Chicago, IL 10/2 - On With The Show 2014

[SadAngel86]

Just figured I'd get this thread started for tonight's show. I'll be there with a friend. So excited!!!

I probably won't be posting my photos or videos until I get back, and even then I'm in Section 105, back of the arena on the right hand side. So, no front row shots but I'll get great panoramic stage views!

Looking forward to it!

If anyone does want to stalk me via social media, my Instagram is @thechicagoway and my Twitter is @libgiggirl.

[jcalzaretta]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

[kathy1]

have a great time at the show tonight.

[wheart]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

Really? That's so cool. If I saw the three of them at a restaurant I don't know what I would do. Probably make a complete ass out of myself.

Everyone going to the show tonight have an amazing time!

[bethelblues]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

Wow! In Chicago? What are the chances...so many places. Can you share where they were eating? Curious what their tastes are. Also, wonder where Stevie and John were. Maybe they got French food?

[lovethemac1]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

I think I would have a hard time eating my meal if those 3, or any member, was in the same restaurant.:nod: I'd probably just sit and stare with my mouth open, and then maybe cry too. :eek: Then I would very quietly go up to them and ask for their autograph, kinda the way a dog very sneakily moves very slowly up onto the sofa to sit with you. :shocked: Yes, that's what I'd do, very slowly move towards them to ask for the autograph, but act like it's no big deal. Or I would have my husband go do it. He always does those kinds of things for me. He once pointed at me in the front row of a FM concert and mouthed to Lindsay that i was the #1 fan. Lindsay then smiled at me and waved to me later in the show as well. My husband is very cool.

[lovethemac1]

Just figured I'd get this thread started for tonight's show. I'll be there with a friend. So excited!!!

I probably won't be posting my photos or videos until I get back, and even then I'm in Section 105, back of the arena on the right hand side. So, no front row shots but I'll get great panoramic stage views!

Looking forward to it!

If anyone does want to stalk me via social media, my Instagram is @thechicagoway and my Twitter is @libgiggirl.

Have a great time tonight! I'm going to the 18th in Toronto and Nov 10 in Winnipeg. I've seen them before a number of times, but I am just SOOOO excited.

[Montclare]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

That's awesome! What restaurant was it?

I'll be there tonight as well, floor section, row 16 on Lindsey's side. Hopefully there are no tall people in front of me!

[Wdm6789]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!



Did you ask them to swap Over my Head for Hold Me? Lol

[BigAl84]

I bet they are using Chicago as a home base for a good chunk of the northeast/midwest dates. They've been known to do that in the past.

Glad to see them out and about - not shocked that Stevie wasn't present. She can be such a hermit sometimes.

[lovethemac1]

Did you ask them to swap Over my Head for Hold Me? Lol

Hahahaha, :]

[Wdm6789]

I was so excited about Hold Me and Blue Letter. Over my Head is a beautiful song, but it's just kinda boring.

[AnthonyMI]

I will be there. section 312

[UnwindedDreams]

Ill be on the floor Lindsey's side row 22. I'm pumped!

[jcalzaretta]

I won't ever get rid of Over My Head. First to go is Everywhere. Then Big Love. Add Hold Me and Bleed to Love Her.

[bombaysaffires]

Glad to see them out and about - not shocked that Stevie wasn't present. She can be such a hermit sometimes.


She was already bored with the hotel and was moving all her stuff to a new one…..:lol:

[Macfanforever]

For those that are going tonight.Have fun and be safe. Again we will be on the sidelines waiting for the reviews , photos and vids.

Have Fun...........................................................................................

[FM77]

[QUOTE=BigAl84;1146163]I bet they are using Chicago as a home base for a good chunk of the northeast/midwest dates. They've been known to do that in the past.

No, they are in Chicago for Chicago shows. They are leaving for NYC right after Chicago.

[Danigirl]

I will be there. I also saw Mick, Lindsey and Christine at a restaurant last night. They were having a great time!

