REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac Live in NYC "Lindsey's Back Spasms"

Fleetwood Mac at Madison Square Garden: Backstage Pass

by Michele Romero

Entertainment Weekly

Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was the very first album I heard as a kid that made me lust for music and obsessively watch the dust collect on the record needle as it picked sound up out of those waxed grooves. Therefore, I have loved this band forever.

Last night, the famously tumultuous group, who have reformed (minus Christine McVie) for a greatest hits tour called "Unleashed," did just that at Madison Square Garden, and I was lucky enough to be tenth-row center on the floor.

I was mesmerized watching guitarist Lindsey Buckingham's fingers pick out notes on songs that everyone knows by heart ("Dreams," "Landslide," "Tusk," "Go Your Own Way") but also just crying my eyes out with gratitude watching this virtuoso working so hard right in front of me that I could see him wince in pain and grab his back to quell a spasm after every few songs (the dude is almost 60).

Stevie, in contrast -- all wrapped in her cocoon of black and maroon scarves -- could just effortlessly mouth the words "Sara" or "Gypsy" into the mic and melt ice. She is the only person in the universe with that voice and I'm grateful she and Lindsey met up in High School back in 1965, as Stevie reminded the crowd while sharing an impassioned lesson in Fleetwood Mac history. Also? This band opened for Janis Joplin and played on the same stage as Jimi Hendrix in San Francisco.

Mick Fleetwood is still sporting those little dangling fabric balls on his trousers, a la the Rumours album cover, which made me wonder if he just wears them all the time (awkward meeting new people like that) and he pounded that drum kit all night like he was made out of Viagra.

I ended up backstage with Stevie Nicks (connections!) at the end of the show and petted her dogs, including an elderly Yorkie who barked at us as if we were in his dressing room and we should get out now. Scarves hung about the space, and I spied boxes of blonde hair color peeking out of a drawer in an equipment case that said "Stevie" in pink spray-painted letters. I was too shy to say hello but wish I had said thank you. So, thank you, Stevie!

What was the first record that started your love of music -- you know, the one you played 1000 times until it broke and you had to get a new one? Was Rumours one of them?

REVIEW: For Fleetwood Mac, it was a night of fun at the Garden

Band's 'Unleashed' Tour stops at Atlantic City Saturday

BY JASMINE MARCUS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

"Every time we come together it's different," Fleetwood Mac guitarist and lead singer Lindsey Buckingham told the audience at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. "This time, we said, ‘Let's just go out there and have fun!' We're going to play songs we all love a lot."

The show was one stop on the band's "Unleashed" tour, which will hit Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday. Since the band has no new album to promote, unlike 2003-2004's "Say You Will" tour, the nearly-three-hour long concert was able to include virtually all of Fleetwood Mac's most popular songs, including "The Chain," "Say That You Love Me" and "Tusk."

The set also included some lesser-known songs, such as "Storms," which lead-singer Stevie Nicks told the audience the band had never performed at a concert before.

Nicks seemed to be in an especially talkative mood, sharing personal anecdotes with the audience before launching into several of the band's songs.

She admitted that she teared up earlier in the day when she brought a fifth-grade choir up on stage to sing "Landslide" before her. Nicks said she had cried similarly after hearing how beautifully Buckingham played the guitar portion of the song for the first time after she had written it.

The audience seemed similarly moved as they sang along with the lyrics, creating a kind of duet.

Nicks also recounted the story of being asked to join Buckingham's band nearly two years after the pair had met briefly in a California high school when she was a senior and he was a junior.

"They said, ‘Want to be in the band?' - which of course, I didn't know existed - and I said, ‘Sure ... what type of music is it?' and they told me it was rock and roll, so I said, ‘I can do it!'"

The song "Gypsy" was written about her early years playing with him and later with Fleetwood Mac, which the couple joined in 1975, as the band gained popularity and opened for many big names.

