passing the time trying to keep the band alive and staying involved with other projects.

The McQuintet — bolstered on this tour by three female backing vocalists and two male musicians — made up for all that lost time by covering much of the material that shaped them into what they still are today — a supersonic supergroup.

Once a formidable British blues project, the Buckingham-Nicks addition for the eponymous Fleetwood Mac album got the popularity ball rolling in 1975. And that record was well-represented on this set list by “Landslide,” “Rhiannon,” “Say You Love Me,” “Over My Head” and “I’m So Afraid,” followed by an energetic “World Turning” during the energetic first encore.

The latter song was driven by Fleetwood’s five-minute drum solo with eye-bulging whoops and hollers — “Are you with me?” — and a few riveting samples that proves the band remains relevant in the 21st century.

Even though the age of this fivesome totals 338 years, they acted nothing like old-timers during what these days is considered a marathon concert — more than two and a half hours — without an intermission.

Sure, most of them took needed breaks, and consistently solid but subdued bassist John McVie (Fleetwood called him the “backbone of Fleetwood Mac”) looked somewhat drained the year after undergoing cancer treatments.

But Buckingham’s manic vitality — and virtuosic, sleight-of-hand performance on acoustic and electric guitars — kept the showmanship and spirit at a high level. His work clothes this pleasant Friday evening were black leather jacket and blue jeans. They offset the exotic garb of a dressed-in-black Nicks, whose beguiling voice, bewitching glances and come-hiter hand gestures kept the audience under her spell.

In a distinguished tone, Fleetwood praised each of his band mates while presenting the group that needs no introduction during the first encore, including backing vocalists Sharon Celani, Stevvi Alexander and Lori Nicks (who’s divorced from Stevie’s brother), along with guitarist Neale Heywood and Brett Tuggle (keyboards, guitars).

The drummer who helped launch this band in 1967 with Peter Green also made sure his current axman — “one helluva guitar player” — got his due, saying of Buckingham, “I don’t know whether you, ladies and gents, have noticed that this gentleman on my left has not even left the stage if but for 30 seconds this evening.”
Lindsey Buckingham was the only member onstage during the acoustic “Big Love,” which was one of several songs — including a rollicking “Tusk” (with Christine on accordion) and the marvelously rearranged “Never Going Back Again” — that ended with him raising his guitar and throwing kisses to the crowd.

Of “Big Love,” the powerful number from 1987’s Tango in the Night that was a first-half highlight, he said, “I think it’s interesting because even though it’s not really one of the earliest songs, it represents a time, the making of the album was at a time when I was about ready to make a turn and make some changes, some adjustments in my life. … It began as kind of a contemplation on alienation, and I think it’s now, for me, become more of a meditation on the power and importance of change.”

Nicks (dedicating “Seven Wonders” to the creators of American Horror Story “for taking that song and all of Fleetwood Mac’s music to 60 million people” during last season’s Coven episodes) and Christine McVie (“Everywhere” and “Little Lies”) also dove into Tango in the Night territory. But what kept most of the 18,000 or so spectators on their feet throughout the 24-song show were nine of the 11 selections from the 1977 landmark Rumours album, starting off with “The Chain.”

That was followed in quick succession by “You Make Loving Fun” (with some hearty cheers for those so pleased to hear the woman whose birth name — Christine Anne Perfect — still seems appropriate), “Dreams” and “Second Hand News.” (Christine McVie performs at left.)

Nicks brought out the gold shawl and the age-defying dance moves for an 11-minute version of “Gold Dust Woman,” while “Go Your Own Way” and “Don’t Stop” attracted the most group sing-along participants.

Following “Go Your Own Way,” the fab five shared hugs and took a bow, Nicks holding a black top hat and the dapper Fleetwood a bright red one that matched the color of his stylish shoes. Returning for the first encore, Buckingham gave Nicks and Christine McVie soft, sweet kisses before he moved back into his rightful place as Guitar God.