Awe that must have been awesome to walk in and see them.... did you see what they were eating? Lol creepy I know...

[SpyNote]

Just don't drop "Little Lies" and "Seven Wonders." I can't believe there are actually 4 songs from Tango in the Night in the set. Maybe they'll add "Isn't It Midnight" by the time they get to Europe. :thumbsup:

[bethelblues]

What happened at the restaurant?/what restaurant was it? What a tease...

[jwd]

I won't ever get rid of Over My Head. First to go is Everywhere. Then Big Love. Add Hold Me and Bleed to Love Her.

Count me in as part of the Over My Head fan club. It's gotta stay. :D It just tugs at my sentimental heart strings. And whoever the dude or dudette is that keeps dissing this song, you're really starting to get on my nerves. :D:D

[FM77]

Count me in as part of the Over My Head fan club. It's gotta stay. :D It just tugs at my sentimental heart strings. And whoever the dude or dudette is that keeps dissing this song, you're really starting to get on my nerves. :D:D

Agree! I loved it and thought it sounded great.

[elle]

Count me in as part of the Over My Head fan club. It's gotta stay. :D It just tugs at my sentimental heart strings. And whoever the dude or dudette is that keeps dissing this song, you're really starting to get on my nerves. :D:D

same. i never even cared much about it and just loved watching it.

drop Little Lies?? huh? again, i never even cared for that song either and from the vids it seems to be a nice little jam. the way many other songs aren't and should be.

[jkmaletic]

Don't they DARE drop Little Lies - they all sing on it so well. I think it's great.

Jamie

[elle]

Just figured I'd get this thread started for tonight's show. I'll be there with a friend. So excited!!!

I probably won't be posting my photos or videos until I get back, and even then I'm in Section 105, back of the arena on the right hand side. So, no front row shots but I'll get great panoramic stage views!

Looking forward to it!

If anyone does want to stalk me via social media, my Instagram is @thechicagoway and my Twitter is @libgiggirl.

have a great time SadAngel!!

[mtkad]

From the youtube clips, for me personally Little Lies was the highlight! It's the first time the full band has played it, has so much more punch than the tango tour and sounds great, not to mention in the original key. So it better not go anywhere!

Fingers crossed for Blue Letter, Lindsey needs a new track this tour!

[SpyNote]

From the youtube clips, for me personally Little Lies was the highlight! It's the first time the full band has played it, has so much more punch than the tango tour and sounds great, not to mention in the original key. So it better not go anywhere!

I feel the same way. It was one of the few "group" songs on Tango, where all three of them sang together, so it's great that they can finally perform it together onstage. Stevie and especially Lindsey were so into their parts!

[vivfox]

I feel the same way. It was one of the few "group" songs on Tango, where all three of them sang together, so it's great that they can finally perform it together onstage. Stevie and especially Lindsey were so into their parts!

To me it almost feels like we are getting the TITN Tour (we should have had) on this tour.

[SpyNote]

To me it almost feels like we are getting the TITN Tour (we should have had) on this tour.

Exactly. So they just need to add "Isn't It Midnight" and drop "I'm So Afraid" (gasp!) for "Tango in the Night," and we'll have our true Tango in the Night tour! :woohoo:

[SpyNote]

OK, they just did "Seven Wonders." All is still good in the world. ;)

[mottabam]

OK, they just did "Seven Wonders." All is still good in the world. ;)

:thumbsup: Long time till my show on December 20th. Seven Wonders and Little Lies must remain in the set.

[blemelin]

Any word on the crowd reaction to Seven Wonders? If she doesn't get enough applause, I'm afraid she'll drop it.

[jbrownsjr]

They booed like crazy!!! They said play Dreams again instead!! lol

I imagine a lot of people don't know that song. It wasn't the strongest single on TITN by any stretch?

[Macfanforever]

They dont have to drop any songs to add atlease two more songs.

"Hold Me" is one to add to the setlist.

Come out earlier on stage or screw the 11PM curfew crap.