Most fans know that during these years Nick and Buckingham dated, and the turmoil of their eventual break-up inspired many of the songs on their most popular album, 1977's Rumours. At the time, Rumours was the best-selling album in history, with 17 million copies sold.

Buckingham acknowledged the band's previous turbulence, saying, "We've had a fairly complex, convoluted, emotional history ... But in the long run, it's actually worked out in our favor."

Now, about 40 years later, while songs such as "Go Your Own Way" remain just as powerful, the wounds between the two seem to have healed. Throughout the show, he and Nicks repeatedly turned to face each other as they sang, at one point even embracing in front of the crowd.

Drummer Mick Fleetwood seemed similarly excited to be back on stage, smiling manically and at one point, leading the enthusiastic crowd in a round of back and forth gibberish.

Bassist John McVie, however, who was introduced by Fleetwood as the band's "backbone," seemed content to remain outside of the spotlight while playing the songs' catchy basslines.

Missing from the band's long-time line-up was keyboardist Christine McVie, John's ex-wife, who decided to quit touring with the band in the late 1990s. Although rumors swirled that she might be replaced on this tour with singer Sheryl Crow, her vocals were instead sung by Nicks and her keyboard duties were taken up by a man with an ironically similar shag haircut.

But watching Nicks' bewitching performance, one could barely sense the loss of the band's second woman. Nicks floated and fluttered onstage, beating her tambourine and moving her hands as though she were the witch in her song "Rhiannon" casting spells on the audience.

Perhaps one of the most spellbinding moments of the performance, however, took place during a different song. With the light shining down on her as she turned her back to the audience to show her long, flowing golden hair and shawl, Nicks became the physical embodiment of the "Gold Dust Woman" as she sang.

In fact the band's best performances of the night were those that included Nicks singing her own poetic lyrics, while Buckingham accompanied her superbly on his guitar and Fleetwood and McVie creating a stirring backbeat.

Fleetwood Mac seemed so enthralled by the audience that after playing a three-song encore that included Bill Clinton's one-time campaign song, "Don't Stop," the band returned for a second encore to sing a beautiful rendition of "Silver Spring."

The song seemed a fitting way to close out the show, with Nicks belting out, "You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you."

How lucky we are for that.

JUNE 1977 IN FLEETWOOD MAC HISTORY

"Dreams" No.1

Rumours 3x Platinum!

June 1977 is a big month in Fleetwood Mac's history. Only one single "Dreams" has reached the summit of Billboard Magazines Hot 100. This image of the June 18, 1977 issue of Billoard Magazine shows "Dreams" in it's 10th week on the chart sitting nicely at the top of the heap. "Rumours" the album was sitting at No.1 on Billboards Top 200 Albums Chart.

The following week in Billboard the full back page of the magazine was dedicated to the announcement that "Rumours" was certified 3 x platinum in the US (3 million units) in it's 18th week of release.

(PHOTOS) FLEETWOOD MAC VANCOUVER MAY 15TH

AWESEOME Vancouver shots from May 15th:

Photos by: Stephen Dyrgas

SLIDE SHOW

(PHOTOS) Fleetwood Mac Live in New York City - June 11, 2009

Fleetwood Mac Live at Madison Square Garden

22 photos

Photos by: TimmyGUNZ

SLIDE SHOW

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac Live in New York City at Madison Square Garden

Fleetwood Mac Live at Madison Square Garden: 
June 11, 2009

New York Stevie Knicks

Musicsnobbery.com

Tonight, everybody at MSG tapped into their inner-Stevie. So I broke out my long flowing black dress, healing crystals and yards of excess fabric to be one with Stevie.

Fleetwood Mac is taking their second trip across America this year. They are calling it "The Hits" tour -- meaning they are not going to bore you with new songs. That sounds good enough of a marketing ploy to me. I figured I need to see the legendary band before they needed wheelchairs to get on stage. It also helped that the recession era price was $50 for cheap seats ... which got upgraded to the 100 level because it was undersold. Holla!

