Fleetwood Mac at Tacoma Dome with Christine McVie like a family reunion
[slideshow_deploy id=’28681′]With the return of singer-pianist Christine McVie after a 16-year absence, a re-energized Fleetwood Mac wowed a near-capacity crowd with a powerful, sometimes explosive concert Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Tacoma Dome.
“Our songbird has returned,” drummer Mick Fleetwood proclaimed gleefully in a nearly three-hour show packed with such classic songs as “Dreams,” “Second Hand News,” “Sisters of the Moon,” “Rhiannon,” “Gold Dust” and “Go Your Own Way.”
Indeed, McVie’s spotlight performance of “Songbird,” with accompaniment by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, was the soaring finale in a triumphant show celebrating her return. Despite her many years off the road, McVie, 71, sounded as though she had never left.
She was clearly an inspiration to her fellow bandmates, who treated the show like a family reunion. The crowd cheered as she sang, “This feeling follows me wherever I go,” from “You Make Loving Fun,” bringing back memories of the band’s heyday for an audience dominated by exuberant baby boomers.
“Welcome back, Chris,” said singer Stevie Nicks, who joined McVie on songs they had not sung together in more than a decade.
Rounding out the veteran rock band were longtime bassist John McVie, as well as three background singers and an additional guitarist and keyboardist.
The show featured dreamy, sometimes eye-popping videos and neon-colored lighting. Musically, there were many special moments.
Buckingham reprised his vigorous, guitar-driven song, “Big Love,” explaining that its focus had changed over the years to reflect his changing view of the world and greater maturity. The ominous-sounding “Tusk” featured Christine McVie on accordion, though her playing was somewhat lost in the mix of instruments.
Explaining that “Landslide” was one of her father’s favorite songs, Nicks dedicated the haunting tune to several women in the audience and dedicated “Gypsy” to young people who choose to believe in themselves and follow a dream.
During “World Turning,” the opening song of a first encore, Fleetwood offered an explosive drum solo.
Before leaving the stage, Fleetwood delivered an impassioned message to fans, thanking them for years of support, urging them to take care of one another and promising many more shows to come.
“The Mac is definitely back,” he bellowed.
Gene Stout / Seattle Times / Friday, November 21, 2014