It was almost like 1997 — the year of The Dance tour — all over again, when these same core band members returned to the stage after a long absence to play most of these same songs and made a magical evening in Denver happen — only then it was at McNichols Sports Arena.

How many bands can outlive arena-sized venues while — almost 40 years later — remaining basically intact and managing such masterful musicianship? Then dare to return to that same venue in another four months?

Only a year ago, Nicks was uncertain about the band’s future, keeping her fingers crossed that John McVie (right) would get healthy and that Christine was tiring of a life of leisure after making a couple of cameo appearances in Dublin and London.

“If Christine decides she wants to do it again, she will,” Nicks said during our interview on Dec. 3, 2013, for an article that appeared later that week. “If she looks deeply into it herself and says, ‘Oh my God, another five years with what I just saw them do, I can’t do it.’ You just don’t know. It’s totally up to her.”

After the final notes were played on Dec. 12, 2014, the loquacious Nicks grabbed the mic one final time to tell the crowd they were responsible — along with all the other Fleetwood Mac fans in the world — for making Christine’s return to the fold last January a reality.

“They say if you throw a wish like that up into the universe, that the universe conspires to make that happen; and honest to God … on that one day, the universe said OK, and sent a message down to Christine. …

“And we got our girl back.”

So count on McVie and the rest of Fleetwood Mac to come back in 2015, when they’ll perform throughout North America again — including an April 1 show in Denver (tickets went on sale Dec. 15) — before heading to Europe in May.

How far can they go this time? Among the numerous testimonials for Christine McVie during one of the final shows of 2014 came a most passionate prediction by Buckingham:

“In this particular moment now, in this particular moment, with the return of the beautiful Christine, with her return, I believe that we begin a profound, poetic and a prolific new chapter in the history of this band.”
With that, he tore into “I Know I’m Not Wrong,” punctuated by a searing solo and an eardrum-splitting scream of joy.

Loud and proud rang true, of course, but the lovely back-to-back Mac sentiments delivered by Nicks on “Silver Springs” and Christine McVie on “Songbird” (fittingly taking its place again as the show’s grand finale) are what ultimately will make them an everlasting symbol of endurance.

“Time casts a spell on you, but you won’t forget me” and “the songbirds keep singing” have never sounded better.

Set list: Dec. 12, 2014, at the Pepsi Center, Denver

1. “The Chain”
2. “You Make Loving Fun”
3. “Dreams”
4. “Second Hand News”
5. “Rhiannon”
6. “Everywhere”
7. “I Know I’m Not Wrong”
8. “Tusk”
9. “Sisters of the Moon”
10. “Say You Love Me”
11. “Seven Wonders”
12. “Big Love”
13. “Landslide”
14. “Never Going Back Again”
15. “Over My Head”
16. “Gypsy”
17. “Little Lies”
18. “Gold Dust Woman”
19. “I’m So Afraid”
20. “Go Your Own Way”

ENCORE

21. “World Turning”
22. “Don’t Stop”
23. “Silver Springs”

SECOND ENCORE

24. “Songbird”

All photos by Michael Bialas. Click here to see more photos of Fleetwood Mac at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Michael Bialas / Huffington Post / Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 16, 2014
REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac turns back time in nostalgic concert

With McVie in fine form, Fleetwood Mac turns back time in nostalgic concert.

Fleetwood Mac played to a sold-out adoring crowd at the Toyota Center on Monday night. Many in the audience saw the band on their 2013 World Tour in June. Our reviewer gave the concert a big thumbs-up, with a footnote that “Fleetwood Mac is not Fleetwood Mac without keyboardist/vocalist Christine McVie.”

This time around, a youthful looking 71-year-old McVie joined the band, and her energy and high spirits elevated the concert to another level.