With the lack of Christie McVie on this tour, you're not going to "You Make Loving Fun," "Little Lies" or "Hold Me". Man, if they broke out "Edge of Seventeen" the place might have exploded.

Some of my favorite performancesfrom the night included the drum-heavy march of "Tusk". Although to get the full effect, they need to hire a local marching band to recreate the USC marching band power. Loved "Gold Dust Women" with Stevie being Stevie. Then you have Mick Fleetwood's extended drum solo for "World Turning" where he speaks in tongue and chants. As the elder statesmen of the band, he looks like Papa Smurf and Ernest Hemingway

I knew I was going have a good time and I did. The show is straight forward with no surprises or extraneous bells and whistles. The stage set-up was minimalist, with rotating panels hovering over the stage reflecting simple patterns and colors. Even Lindsey Buckingham acknowledged on this tour that theyjust wanted to go out and have fun. The underline to that is "and make some easy money." I can dig it, because the show was great.

There was a moment where I saw some authenticity. With these veteran acts like The Eagles, Neil Diamond or The Who, each show is carefully choreographed and pre-planned. You're going to see the same set-up in NYC as you would in Atlantic City. So the one moment we got is where Stevie is singing Landslide, one of the most perfect songs ever. She looks over at Lindsey and she raises her eyebrow as if to say "You still with me guy." He looks to her, smiles and shrugs his shoulders. It was a wordless exchange that could say volumes about their 45-year relationship. Eventually, they hugged. Awwwwwww.

During one of Lindsey's speeches, he spoke the band's complicated history, which is the understatement of the year. Their VH1 Behind the Music should have been a 5-hour mini-series. That whole late-60s to mid-70s Laurel Canyon scene must have been wild. They were young, talented, rich, sexy, hairy and had easy access to narcotics. If those coke mirrors could talk. Fleetwood Mac, the latter incarnation when Stevie and Lindsey joined, are the go-to band if you want to find inspiration and clues into writing great songs that come from that scene.

Then there's Miss Nicks, who's looked the same since 1989. Her voice has remained the same for 40 years. She either has good doctors or a good make-up artist -- probably the same one Dolly Parton has. Of course, there is the cult of Stevie and the Night of 1,000 Stevies. I want to start the Cult of Lindsey. I'll call it the Night of a Handful of Lindseys. Anyway, I think she kind of plays up the Stevie Nicks persona with the long dresses and playing with strands of fabric. She goes through all the poses during "Gypsy" and twirls around like a mystic.

That's it on the Mac. I can't tell if they are the same band as they were in the 70s. I think the reason older people go is to relive the show they saw 30 years prior. For me, it was a "why not?" 4 out of 5 members playing classics. I'll take it.

The setlist for a 2 hour, 45 minute show ... damn:

Monday Morning
The Chain
Dreams
I Know I’m Not Wrong
Gypsy
Go Insane
Rhiannon
Second Hand News
Tusk
Sara
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Storms
Say You Love Me
Gold Dust Woman
Oh Well
I’m So Afraid
Stand Back
Go Your Own Way
ENCORE: World Turning
Don’t Stop
SECOND ENCORE: Silver Springs

2ND NIGHT IN DUBLIN ANNOUNCED OCTOBER 25TH

A second night for FLEETWOOD MAC in Dublin on October 25th at The 02 has been confirmed

Tickets for the second show are already on sale today.

TICKETS

When tickets for Fleetwood Mac went on sale this morning, a second date was announced for the rock legends. The most popular 'Rumours' era line up, featuring Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham will now play both October 24th and 25th at The O2, Dublin.

Tickets priced €86.25, €106.25 and €126.25 are on sale now, but probably not for long.

Ireland.com

FLEETWOOD MAC ATLANTIC CITY; GOING IT'S OWN WAY AGAIN

Fleetwood Mac going its own way again
By: ED CONDRAN
Burlington County Times

When iconic bands reunite for a tour, it's often difficult for members of those veteran acts to resist the temptation to play old favorites with their former mates and to perform in massive halls with all the respect and amenities you can imagine.

