After May 27th 2015 - I'm never going to try and see this band again.

[julieannboo]

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

The prospect of a new Fleetwood Mac album seems to be in jeopardy. Aside from this ever expanding and never ending tour of greed, Stevie's ambivalence is a stunning insult to the band and fans. And time, inevitably, is not on their side.

Even if they manage to make and tour with a new album, the set list won't change much. They are so tentative with new material; maybe four new songs will be performed, and at least one will be dropped before the tour ends. I have hard time being at peace with on how restrictive, rote, stagnant and uninspired their set lists have become, even though they have surprised us with some minor alterations.

Other bands I love create unique set lists for each of their tours, featuring deep cuts, a healthy amount of new material, and a handful of their hits.
Fleetwood Mac is just doesn't have that kind of nimbleness. Because they have three singer/songwriters, they have to achieve a balance between them. Aside from that, they have a lot of hits and standards they feel they required to play. This mindset leaves little wiggle room. It's like they are performing the same play every time they tour, with very minor scene and script changes. When Stevie proclaims the set list is set in stone, she's stating the obvious par for course.

Look at a band like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They have a lot of signature hits, but they don't glut their sets with the same songs in the same sequence over and over. They'll play inspired covers, deep tracks, and some select hit songs. No one leaves their shows bitching about the set. "I paid a lot of money and they didn't play the songs I wanted to hear! No "Free Fall" I'm so pissed off." Their fans come for a show, not a greatest hits album.

I realize this is a somewhat unfair comparison; group dynamics and demographics vary vastly among bands and their fans.

See i disagree. Most fleetwood mac fans go for a greatest hits setlist.

I remember when fans go to madonnas new shows and show come away disappointed as they want the greatest hits and she just plays music from her latest album.

[nicepace]

I'll bet a lot of you who are saying "they're old, they won't tour anymore" are in your 20s.

Age by itself is not going to prevent them from continuing to to tour. If they maintain their health, they can keep on going. (<-- FM reference) There are plenty of rockers in their 70s who are still touring. Ray Davies, Ian Hunter, Paul McCartney, many more.

More concerning than a number on a calendar are the facts that (a) John McVie has had cancer and (b) there was a lot of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use by most or all of the Rumours five, for many years. Even if they have all cleaned up, sometimes those destructive health habits cause problems down the line.

But I think everyone here should cut out the ageist, negative crap about them not being able to tour again after next year because they're "so old."

[ChickenStu]

OK. After this year I don't think I'm ever going to another concert ever again. I just don't think I can top what's coming this year.

I've got Toto and Fleetwood Mac in May, Foo Fighters in June and finally... David Gilmour in September.

If I EVER try to see another concert again it will be Toto. The one I'm seeing in May I'm taking my oldest daughter too - my youngest is a bit too young for a concert. So if they make it to England once again in a few years then I might try and get tickets for me and my youngest when she's a bit older.

Other than that, seeing David Gilmour is as close as you'll ever get to seeing Pink Floyd live. There simply is no topping that. So come the end of 2015 when I've seen all these concerts I think I'll be satisfied that I've seen all the live bands I want to see... and happily leave it there.

[Danielle]

Originally Posted by ChickenStu

Other than that, seeing David Gilmour is as close as you'll ever get to seeing Pink Floyd live.

I am sorry to get off topic but don't you think that seeing Roger Waters is as close as you get to seeing PF live?

[Macfanforever]

The only concerts that I attended lately or the last 6 plus years were Stevie and FM shows.The last other artists I've seen live were Kieth Urban and comic Lewis Black.They both were great.

Now I think I have the rest of this year off from FM shows unless FM or Stevie throw out some surprise shows this summer.I would like to see some classic country artists that come here for shows at the casinos as long the tix are cheap.I would not even bother with the current country artists because they are not country but I would like to see some of the classic rock bands live before its to late again as long the tix are cheap.