Tonight's show probably almost over as its about 11:25PM here on the east coast.

[jwd]

They booed like crazy!!! They said play Dreams again instead!! lol

I imagine a lot of people don't know that song. It wasn't the strongest single on TITN by any stretch?

I imagine quite a few know it from American Horror Story. She even thanks the show at the end of the song. At least she did in MNPLS.

[Macfanforever]

To me it almost feels like we are getting the TITN Tour (we should have had) on this tour.

Yes I agree .TITN was the first FM tour that I attended since I missed the boat on their older tours.

[jbrownsjr]

I imagine quite a few know it from American Horror Story. She even thanks the show at the end of the song. At least she did in MNPLS.

I love that show, but just not sure how many FM fans watch it.

You could be right, though..

[Wdm6789]

They booed like crazy!!! They said play Dreams again instead!! lol

I imagine a lot of people don't know that song. It wasn't the strongest single on TITN by any stretch?



Did people really boo? That's so rude.

[jbrownsjr]

Did people really boo? That's so rude.

Of course not. I was joking.

[Macfanforever]

Did people really boo? That's so rude.

Of course not. I was joking.

I was shocked reading that myself .LOL........

[jbrownsjr]

I was shocked reading that myself .LOL........

You know that I'm crazy.. you have no excuse.. haha..

[jwd]

You know that I'm crazy.. you have no excuse.. haha..

I knew you were joking right away. ;)

[Macfanforever]

You know that I'm crazy.. you have no excuse.. haha..

Hahahahahaha.OK.LOL....

The show should be over by now.The news should be dribbling in alittle bit.

[jbrownsjr]

I knew you were joking right away. ;)

You better!! You know I'm crazy, too.

[Montclare]

Review from Chicago-

First, I forgot my camera cord at work, so I have to wait until tomorrow to post pictures. We'll see how many turned out okay.

It was fantastic! I think Stevie's voice is probably the best it's been since The Dance. I was surprised by how good Rhiannon sounded. I think the biggest sing along song turned out to be Little Lies. I think Seven Wonders was the one with the least amount of crowd reaction, but nothing bad. A lot of applause for Big Love, I'm So Afraid; NGBA also turned out to be a big sing along song.

I love the floating head Lindsey for I Know I'm Not Wrong!

There was a mistake at the beginning of Save You Love Me; seemed like they weren't sure what song came next for a minute.

Only song I would give a B to would be World Turning, just because it didn't seem like Lindsey played it with the same flair he used to.

Show ended about 10:45pm, so little over 2.5 hours. Mick brought his two youngest daughters out at the end.

10/10!

[michelej1]

I love that show, but just not sure how many FM fans watch it.

You could be right, though..

But I think the thought is that it brought the Stevie and/or the band some NEW fans. So, it's in the set for those additional people. Maybe they'll come to this concert and keep coming in the future.

Michele

[michelej1]

Review from Chicago-

First, I forgot my camera cord at work, so I have to wait until tomorrow to post pictures. We'll see how many turned out okay.

It was fantastic! I think Stevie's voice is probably the best it's been since The Dance. I was surprised by how good Rhiannon sounded. I think the biggest sing along song turned out to be Little Lies. I think Seven Wonders was the one with the least amount of crowd reaction, but nothing bad. A lot of applause for Big Love, I'm So Afraid; NGBA also turned out to be a big sing along song.



I think it's great that Little Lies is getting singalong action. Things are so evenly distributed among the 3 singers. They all have something comparable to offer, but in different ways. This has always been true, but it still amazes me.

Glad Chicago sounds like a great show as well.

Michele

[SadAngel86]

My video of "The Chain."

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/klDTuJmcBi4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More to come.

[SadAngel86]

Second Hand News

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W-uKcO4rNUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You Make Loving Fun

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_wIa41lIIBE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

All videos are mine.

[Erin]

Another night, another lovely evening with Christine McVie and oh yeah, all those other people...