(Photo: Jane Howze)

Every time McVie took the lead, the crowd roared — and the band itself seemed delighted to have their “beautiful Christine” back. With good reason. She soared in a powerful “Say That You Love Me” and “Over My Head” and provided spirited keyboards on “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”

Playing for nearly three hours to a mostly older yet energetic crowd (this was not your Eagles audience who meekly followed orders to stay seated), Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham and McVie shared lead vocals. Opening with “The Chain” written by all five band members from the classic album Rumours, McVie then launched into “You Make Loving Fun.” Her lyrical and earthy alto made it clear that while Fleetwood Mac has held up amazingly well given their ages, McVie adds a richer and more nuanced sound.

(Photo: Jane Howze)

Plus it allowed Nicks to harmonize and Buckingham to play his emotional guitar solos without having to be overly burdened with vocals.

Hits and cheering

With McVie back in the mix, the 24-song setlist shifted to songs recorded that they couldn’t perform without her in previous concerts. The hits and cheering never stopped.

Nicks’ version of “Rhiannon” in a lower key with a slightly different arrangement didn’t suit my taste. I’m not sure if the arrangement was because of her difficulty in hitting the high notes or was a way to mix it up. As she did at the last Houston concert, Nicks dedicated “Landslide” to a woman in the audience named Rhiannon who had survived a seemingly insurmountable health challenge.

(Photo: Jane Howze)

After Nicks sang “Seven Wonders,” she gave a shout out to American Horror Story: Coven, in which she made a cameo and featured the song earlier this year.

Buckingham, the youngster in the group at age 65, was the only band member who didn’t leave the stage. Before launching into “Big Love,” he joked with someone in the front row that “you were not born when we wrote this song.”

Nicks was her usual hippie self with scarves, high heeled boots and flowing clothing reminiscent of the ’70s with a long (too long) anecdote about her early days of shopping in a store frequented by Grace Slick and Janice Joplin called The Velvet Underground. She urged young audience members to pursue their dreams and then launched into to an extended “Gypsy.” With “Gold Dust Woman” she donned a gold shawl and twirled as John McVie (Christine’s ex) and Buckingham showed their respective keyboard and guitar prowess. The song conjured up an almost psychedelic experience.

(Photo: Jane Howze)

Other highlights included Buckingham on “I’m So Afraid” which brought an extended standing ovation after his show-stopping guitar solo and an energized “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”

The best surprise of the night was the second encore when a baby grand piano was rolled out for Christine McVie’s vulnerable and delicate “Songbird,” with Buckingham quietly backing her on guitar.

After the band took their final bow, Mick Fleetwood and Nicks returned (wearing a Christmas decoration on her head) to once again thank the fans, express happiness for having “young” Christine back in the band and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and, as Fleetwood said, “be kind to one another.”

(Photo: Jane Howze)

For those who “can’t stop thinking about tomorrow,” Fleetwood Mac will be back in Houston March 3, 2015 for another concert.

Jane Howze / Culture Map / Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 16, 2014

Fleetwood Mac – Toyota Center, Houston TX, 12/15/2014

Fleetwood Mac performed at the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday night, the 37th show of the tour. The band has three more shows this week before winding down for the holidays. The second leg of the On With The Show Tour will kick off at the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minneapolis on Friday, January 16.

Stevie dedicated “Landslide” to Rhiannon, a young woman who experienced medical adversity early in her life. “I’ve watched her grow up, and her name is Rhiannon. [The crowd cheers.] I know. She faced an amazing hell, [this] thing that she’s been fighting her whole life, and she’s just fought right through it, from this big [Stevie gestures low to the ground.] when I first met her. And she’s come right through it like this amazing woman that the mythological Rhiannon is and that this little Rhiannon is. So Rhiannon, this is for you tonight. This is ‘Landslide.’”

[slideshow_deploy id=’33569′]

The Mac's other members weren't shy about welcoming Christine McVie back into the fold. (Photo: Jack Gorman) — The Mac’s other members weren’t shy about welcoming Christine McVie back into the fold. (Photo: Jack Gorman)

Lindsey Buckingham: the higher the hair, the closer to God? (Photo: Jack Gorman)

Have Shawl, Will Travel: Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood (back) (Photo: Jack Gorman)

Videos

Special thanks to Doug Garner, dylanelsie 9, and Space City Shows for sharing these videos!