Its nice to see Toto is still touring.

Enjoy the shows ChickenStu.

[sorcerer999]

Blargh! I just spent $160.00 on a "nosebleed seat"...A NOSEBLEED SEAT all the way in the back...for FMac's upcoming Nashville show next week!

Originally, I wasn't going to go AT ALL because of the outrageous ticket prices and the fact that there isn't any new material to promote.

But the thought of Fleetwood Mac coming to my city and me not being there just got under my skin. All would NOT be right with the world if I didn't go.

It was the same when Stevie came round in 2012 with Rod Stewart. I HAD to be there. So very glad that she went on first and I could duck out before Rod Stewart came on.

Oh the things I've done (and the money I've spent) on that woman and THIS band!!!

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by LesPaulPlayer91

Agree re [I]
Generally speaking if a band releases great new material and incorporates it into their it makes me want to see them more to hear it live, especially if it's a band/act I've seen before. The highlight of seeing Bob Dylan live in London last year for me was hearing the songs from Tempest played live.

Exactly. After all the effort that goes into making an album, why wouldn't a band want to showcase it on stage? If you are a true fan of a band, why wouldn't you appreciate that? All songs are new in their initial debut. Just because they are not familiar shouldn't preclude you from enjoying a show.

As someone who appreciates live music, I can see a band completely unknown to me and still be entertained. If I was at a Fleetwood Mac show and they came out and announced they decided to ditch their set list perform deep album cuts and covers, I'd be elated!

And there no reason "The Chain" has to be the opener at every tour and show they do, nor does "Songbird" always have to be the closer. Why the demand for familiarity? I was always appreciative of the variety of songs that opened shows - Get Like You Used to Be, Monday Morning, Second Hand News, Say You Love Me, In The Back of My Mind (not their best choice - too dirge -like).

When set lists get too predictable, it's like seeing a movie over and over. You know what's going to happen. The element of surprise is what keeps a set list fresh, even if it's just the same songs arranged in a different order.

[aleuzzi]

I enjoyed the two times I saw them on this tour, which I would not have bothered with if Christine weren't around. But I will NOT see them again after this without new music available to us in an album or digital download form.

I got to see a miracle: the return of Christine. But now I'm waiting for the promise: the "prolific new chapter" to end all chapters.

[starshine]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I've held off going to see the Mac for 12 years now. Unlike you, though I AM waiting for a new album. I'm not interested in hearing the same old hits. That's what the radio & my music collection is for. I need freshness in the setlist to make me ever care to empty my pockets for this band again. Even significantly mixing up the set with lesser known album tracks & b-sides would do the trick for me. I don't even like hearing songs such as Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, and Rhiannon on the radio anymore... they're just so tired. Why would I pay $200+ to hear them performed increasingly poorly live?

I couldn't agree with you more. I haven't seen Mac live since '03 (SYW) and Stevie last time was '08 ,really haven't seen much of anybody cause I'm NOT willing to overpay anymore for the same old same old. I did see the Rumours line up during the Dance tour plus Mask (even though NO Lindsey) & SYW so its not like I haven't 'seen' them over the yrs as well as through video etc. I don't feel like I have missed anything much. I have video of the yrs that I haven't went to concerts and other than the hits its not like I've missed much. I'd say the heyday was during the 70's-early 80's so at least I have video and audio from those times. I'm satisfied enough. But there's nothing wrong with going if you want to. Enjoy!!

[starshine]

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

Exactly. After all the effort that goes into making an album, why wouldn't a band want to showcase it on stage? If you are a true fan of a band, why wouldn't you appreciate that? All songs are new in their initial debut. Just because they are not familiar shouldn't preclude you from enjoying a show.

As someone who appreciates live music, I can see a band completely unknown to me and still be entertained. If I was at a Fleetwood Mac show and they came out and announced they decided to ditch their set list perform deep album cuts and covers, I'd be elated!