Photos (better than my Minneapolis photos, turns out it's better to be farther back!):

https://plus.google.com/photos/116405077339730749395/albums/6065847664515123953

Seven Wonders:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HENAumRRtlw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Songbird:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Jdjk2J5gJxI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SteveMacD]

Great show, but not crazy about the running order. Definite flow issues.

Everybody looked and sounded great, and it was especially great seeing the McVies. There's something very triumphant about those two being on the road this year.

The biggest gripe I have is Lindsey seems to be a lot more timid with his electric playing. His acoustic playing is superb, but his electric playing seemed pretty week, except on his own songs. The Chain, SYLM, Rhiannon, WT, SOTM, and OMH came off as bland and lacking, and in all cases the issue was lack of powerful electric guitar from Lindsey.

I'm also really not digging the mini-Mac. They seem more in the way than before. In my dream world, they'd retire the mini-Mac, especially Steve, who we're apparently not supposed to notice, but almost everybody not on the floor can see. Maybe keep Brett for the occasional extra guitar or keyboard part, but only sparingly.

In all, a fun night I never though I'd ever see again.

[nicole21290]

Thanks for the wonderful photos and videos! :)

[SteveMacD]

From the youtube clips, for me personally Little Lies was the highlight! It's the first time the full band has played it, has so much more punch than the tango tour
It sounded about the same, and I was hoping to be blown away. Lindsey's voice even sounds a little like Billy on it. That's okay, though. It was also a highlight of the 1990 tour for me. However, it's not better, per se.

[SadAngel86]

I Know I'm Not Wrong

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nqB5dNP0GUw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Say That You Love Me

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L3YJRHaKk2E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SadAngel86]

Last post from me for tonight, I promise.

Here are the photos I took tonight. I'll have more videos to post tomorrow, but first I need sleep!

https://plus.google.com/photos/115246225063113162044/albums/6065855640626794241

[Little Queenie]

Back from the show! Awesome night! I really should be sleeping...oh well, the things I do for The Mac.

Christine McVie is serious magic!!!! The audience was really crazy awesome too, cheering just about everything and anything!

Here are a few instagram posts. Also I was only able to record a few videos. I've only posted "You Make Lovin' Fun" so far to YouTube.

Also I did record the whole show on audio so I am actually working on cutting that up right now and making it sound purdy. Hopefully I will have that up later today.

[PenguinHead]

Great show, but not crazy about the running order. Definite flow issues.

Everybody looked and sounded great, and it was especially great seeing the McVies. There's something very triumphant about those two being on the road this year.

I'm also really not digging the mini-Mac. They seem more in the way than before. In my dream world, they'd retire the mini-Mac, especially Steve, who we're apparently not supposed to notice, but almost everybody not on the floor can see. Maybe keep Brett for the occasional extra guitar or keyboard part, but only sparingly.

In all, a fun night I never though I'd ever see again.

Interesting, because on the last tour I thought they did a great job of keeping the mini-mac mostly out of sight. You know they were there, but they weren't a visual distraction. At one brief point, the back curtain opened slightly, and I saw a support drummer who wasn't even on stage.

I hate admit it, but the mini mac are vital component that make their live performances so strong musically and vocally. They smooth over the rough edges.

I am glad I got to see them on their Mirage tour, where the only limited support might have been Lindsey's guitar tech providing acoustic guitar. They were were averaging in their late thirties then.

Concerts and expectations were very different then. Expenses are higher and corporations are now heavily invested. It's all about Wall Street. Audiences also now expect a slicker show now, especially since ticket prices average $150 to $400 and upward. My Mirage ticket was $35 (including service fees). It's another world now. In the sixties, you would pay $3 to $6 to see a show.

[Little Queenie]

You Make Lovin' Fun
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HFIl8Ll7uWg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Angie1980]

Thank you to all of you guys out there who put up clips, pics and reviews of the shows. I am sitting here in Sweden with so far no tickets for any shows since I have to cross the Atlantic in order to get to any of the concerts and at this point I have no possibility to do that.

