Little Rock 5/3

[jarlic]

On the road from St Louis. Excited for the show....""it's been a loooong time".

[elle]

Originally Posted by jarlic

On the road from St Louis. Excited for the show....""it's been a loooong time".

hope you had lots of fun!! let us know your impressions!

[AliceLover]

Does anyone actually live in this state?

I was actually surprised when I saw this tour date on the initial list, seems so random!

[michelej1]

Photos: Fleetwood Mac at Verizon Arena
http://www.inarkansas.com/92338/phot...-verizon-arena

By Lauren James
Updated: May 3, 2013, 11:59pm

Legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac rocked Verizon Arena Friday night. The began took the stage at around 8:30 p.m. and played until 11 p.m., playing all of their great hits, as well those of fantastic singer Stevie Nicks and amazing guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

The band will continue on its 2013 tour with its next stop in New Orleans at the Jazz & Heritage Festival.

[michelej1]

Arkansas Online, by Jack W. Hill special to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2...rforming-well/

Anyone attending the Fleetwood Mac concert Friday night at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock could have easily guessed what their final song was destined to be: "Don't Stop (Thinkin' About Tomorrow)," which became something of an anthem for the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. But not that many of us in the sold-out crowd of 14,613 also guessed that President Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, were in the audience.

But since the Clintons were in town for the dedication of the Little Rock airport which now bears their names, they no doubt decided to take in a little entertainment, so why not the Fleetwood Mac concert? So there they were, in a skybox on about what would have been the 50-yard line if the arena were a football stadium. By this time, it was 10:30, and instead of making it their final song, they did a couple more, perhaps to help the Clintons ease out of the milling throngs.

Even without the presence of these former Arkansas luminaries, it was a memorable night, made more so by a band that showed they still have what made them the most successful band of the 1970s and '80s. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was easily the star of the show, on both acoustic and electric guitars, hitting many an amazing lick. His band mates were certainly not slouches, with Mick Fleetwood looming large over a massive drum set, clearing loving his job, just from the look in his eyes.

Bassist John McVie was the quiet, steady one, like bassists frequently are, never uttering a word or singing a line, but getting an occasional bass solo to show off his prowess. And then there was Stevie Nicks, swirling a bit slower than she used to, but still able to belt it out.

(A full review will run in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.)

[bluecalmsea]

I have a friend who is a very very casual fan (doesn't know any songs beyond the hits) who went last night. She told me they were amazing and she would see them again on this tour if she could!

[Angel69]

Originally Posted by bluecalmsea

I have a friend who is a very very casual fan (doesn't know any songs beyond the hits) who went last night. She told me they were amazing and she would see them again on this tour if she could!

A co-worker of mine went to the Garden show with her sister who is a fan......and she also said they were amazing and now wants to go to Jones Beach!

[michelej1]

[Expanded review from earlier post] Arizona Democrat Gazette May 5, 2013

http://theadvocate.com/news/5889991-...raws-huge-jazz

Fleetwood Mac rocks flawlessly

Even Clintons took in show at NLR arena By Jack Hill


Anyone attending the Fleetwood Mac concert Friday night at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock could have easily guessed what the band’s climactic song was destined to be: “Don’t Stop (Thinkin’ About Tomorrow),” which became something of an anthem for the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. But not that many in the sold-out crowd of 14,613 also guessed that former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former secretary of state, were in the audience.

Hours after the dedication of the Little Rock airport that now bears their names, the Clintons took in the Fleetwood Mac concert in a skybox on about what would have been the 50-yard line if the arena were a football stadium.

They were introduced by Mick Fleetwood just before the band performed “their song.” By this time, it was 10:30 p.m., and instead of making it the final song, the band did a couple more, perhaps to help the Clintons ease out of the milling throngs with less stress.

Even without the presence of these former Arkansas luminaries, it was a memorable night, made more so by a band that showed they still have what made them the most successful band of the 1970s and ’80s. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was easily the star of the show, on both acoustic and electric guitars, hitting many an amazing lick. His band mates were certainly not slouches, with Fleetwood looming large over a massive drum set, clearly loving his job, just from the look in his eyes.

Bassist John McVie was the quiet, steady one, like bassists frequently are, never uttering a word or singing a line, but getting an occasional bass solo to show off his prowess. And then there was Stevie Nicks, swirling around a bit slower than she used to, but still able to belt it out.

This was a mammoth, seemingly flawless production, with no opening act and state-of-the-art lights, huge, towering elevated speakers, visual effects, plus two small screens and a giant one on which were projected views of the band from many angles, plus images and shapes, some of which were as seriously psychedelic as the times in which the band took shape in the 1970s.