The Chain (courtesy of Doug Garner)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtOoFArlwMM

The Chain (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC4OaIhMBAs

You Make Loving Fun (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv6lWT9lz4g

Dreams (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfeQ_pWlNxg

Second Hand News (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3X2CZZzqBo

Rhiannon (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9arO8eQb6f0

Everywhere (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6bYev5qQkY

I Know I’m Not Wrong (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Xn7Omk_Lo

Sisters of the Moon (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZjAPtZCiM

Say You Love Me (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5ht51lPxk

Seven Wonders (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3lu5gmz7gE

Big Love (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni_ku7u7Sg8

Landslide with dedication (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPvjMh-ssto

Never Going Back Again (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbhUsS5w_20

Over My Head (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lcDVGAHuvA

Gypsy (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrSIMNEkYJk

Little Lies (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ep2d8hCtkA

Gold Dust Woman (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZAMBdAmEN4

I’m So Afraid (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6RofcGAc_U

Go Your Own Way (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOmX4IvlNnQ

World Turning (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fkTfdebGPg

Don’t Stop (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG-9hFvz6aA

Return for Encore 1 (courtesy of dylanelsie 9)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG06k19F9F4

Silver Springs (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et5jlQQQTH8

Songbird / Stevie’s closing speech (courtesy of Space City Shows)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyXupNkcsMk

Reviews

Fleetwood Mac thrills Toyota Center for two-plus hours (Houston Press)

Set List

1. The Chain	13. Landslide
2. You Make Loving Fun	14. Never Going Back Again
3. Dreams	15. Over My Head
4. Second Hand News	16. Gypsy
5. Rhiannon	17. Little Lies
6. Everywhere	18. Gold Dust Woman
7. I Know I’m Not Wrong	19. I’m So Afraid
8. Tusk	20. Go Your Own Way
9. Sisters of the Moon	21. World Turning (encore 1)
10. Say You Love Me	22. Don’t Stop
11. Seven Wonders	23. Silver Springs
12. Big Love	24. Songbird (encore 2)

Preshow Write-up

Why Fleetwood Mac Is Bigger Than Ever, Fleetwood Mac Music

Fleetwood Mac will be playing a very special show in Houston on Monday night. It’s special because it is the first time Christine McVie will be joining the band in a performance here since the early ’90s at least. For many younger fans, this is their first opportunity to see the band’s full classic lineup performing together.

And those younger fans? Well, there’s a lot of them — in fact, there may be more than ever. Against all odds, Fleetwood Mac has gone from a classic-rock band, relegated to bargain bins, to a thriving, relevant enterprise. Monday night’s show will be a celebration of that fact.
Of course, this has nothing to do with new music on the part of the band, or even anything particularly special they’ve done. Sure, it probably ignited a little bit of renewed interest when Stevie Nicks and all those witch rumors became a focal point of the last season of American Horror Story. But even then, Fleetwood Mac’s revival was rolling around beforehand.

It wasn’t releasing new music for the first time in a decade either. 2013’s Extended Play was Fleetwood Mac’s first newly released material since 2003’s Say You Will, a tepidly received album that missed the mark of their resurgence by years. While Extended Play was a welcome addition to their discography with some pretty solid songs on it, most younger fans probably never even noticed it came out.

No, the reason for their revival is indie rock and folk, which are massive these days. You can hardly go anywhere without hearing someone playing an acoustic guitar, once the sort of thing which was only ubiquitous in flashbacks to the long-forgotten era of hippies at parties noodling around on Beatles chords in clouds of weed smoke.

Bands like the Decemberists and City and Colour have brought Americana and folk into their indie-rock with astounding results. It’s practically a new genre, nothing like the indie rock of yesteryear, represented by bands like Pavement or Archers of Loaf. Much of it is indebted to one band, too: Fleetwood Mac.