I am 6 hours a head of EST time and the first thing i do every morning after a concert is to check the ledge for the latest on last nights concert. It is soo much fun.

On the last tour the highlight was to check out the latest Without you intro :)

Don't know yet what this tour's highlight is going to be....

After seeing all the clips from the opening show it almost seems like both Stevie and Lindsey is keeping a somewhat low key to give Christine enough "space" and attention considering that the two of them are used owning the stage and running the show. Now that you see how it is WITH Christine being back it is as if Stevie and Lindsey (especially Stevie) used to feel that they had to "be so much more" in order to fill the space caused by Christine not being there. This time it is Fleetwood Mac the band on tour NOT the Stevie and Lindsey show.....

With that being said....I REALLY like what I have seen on youtube and I am sooo incredibly jealous of all of you that get to go to the shows. I think they sound terrific together. LOVE to hear Stevie and Christine singing harmonies. I think Stevies voice is the best it has been in a looong time. Sounds amazing!

I love the Chicago clip of Seven Wonders, look how relaxed and HAPPY Stevie is!!!! Definately my favorite clip so far. You can see how she really is enjoying herself, being relaxed and smiling. Love it!!!!

Turned out to be a longer post than planned but since I rarely post I guess I had it coming :)

[Little Queenie]

My Instagram posts

The Chain
http://instagram.com/p/trbxpaTNUy/

You Make Lovin' Fun
http://instagram.com/p/trb-WZTNVB/

Christine giving thanks
http://instagram.com/p/trcIkqTNVJ/

Tusk
http://instagram.com/p/trcbS7TNVV/

Say You Love Me
http://instagram.com/p/trc4PRzNVy/

Seven Wonders
http://instagram.com/p/trdAjCTNV6/

Little Lies
http://instagram.com/p/trdK9ATNWK/

GYOW
http://instagram.com/p/trdV3RTNWZ/

Waiting for encore - cool cellphone flashlights, bro!
http://instagram.com/p/trdhk-TNWv/

World Turning
http://instagram.com/p/trdx_zzNXD/

Songbird
http://instagram.com/p/treDE2TNXU/

Stevie's last thoughts lol
http://instagram.com/p/tres2eTNX2/

That's all for now. And because one needs sleep, I will have the complete audio ready later! Goodnight!

[jmn3]

It sounded about the same, and I was hoping to be blown away. Lindsey's voice even sounds a little like Billy on it. That's okay, though. It was also a highlight of the 1990 tour for me. However, it's not better, per se.

It's funny you said that - I thought the exact same thing when I saw the video from the Minneapolis show...Lindsey's "tell me tell me lies" sounded exactly like Billy to my ears.

[AnthonyMI]

I saw FM on the Unleashed tour in 2009, and lemme tell you, I am gonna rename that tour the "Stevie Don't Give a *****" tour.... because, compared to last night, it was OVIOUS that in 2009 she hated being there!! From Dreams onward you could just tell she was giving 100% on Every Single Note that came out of her mouth!!! She sounded great. At least as good as on the Dance tour.


I think that Christine has been frozen in Carbonite since 1998. She sounds the same, if not better than the bootlegs of the Dance Tour that I have collected over the years. She literally sounds exactly like she did for The Dance DVD. She even is hitting the high notes in Don't Stop better than she did end of the last tour in UK when she joined FM onstage at the end of the tour. She is BACK.

Little Lies was a treat, and so was Seven Wonders. Nice to have THREE TITN songs back in the set. I just wish that Mirage would get more love than just Gypsy and that Tusk would get more love than Tusk and I Know Im Not Wrong though I think that Sisters of the MOon is a slight improvment over last tour's SOTM. Stevie seems to be trying for a more dynamic vocal on it at least. And Christine's added keyboard organ is better than whatever I heard from last tour.

Im confused what happened at beginging of Say You Love Me. Christine was playing something totally different than the beginging of SYLM.