The 23-song set began with Fleetwood’s heavy metal drumming introduction to “Second Hand News” at 8:20 p.m. and the show almost hit the 11 p.m. mark with no intermission and a variety of combinations from the full band (augmented by two female singers, a keyboardist and a rhythm guitarist) to Buckingham and Nicks together and Buckingham alone. And no matter what he did, Buckingham wowed the appreciative fans with his finger-picking skill. He even got in a bit of percussion on Fleetwood’s cymbals while also playing his guitar.

Since the tour’s announced intention is to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the band’s album, Rumours, the largest number of songs came from it: the opener, followed by “Chains” and “Dreams” in succession, later scattering throughout the set “Never Going Back Again,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Go Your Own Way” and the Clinton anthem.Buckingham spoke of the band’s new EP and the group performed “Sad Angel,” from that, quickly moving into one of Nicks’s signature songs, “Rhiannon,” from the band’s self-titled 1975 album (later adding “Landslide,” “I’m So Afraid” and “World Turning” from that release). Another of the new EP songs, “Without You,” came later, along with “Stand Back,” a big Nicks hit from her solo career.

Buckingham told of the band’s refusal to follow industry dictates (“If it works, run it into the ground”) in releasing the odd-for-its-time album, Tusk, just before a mini-set of four songs from that album: “Not That Funny,” the title cut, “Sisters of the Moon” and “Sara.” There were two songs from Mirage: “Gypsy” and “Eyes of the World,” and single songs from The Dance: “Silver Springs” and from Say You Will: “Say Goodbye,” which was the final song of the second encore, when Buckingham and Nicks shared some tender thoughts of their famous troubled times together and apart.

Throughout the show, Buckingham found ways to add new intros or solos to songs that were also far more complex than their chart versions in the days of FM album rock, so fans got more than just a greatest hits show. Instead, thanks to one of the most amazing guitarists in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, they got one of the greatest shows to ever hit Central Arkansas.

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Instead, thanks to one of the most amazing guitarists in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, they got one of the greatest shows to ever hit Central Arkansas.

Hmm, anyone ?.....

[michelej1]

Baxter Bulletin by Joe Miles, May 6, 2013

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/articl...nclick_check=1

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Fleetwood Mac brought their iconic sound to central Arkansas Friday night as part of a 48-city North American tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of the band’s prolific album “Rumours,” which was the best-selling album of all time the year of its release.

The group played to a sold-out crowd of 14,613 jubilant fans at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena. This tour brings the band members back together for the first time in three years.

They opened the show with three songs from “Rumours,” beginning with “Second Hand News” featuring a rambunctious drumming introduction by band leader Mick Fleetwood and the vocals of lead guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

The rousing opening was followed by “The Chain” and “Dreams,” with Stevie Nicks bringing her unique vocals and mystical stage presence to the forefront.

Bassist John McVie was a quiet master of rhythm throughout the 23-song set that included two encores.

Buckingham stole the show with several guitar improvisations, especially during an acoustical set that included songs “Big Love” and “Landslide.” The group also performed “Sad Angel” and “Without You” from their recently released EP — aptly entitled “Extended Play” — that contains the band’s first newly released material in 10 years.

The first encore featured a rousing rendition of “World Turning” and “Don’t Stop (Thinkin’ About Tomorrow),” a song closely associated with the 1992 campaign of President Bill Clinton.

Band leader Fleetwood introduced band members and background vocalists, concluding with accolades for the former president and wife, Hillary Clinton, the nation’s former Secretary of State, who were in the audience.

The band returned to the stage for a second encore, ending the evening with the ballad “Say Goodbye.”

Buckingham’s guitar work, Nicks’ vocals and the band’s interaction with the crowd stirred up one of the most memorable rock and roll shows Arkansas has seen.

“The Mac is back!” Fleetwood yelled as he left the stage.

[michelej1]

Arkansas Times, click for Facebook links

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/eats/

Brian Chilson has lots of photos from Fleetwood Mac's show at Verizon Arena last night at his Facebook page. I notice Twitter feeds that say Bill and Hillary Clinton were in the house, or so it was announced when the band played "Don't Stop," the theme song to the 1992 presidential campaign. UPDATE: I now see, thanks to our all night readers, that the Stevie Nicks Facebook page has a photo by Paige Lafleur of the Clintons in the house applauding.

Boomer fan comments on Twitter were enthusiastic about the show, which ran more than two hours.

But all that was yesterday.


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=e1f6d6254c

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...7&l=bc7f88217a