The dual harmonies of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The bluesy, roots guitar from Buckingham, combined with the band’s technical proficiency and tendency towards hard-rock breakdowns in their Americana jams. It’s all there plain to see on Rumours, the modern blueprint for how to make a record like this.

The esteem of Rumours has always been great. It is one of the most lauded and greatest-selling records of all time. But where this sound had once fallen into disfavor, relegated to your parents’ mixtapes while the kids were out breaking bottles and losing their shit to punk rock and metal, it has recently become cool again for the first time in 30 years.

A song like “The Chain” is so profoundly influential on a band like the Decemberists that one could almost accuse them of ripping it off. Even songs on their other records like “Landslide” have gone from your mom’s favorite song to a legendary ballad held in esteem by singer-songwriter indie rockers around the world.

Dare I say it, my generation has all but abandoned the distorted guitars and revolutionary attitudes of metal to embrace plaid shirts and beautiful chord melodies. In essence, this is the Fleetwood Mac generation. Almost every twentysomething I know now adores the band and their inestimable influence on modern rock music.

When Fleetwood Mac plays in Houston on Monday, it will be the first show in our city as a full lineup in at least 20 years. But it will also be the first show they’ve played in Houston where their audience will be so vastly mixed. This isn’t going to be a classic rock show where the average age of the audience member is middle-aged. It will be a legacy show, where everyone from teenagers to people in their thirties will congregate to pay their respects to the fore bearers of a genre.

The Mac is back, and bigger than ever.

Fleetwood Mac performs Monday, December 15 at Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Corey Deiterman / Houston Press / Friday, December 12, 2014

December 16, 2014

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac thrills fans at Toyota Center

Fleetwood Mac thrills Fleetwood Mac fans new and old at Toyota Center for two-plus hours.

Fleetwood Mac
Toyota Center
December 15, 2014

The Mac Attack is Back! And with the Songbird back in the nest, the Chain has been reforged, and seems stronger than ever.

Okay, that may be a little heavy on the symbols and metaphors. But it’s hard to overestimate the importance the Fleetwood Mac’s return to its classic mid-’70s to mid-’80s lineup of Lindsey Buckingham (vocals/guitar), Stevie Nicks (vocals), namesake rhythm section Mick Fleetwood (drums) and John McVie (bass), and returning vocalist/keyboardist Christine McVie.

So many references were made by other band members onstage to McVie’s unlikely and never-thought-possible comeback after 16 years (she had retired to her English castle, vowing never to make music again), that no one would have blamed her for blushing, even nearly 40 dates into this reunion tour.

Lindsey Buckingham: the higher the hair, the closer to God? (Photo: Jack Gorman)

Every classic-rock band of any importance or longevity has gone through lineup changes — including Fleetwood Mac, whose origins stretch back to 1967 as a straight-up, all-English blues band. But there just seems something so…right about this lineup reconstituting. Take out any one of the five, and it’s just not the same.

And for more than 2.5 hours, Fleetwood Mac put on a vibrant, strident, joyous show that was no robotic walk through the Greatest Hits. And they had the sold-out Toyota Center shaking, with even most of those on the floor standing up for the bulk of the set.

Opening appropriately with the band-of-brothers-and-sister anthem “The Chain” to a rapturous welcome, the band played a seemingly never-ending string of favorites. The included a whopping nine of the 11 tracks from their career apex Rumours, and that album’s haunting B-side “Silver Springs.”

The Mac’s other members weren’t shy about welcoming Christine McVie back into the fold. (Photo: Jack Gorman)

They also found set list space for a couple of deeper cuts from the more experimental 1979 double album Tusk (“I Know I’m Not Wrong,” “Sisters of the Moon”), possibly to the exclusion of bigger hits “Sara” and “Hold Me” from the set list. Other highlights included a slinky “Dreams,” buoyant “Say You Love Me,” and hard-charging “I’m So Afraid.” The band was augmented by three backup singers and two keyboardists/guitarists, tucked up on risers at the back of the stage.