And there no reason "The Chain" has to be the opener at every tour and show they do, nor does "Songbird" always have to be the closer. Why the demand for familiarity? I was always appreciative of the variety of songs that opened shows - Get Like You Used to Be, Monday Morning, Second Hand News, Say You Love Me, In The Back of My Mind (not their best choice - too dirge -like).

When set lists get too predictable, it's like seeing a movie over and over. You know what's going to happen. The element of surprise is what keeps a set list fresh, even if it's just the same songs arranged in a different order.

I also agree, why not change??? why does Stevie always wear black now??? Its like she is afraid of some color?? I think alot needs to change but I'm afraid all of them are too old now to care what we think. There used to there 'usual' ways. Heck, even during the tours in the 70-80's they never ever changed there set list up very much at all. Always the same , maybe a couple of early and later song changes but not a complete setlist overhaul (same with Stevie solo). Its such a shame that through the years they couldn't have played songs that we don't hear much. Its really a travesty now cause its just not gonna happen--sad but true.

[ChickenStu]

Originally Posted by Danielle

I am sorry to get off topic but don't you think that seeing Roger Waters is as close as you get to seeing PF live?

Depends what kind of Pink Floyd you like I suppose. If you want miserable stories about kids being left by their Dads and political rants that are about stuff that happened 30 years ago, then yeah - Waters is your man.

I on the other hand want spectacular light shows and soaring guitar solos. That's why I'm going with Gilmour.

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

Its nice to see Toto is still touring.

Oh it's so great. The new album Toto XIV came out at the start of this week and it's just utterly magnificent. They are a SERIOUSLY underrated band.
That album is really worth a punt if you fancy a flutter.

Did you read Mick Fleetwood's autobiography? The new one? He mentions Toto early in the book and talks about their late drummer Jeff Porcaro. Fleetwood really rated him and his talent. He died in the early 90's after an allergic reaction to pesticides (Toto's former bassist, Jeff's brother Mike sadly died of ALS last week. The last remaining brother Steve Porcaro is in the lineup as keyboardist)

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

Enjoy the shows ChickenStu.

Thank you Macfanforever and I hope you enjoy anything you have lined up for 2015!

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by ChickenStu

Depends what kind of Pink Floyd you like I suppose. If you want miserable stories about kids being left by their Dads and political rants that are about stuff that happened 30 years ago, then yeah - Waters is your man.

I on the other hand want spectacular light shows and soaring guitar solos. That's why I'm going with Gilmour.



Oh it's so great. The new album Toto XIV came out at the start of this week and it's just utterly magnificent. They are a SERIOUSLY underrated band.
That album is really worth a punt if you fancy a flutter.

Did you read Mick Fleetwood's autobiography? The new one? He mentions Toto early in the book and talks about their late drummer Jeff Porcaro. Fleetwood really rated him and his talent. He died in the early 90's after an allergic reaction to pesticides (Toto's former bassist, Jeff's brother Mike sadly died of ALS last week. The last remaining brother Steve Porcaro is in the lineup as keyboardist)



Thank you Macfanforever and I hope you enjoy anything you have lined up for 2015!

No problem .I'll try .I already got the Mac under belt for this year.
Thanks for the Toto tidbit.I have not get a chance to get Micks new book.I'll get it soon.

Enjoy your shows.

[nicepace]

That album is really worth a punt if you fancy a flutter.

Ummm ... what? I can usually decipher English slang that I encounter here and on other internet sites, but this one has me stumped.

Could someone please translate into American? (lol)

[reebokandlace]

Originally Posted by nicepace

Ummm ... what? I can usually decipher English slang that I encounter here and on other internet sites, but this one has me stumped.

Could someone please translate into American? (lol)

Roughly translated into American:

The album is really worth a punt if you fancy a flutter = The album is worth the gamble if you are willing to take a chance.

[ChickenStu]

After last night, I'm sticking to my original statement more than ever.