Thunder only happens when it’s raining: Fleetwood Mac performed for two hours in a storm.

If you’re planning on heading to Fleetwood Mac’s last show in Auckland tonight, listen to your Mum’s old advice and take an extra layer, even if you think you don’t need one.

Last night’s concert at Mt Smart Stadium saw thousands of Mac fans drenched in the beginnings of a storm, barrelled by wind and generally, just a bit miserable.

If you’re at all familiar with the wicked witchery of Stevie Nicks you’d be convinced the songstress brought last night’s storm on herself.

Fleetwood Mac’s Hollywood, Dream and many more songs hail the rain.

Take; “I don’t care for sunny weather / I like the change of seasons better / I love the feel of rain upon my face” and “Thunder only happens when it’s raining…When the rain washes you clean, you’ll know, you’ll know”.

And suddenly, despite the fact that everyone was soaked through and freezing cold, we were still dancing to the sounds of Lindsey Buckingham’s rock voice and insane guitar skills, Christine McVie’s fingers moving over the keys and her rasping voice belting out the songs, Mick Fleetwood bashing away at the drums and of course, Nicks’s higher register ringing through the stadium.

The lights, the slightly hazy images of Nicks’s tassled gypsy outfit as she spun in circles, the sound of thousands singing “Tell Me Lies” over the sound of rain, the eerie sound of Nicks and Buckingham’s voices on the long-held notes of “Rhiannon” while the wind blew – there was something kind of magical about it.

Nicks talked extensively about the All Blacks – because when in Rome – and Buckingham talked candidly about how the foursome had come through their hard times to still be together on stage now, and how it’d only made them stronger. And he and Stevie played on their old romances throughout the night, leaning in close, whispering to one another.

And McVie looked pleased as punch to be back, rejoining the group after missing the last tour.

However, conscious of the fact that we were all dripping wet, they kept the banter to a minimum and just smashed out hit after hit, all voices unfailingly on point, the crowd singing, dancing, swaying and spinning along with them.

Tonight is Fleetwood Mac’s last show of their tour, and they’re stoked to be ending it in “such a cultural place”.

I’d recommend you go, especially if the sky stays blue but if not, rug up warm.

Siena Yates / Fairfax New Zealand / Sunday, November 22, 2015

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