Nicks dedicated a lush “Landslide” — performed by just her and Buckingham on guitar accompaniment — to a real-life Rhiannon in the audience who had/was facing some unexplained life challenge. She was likely not the only audience member either named for or conceived by that Tale of a Welsh Witch.

A handful of numbers were rejiggered from their album arrangements to great effect. Buckingham’s “Big Love” went from a more pop tune (with the orgiastic “oohs” and “aahs” of the chorus) into a howling, guitar-drenched cry of pain. Its author told the crowd that the track’s meaning for him had changed since its 1987 appearance on Tango in the Night.

“This song was about contemplation in alienation…and now it’s a meditation on the importance of change” he told the audience and — pointing to one close by younger member — “written before you were even born.”

Nicks’ cocaine elegy “Gold Dust Woman” turned into a far heavier, extended jam. It featured one of Nicks’ trademark stage twirls, all long blonde hair, scarves, and glittering shawl batwings. And while she pulled out her trademark stage moves more sparingly (being a 66-year-old in high heels and all), the audience went apeshit every time she turned.

This was no robotic walk through the greatest hits. (Photo: Jack Gorman)

She also turned out to be the night’s most chatty storyteller, introducing “Gypsy” with a mini-history lesson of her and Buckingham’s adventures first as teenagers in high school, then band partners in L.A. and San Francisco in the late ’70s, where the duo opened for acts like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Chicago.

For all the romantic soap opera that has been the band’s history with its members being together, separated, divorced, and changing partners, it’s clear this particular pair still have an unshakeable bond between them that’s neither forced nor fake.

All five had a sinewy energy about them belling their chronological ages, especially the super lean Christine McVie (who Nicks said has been “working out with a trainer every day since February”) and stage-stalking Buckingham, both in skinny jeans.

There were, as expected, some concessions to age among the band’s three singers. Christine McVie’s voice is a bit sharper, sometimes removed from its warmer tones; Nicks’ is a bit more gravelly, and Buckingham worked to make his upper register.

But these are all minor observances, and in fact, actually add to the songs, making them more lived-in and reflective of history.

When Nicks offered the wistful line “But time makes you bolder/ Even children get older/ And I’m getting older too” on “Landslide” (written in 1973!), it clearly struck a chord with both band and audience. And the vocals could have actually been turned up a bit higher in the mix throughout the show.

A slowed-down “Never Going Back Again” brought some more regret into the lyrics. And even Buckingham’s well-worn kiss-off “Go Your Own Way” had a visceral power live that belied its FM-radio overplaying. [Note: this paragraph has been edited after publication.]
The evening came to a close with a rousing “Don’t Stop,” though one can’t help by mentally picture a certain political power couple with the track playing now, and an elegant, heartbreaking “Silver Springs.” Then, fittingly, Christine McVie returned to a grand piano to play the strains of “Songbird.”

In it, the avian of the title “knows the score.” And the score – brought home with Nicks and Fleetwood’s touchingly personal post-song address to the audience about the current reformation – is that the band has started a new chapter in its ever-unfolding book.

The quintet are already working on new material for an upcoming studio album, and a second Houston date has been added for March 3 of next year. Get your tickets…now.

Personal Bias: Longtime fan, and not just of this lineup. And I credit seeing a Mac show in Austin in the late ’80s (sans Buckingham, but with Rick Vito and Billy Burnette) with starting me on a music-journalism path.

The Crowd: Wider-range of ages than most classic-rock shows, from twentysomethings to sixtysomethings. A handful of shawled Stevie wannabes; Lots of couples.

Overheard in the Crowd: “I hope they do ‘Sara,’ but they probably won’t. It’s not a song really meant for concerts.”

Random Notebook Dump: Lindsey’s high, brillo hair is looking more Art Garfunkelesque all the time.

SET LIST

The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
Dreams
Second Hand News
Rhiannon
Everywhere
I Know I’m Not Wrong
Tusk
Sisters of the Moon
Say You Love Me
Seven Wonders
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Over My Head
Gypsy
Little Lies
Gold Dust Woman
I’m So Afraid
Go Your Own Way

ENCORE
World Turning (w/Fleetwood drum solo)
Don’t Stop
Silver Springs

ENCORE 2
Songbird

Bob Ruggiero / Houston Press / Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 16, 2014
REVIEW: Toyota Center crowd has lovin’ fun with FMac

Never underestimate the power of the Mac.

