Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Review - Fleetwood Mac Live in Wichita, KS - March 31, 2015

Full Mac attack brings the hits to Wichita crowd
By Denise Neil
Kansas.com

The whole Fleetwood Mac lineup was at Intrust Bank Arena on Tuesday night to perform its library of hits for 12,000 appreciative fans.

But the member that original musicians Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood seemed to appreciate most was songbird Christine McVie, who has just rejoined the group after a 16-year absence.

Lead singer Nicks, noting early in the show that Wichita was the band’s 72nd stop on its tour that started last year, said that at the beginning of the tour, she used to welcome Christine McVie back at the top of each show.

“But now that we’re on show number 72, I think we can safely say she’s back,” Nicks said as the crowd cheered wildly.

The concert, a 22-song tour through the band’s almost 50-year career, showcased many of the songs the members wrote about their drama, fights and love triangles.

Now all in their 60s and 70s, the members seemed in sync and warm toward each other, a musical reminder that time heals.

“I think it’s safe to say that we are a band and a group of individuals who have seen its share of ups and downs, all, I’m afraid, very well-documented,” Buckingham said from the stage, adding that the group has also been able to “prevail through the good and the bad.”

The band opened with its 1977 hit “The Chain” from its album “Rumours.” The house lights went down, and after several anticipation-building minutes, the shadow of a woman in flowing clothes appeared.

When the lights went up, it was Nicks, dressed in her signature fringe, holding a scarf-laden tambourine with Buckingham to her left on guitar, Christine McVie to her right on keyboards and vocals, John McVie behind her on bass and Mick Fleetwood behind her with his drum set – bearded, ponytailed and energetic as ever.

The crowd members, most in their 30s through 60s, included some who stubbornly remained in their seats and others who stubbornly stood and danced, oblivious to who was behind them.

Highlights of the show included Nicks leading the group through two of its biggest hits, “Dreams” and “Rhiannon.” Her recognizable growl was still firmly intact, though she didn’t even attempt the high notes from days gone by on either song.

Christine McVie spoke a few times also, her velvet British accent adding some class to the proceedings as she introduced some of her songs, including the 1980s hits “Everywhere” and “Little Lies.”(Noticeably absent from the set list: “Songbird,” her big song from “Rumours.”)

When it was time for “Landslide,” the Nicks-penned hit from 1975, only one-time couple Nicks and Buckingham were on stage. Nicks dedicated the song to “girl power” and to two women in the Wichita crowd she said she had learned just before the show were distant relatives. In the pause before the final refrain, she and Buckingham briefly held hands, and she said something in his ear. He nodded in agreement.

Buckingham then launched into a solo, drawn-out version of “Never Going Back Again.” At the end, Nicks reappeared to back him up.

The group also performed hits “Gypsy,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Gold Dust.”

The encore was “World Turning,” “Don’t Stop” and “Silver Springs.”

RHIANNON

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't understand people that go to a rock concert and want to just sit and not move from their seat(s). This is not the opera, people! This is a music concert where dancing and cheering is not only expected but should be required! If you're too old to move from your seat, stay home and watch it on DVD when it gets released. You ruin the energy of the show for everyone else. Get up out of your seat!!

Anonymous said...

Ummm... It's Wichita... Not wiTchita

Unknown said...

I am twenty- three years old and I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan. This year has been one beyond my wildest dreams because I have had the opportunity to see Fleetwood Mac three times for their On With The Show Tour! I have seen them twice in Dallas and then drove 10 hours to Wichita this past week to see them again. (I am from central Louisiana.) I hated that so many people sat down during this show, I found it disrespectful. It definitely gave the atmosphere a different vibe than I experienced in Dallas each time. However, my mom and I were able to meet Mick in a VIP session, and to me that alone was worth the drive! (Even though I was nervous the whole time! Kind of crazy being face to face with one of your idols.) Mick, Stevie, Lindsey, John, and Christine thank you for helping me to believe in my dreams. You have inspired me more than you'll ever know. Love you, Kelsey

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