Oh, and then there is that massive payday groups such as Fleetwood Mac receive for their two-hour shows.

However, Lindsey Buckingham didn't necessarily run back and join his ex-mates for a reunion.

After all, the vocalist-guitarist has been focusing on his solo work over recent years. He put out two of his finest solo albums: 2006's "Under the Skin" and 2008's "Gift of Screws." Both discs garnered critical acclaim and helped him pack theaters throughout North America.

"I needed a three-year period where they couldn't come knocking on my door," says Buckingham. "That allowed me to put out two albums."

Now that those solo efforts are out of Buckingham's system, he is more than happy to rejoin Fleetwood Mac for a tour, which stops Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

"I'm more than happy to make time for this band," says Buckingham. "I love being part of this group. I love the camaraderie, the songs and all that comes with being in Fleetwood Mac. Just because I delayed the group getting back together doesn't mean I didn't want to come back.

"We all have things to do. I have a family now with a wife and three young children (under 10). But now is the time to get back again. We're a band again - it's just a great situation."

Expect Buckingham and his bandmates - vocalist Stevie Nicks, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood - to deliver plenty of hits during their "Unleashed" tour.

"The fans still want to hear songs like 'Go Your Own Way,' 'Dreams' and 'The Chain,' Buckingham says. "We still love playing the songs. We never get tired of them. It's something that I think we'll always love to do. This is interesting - going out for the first time without a new album to support. It's a blast doing the old songs."

Not that Buckingham would like to rest on his laurels. He hopes the group will write and record a new disc.

"Hopefully, the tour will spark us to make a new record," he says. "Let's see what happens. I'm open to anything."

If Fleetwood Mac doesn't craft a new disc, count on Buckingham to make another album on his own.

"I feel very creative right now," he says. "I like to keep putting out records. I'm sure I'll put another (solo) one out, but it would be really cool if we could make another Fleetwood Mac album."

Fleetwood Mac appears Saturday at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets: $49.50, $79.50 and $149.50. Information: 800-736-1420.

UPDATE ON TOUR BOXSCORE NUMBERS

FLEETWOOD MAC Unleashed Tour BOXSCORE Numbers (Update)

(information provided by Billboard Magazine)

PHOTOS: FLEETWOOD MAC - NYC June 11, 2009

 AS IT'S HAPPENING... FLEETWOOD MAC IN NYC.

Fleetwood Mac åbner turné i Parken

ibyen.dk

Det over 40 år gamle band kommer til København og giver koncert 8. oktober.

Den legendariske rockgruppe Fleetwood Mac indleder sin kommende Europa-turné i Parken i København, hvor gruppen giver koncert den 8. oktober.

Bandets historie går tilbage til 1967, og to af grundlæggerne, Mick Fleetwood og John McVie er med i København.

Første turné i fem år

De får selskab af Lindsey Buckingham og Stevie Nicks, der kom til i 1974 og i de følgende år bidrog til en række af Fleetwood Macs største succeser, blandt dem albummet "Rumours", som mange regner for juvelen i deres karriere.

Gruppen har tidligere spillet i Danmark ved enkelte lejligheder, men aldrig med Buckingham og Nicks.

Turnéen er Fleetwood Macs første i fem år, og billetsalget til koncerten i København indledes på mandag. Der bliver tale om en overdækket koncert i såkaldt intime rammer og uden øvre tribuner

(REVIEW) FLEETWOOD MAC “The Mac Mystifies Milwaukee”

Fleetwood Mac Live in Milwaukee June 8, 2008
“The Mac Mystifies Milwaukee”

By Christian Scalise

Country Stars Central

(Photos removed at the request of the owner. Click the above link for slideshow)

Music fans of all ages gathered inside the Bradley Center in downtown Milwaukee on Monday June 8th to experience an once-in-a-lifetime evening of fine music by iconic group Fleetwood Mac.

Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Stevie Nicks have joined forces once again to give their fans a show stopping evening of all the smash hits and favorite tunes that have solidified the bands legendary career through the years.

The show brought in countless numbers of fans of each individual band member; some diehard Lindsey Buckingham fans sported t-shirts with his image on them, while others, mostly women channeled Stevie Nicks by donning their own take on the intriguing persona of the beloved superstar.

Due to unexpected hazardous weather conditions the show started off a bit later than planned, but even the minor mishap didn’t seem to bother the eager fans from witnessing their idols firsthand.

Emerging onto the stage at 8:15pm, Fleetwood Mac took their respective places on the stage as they opened the show with a rousing rendition of “Monday Morning.” The audience ecstatically welcomed their arrival!! Continuing the high, “The Chain,” “Dreams,” and “I Know I’m Not Wrong” followed.

Stevie showcased her distinctive vocal talents on the pleasingly magical “Gypsy” before shortly turning the tables and taking the audience on a magical journey into the world of “Rhiannon,” and “Gold Dust Woman.”

Donning various beautiful sparkly shawls, beaded chiffon skirts of different colors, top hats, layers of lace, her trademark suede platform boots, and a microphone stand adorned with crystal beads and ribbons…Stevie offered her audience what they love most; her unmistakable fashion sense.

She also brought along her trio of talented background singers Jana Anderson, Sharon Celani, and Lori Nicks. The girls proved that they have what it takes, and their blends of harmonious vocals were a great attribute to the show!

Looking sensational for their stature as music veterans, each member of the band has managed to maintain their image, showing that time has clearly been good to them. Stevie Nick’s flowing golden blonde hair, flawless porcelain skin, and svelte figure are even more astonishing to witness in person, and Lindsey, Mick, and John rocked out in stylish vests, v-neck tees, and leather jackets.

Even though there is no new record to plug or project to promote, the best part of this tour is the devoted camaraderie between the band, and the honest desire to connect with their fans on a very personal level. The midsized arena was brought down to an intimate gathering thanks to Fleetwood Mac.

The audience was very receptive and laid back; they clapped while singing along with admiration to each and every song.

Lindsey’s solo performances of “Go Insane,” “Big Love,” and “Oh Well” gave him the chance to display his impeccable vocal talents and impressive musicianship as one of rock music’s finest players. His astounding energy level left the audience in awe following each performance!! He is definitely underrated, and that is a shame because in my opinion, he’s one of the finest singer/musicians of our time.

The entire band gave impressive amounts of energy to their fans while playing nonstop for almost 3 hours (2 ½ precisely) with an effortless sense of pure bliss and charisma. Just when you thought the show was about to come to an end, another handful of songs appeared much to the listeners delight.

Stevie’s touching performance of “Landslide” brought the audience to an emotional standstill as Stevie and Lindsey embraced each other for a loving hug. The song holds a special place in everybody’s heart with its honest lyrics and simple acoustic arrangement.

Adding a new twist to an old favorite, Stevie created her own enjoyable version of the Christine McVie number “Say You Love Me.”

The audience roared as the lush sound of the synthesizer began the intro to “Stand Back.” Stevie fascinated the crowd as she twirled around on stage in her black sparkly shawl during the memorable performance!

The band closed out the show with solid performances of mega-hits “Go Your Own Way,” “World Turning,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Silver Springs.” They received a longstanding ovation with thunderous applause.

Before leaving the stage, Lindsey, Mick, John, and Stevie thanked the audience for coming out to the show and shook hands with the several fans that stood in front of the stage.

Mick Fleetwood’s last words to the audience were, “The Mac is back!!” The show ended at 11:15pm. Make sure to get out and head to one of these shows. You will be thoroughly pleased and entertained to say the least.

(Special thanks go out to my friend Liza Jane and Ms. Nicks for their generosity and making it possible for me to witness such a memorable event. God Bless you both!!)