Three songs into Monday night’s set at Toyota Center, Stevie Nicks promised the crowd she would “get this party started!” Until then, Fleetwood Mac had been pleasing and mostly polite: anthem-ic kickoff “The Chain,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Dreams” shifted to a lower key.

But something kicked into gear with “Second Hand News.” Lindsey Buckingham ripped into the song, all wild eyes and stomping feet. It reverberated through the sold-out crowd and energized Nicks’ take on “Rhiannon.” The party had indeed started.

Christine McVie, who rejoined the band after a 15-year absence, was still soulful and sweet on “Everywhere,” which benefited from a punchy arrangement.

“Now she’s been here, and it’s almost 40 shows. And now I think she’s gonna stay,” Nicks quipped. The band returns in March for another Toyota Center show.

The enduring allure of Fleetwood Mac has been the story behind the music. The core unit Buckingham, Nicks, John McVie, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood – has continued to thrive both in spite and because of its tempestuous history.

Buckingham played up the sentiment, saying the band’s success is its ability “to continue to prevail through the good times and the bad.” He called Christine McVie’s reappearance “the beginning of a poetic, a profound and a beautiful new chapter.”

For now, though, it was about the music.

Nicks introduced “Gypsy” with a lengthy story about meeting Buckingham, shopping for rock-star clothes and opening shows for Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“Are you listening over there?” she asked him.

And, yes, something sweet and magical still happens when Nicks’ croons about getting older and snow-covered hills during “Landslide.” The entire venue seemed to sigh in unison.

Joey Guerra / Houston Chronicle / Tuesday, December 15, 2014

December 15, 2014

VIDEOS 12/14: American Airlines Center, Dallas

Fleetwood Mac performed at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sunday night, the 36th show of the tour.

Stevie dedicated “Landslide” to her friend Nicky Young, who was in the Dallas crowd.

Videos

Special thanks to Dallas Daniels, deserage, dylanelsie 9, Bruno Giraldo, joncgif12, and wheredatbass for sharing these videos!

The Chain (courtesy of deserage)

Dreams (courtesy of Bruno Giraldo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUljFJV_jo0

Everywhere (courtesy of Bruno Giraldo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw59L7GOnPg

Tusk (courtesy of wheredatbass)

Landslide with dedication (courtesy of Bruno Giraldo)

Landslide (courtesy of Bruno Giraldo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rjt8bH1lHU

Landslide (courtesy of Dallas Daniels)

Lindsey chats with fans before Gypsy (courtesy of dylanelsie 9)

Gold Dust Woman (courtesy of wheredatbass)

Go Your Own Way (courtesy of Bruno Giraldo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxqEEkZKX5s

Return to stage for World Turning (courtesy of dylanelsie 9)

Don’t Stop (courtesy of joncgif12)

Reviews

Fully-staffed Fleetwood Mac takes adoring Dallas crowd on a roller coaster ride (Dallas Morning News)

Set List

1. The Chain	13. Landslide
2. You Make Loving Fun	14. Never Going Back Again
3. Dreams	15. Over My Head
4. Second Hand News	16. Gypsy
5. Rhiannon	17. Little Lies
6. Everywhere	18. Gold Dust Woman
7. I Know I’m Not Wrong	19. I’m So Afraid
8. Tusk	20. Go Your Own Way
9. Sisters of the Moon	21. World Turning (encore 1)
10. Say You Love Me	22. Don’t Stop
11. Seven Wonders	23. Silver Springs
12. Big Love	24. Songbird (encore 2)

December 15, 2014

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac takes Dallas crowd on fun ride

Fully-staffed Fleetwood Mac takes adoring Dallas crowd on a roller-coaster ride at American Airlines show.

Fleetwood Mac comprises former lovers, ex spouses, longtime friends and a tumultuous biography. Like any musical group that has survived decades of ups and downs, the members must constantly work at it to recapture their old chemistry.

That workmanlike spirit helped to define the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s sold-out show on Sunday night at American Airlines Center. Rejoined by vital vocalist and keyboardist Christine McVie after her 16-year-touring hiatus, the Mac leaned in admirably through a two-hour-plus performance that veered from soul-soothing to serviceable and back again.

Understandably, much fanfare was made of McVie’s return: Her warm, familiar vocals provided several highlights, from the smoky seduction of “You Make Loving Fun” to the melodic bliss of ’80s smashes “Everywhere” and “Little Lies.” Despite her solid performance, McVie was never one to bask in the spotlight.

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, however, were more than happy to soak up the love of the audience on Sunday. With McVie on keys, her ex-husband, John, on bass and Mick Fleetwood behind his drums for most of the evening, it was up to the group’s two relative “newbies” to do the crowd work.

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac (Jason Janik)

Buckingham kept the folks up front entertained by harnessing a twenty-something’s energy, frequently screaming out lyrical lines and jumping into rock-god postures. Nicks was simply herself — a twirling and swaying mystical sage armed with raspy power pipes and a streamer-clad tambourine.

When the band took the stage to kick things off with “The Chain,” the entire arena leapt to its feet and folks around me were pointing out Nicks to each other (“There she is!”). The three vocalists, embellished by a set of backup singers, took a full verse and chorus to fully find their harmonic sweet spot.

Nicks continued to get better and better throughout the night, at first avoiding the highest notes on “Dreams” and “Rhiannon,” but later reaching the mountaintops on “Gypsy” and the spine-tingling classic, “Gold Dust Woman.” She and Buckingham shined during what was essentially an intermission for the rest of the band — a three-song mini-set consisting of “Big Love,” “Landslide” and “Never Going Back Again.” All spotlighted Buckingham’s acoustic finger-picking skills, while the middle song benefited from Nicks’ refreshingly unsentimental vocal delivery.

As other legacy bands are wont to do, Fleetwood Mac’s players introduced a few of their songs by recalling elements of the band’s backstory. Nicks charmed while explaining the origins of the first line of “Gypsy.” Buckingham spoke to how certain tunes’ meanings have changed for him over the years. McVie got the biggest laugh of the evening while introducing “Over My Head”: “This goes back to the days when John and I were still married. Remember that, John?”

Thirty or so dates into their current tour, now might be a good time for the Mac to consider making a few edits. For instance, unnecessary drum and guitar solos during “I’m So Afraid” significantly slowed down the pace toward the end of the show, a point when most acts would try to speed it up. And then came another odd drum solo during the encore set. Fleetwood shut his eyes, played a variety of rhythms and screamed at the crowd like a madman — it seemed indulgent, even if it might have given folks one more chance to hit the beer stands.

My few complaints probably won’t register with diehard fans of Fleetwood Mac. Anyone who delights in the band’s unique blend of creative voices would have been thrilled to hear Buckingham toast “a poetic, profound and prolific new chapter” from the stage.

A new album is expected next year, as well as a second leg of the On With the Show tour (it returns to AAC on March 4). If that means I’ll get to see Nicks twirl in the shadows one more time, sign me up.

Hunter Hauk / Dallas Morning News / Monday, December 15, 2014

December 15, 2014

Tag: review

With Christine McVie’s return, Fleetwood Mac’s musical chain is together, as good as ever at Sunrise concert

Videos

Reviews

Set List

With McVie in fine form, Fleetwood Mac turns back time in nostalgic concert.

Videos

Reviews

Set List

Preshow Write-up

Fleetwood Mac thrills Fleetwood Mac fans new and old at Toyota Center for two-plus hours.

Videos

Reviews

Set List

Fully-staffed Fleetwood Mac takes adoring Dallas crowd on a roller-coaster ride at American Airlines show.