AND Another thing I noticed, Christine was NOT playing the beginning chords of Silver Springs!!!! She was bent over and turned around from her keyboard messing with her monitor behind her while the downward descending notes of SS were playing!!! What is that all about? Was she supposed to be PRETENDING to play piano and missed her queue? Whhaaaaaa? Please don't tell me she was pantomiming the whole show!?!

The United Center venue was WARM and Humid inside. DUring the concert there was a severe thunderstorm outside and by time we got back outside it was much cooler.

[soul_drifter333]

Seven Wonders sounds great! I was scared it would sound strained, or worse, she would be screaming the lyrics.


Another night, another lovely evening with Christine McVie and oh yeah, all those other people...

Photos (better than my Minneapolis photos, turns out it's better to be farther back!):

https://plus.google.com/photos/116405077339730749395/albums/6065847664515123953

Seven Wonders:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HENAumRRtlw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Songbird:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Jdjk2J5gJxI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mtkad]

AND Another thing I noticed, Christine was NOT playing the beginning chords of Silver Springs!!!! She was bent over and turned around from her keyboard messing with her monitor behind her while the downward descending notes of SS were playing!!! What is that all about? Was she supposed to be PRETENDING to play piano and missed her queue? Whhaaaaaa? Please don't tell me she was pantomiming the whole show!?!


Silver Springs is lowered to B now compared to the original key of C. As a piano player that's a nightmare key to play in. All the black keys. So i'm guessing that's why?

[jkmaletic]

Definitely improved Seven Wonders from the first show! Plus, Stevie was smiling quite a bit at audience members - something that she usually doesn't do so much of at Mac shows (compared to solo).

Great to see. :)

[jwd]

https://plus.google.com/photos/116405077339730749395/albums/6065847664515123953

Seven Wonders:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HENAumRRtlw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



Damn, that was good! I love it when Stevie is singing with passion and not just phoning it in. Thanks for sharing your video!

[SpyNote]

and that Tusk would get more love than Tusk and I Know Im Not Wrong though I think that Sisters of the MOon is a slight improvment over last tour's SOTM. Stevie seems to be trying for a more dynamic vocal on it at least. And Christine's added keyboard organ is better than whatever I heard from last tour.

The Tusk section needs to be reworked. "Tusk" and IKINW are fine, but "Sisters" just isn't very interesting today without the vocal fire. It's all very one-note, and the last verse ("So we make our choices") gets drowned out by Lindsey guitar. "Think About Me" and "Angel" would be my picks for replacements.

[Turn It On]

Good to see they still have that extra percussionist hidden behind Mick and Lindsey whose existence they seem to completely deny...:lol:

[MusicInferno]

One question: Why does Stevie keep on putting one hand behind her back? Is she adjusting her mic pack?

[jwd]

You Make Loving Fun

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_wIa41lIIBE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

All videos are mine.


Nice capture of the song. The band sounds great! Can't say enough how fantastic it is seeing Christine back on stage with them. Love it when Stevie calls Chris "our girl"! Chris has pumped new life into this band!

The MAC IS BACK!!

Thanks for sharing your video!

[SadAngel86]

Fave pics I took from last night:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00216_zps7a5039b1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00220_zpscb5c7c41.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00211_zps74b789ee.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00214_zpsa807e759.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00199_zps6c037aae.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00198_zpsa8935f51.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00196_zps747d1e17.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00192_zps0e87fb33.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00191_zps67213bb6.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00103_zpsbe438a7a.jpg

The rest are here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115246225063113162044/albums/6065855640626794241

[jwd]

One question: Why does Stevie keep on putting one hand behind her back? Is she adjusting her mic pack?

Don't know, but as long as she's not using it to pantomime, I'm happy! :nod:

[wheart]

Don't know, but as long as she's not using it to pantomime, I'm happy! :nod:

it's her latest hand gesture!!

[jwd]

Fave pics I took from last night:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00199_zps6c037aae.jpg

This says it all, in more ways than one.

All of your photos turned out great! Thanks!

[jwd]

it's her latest hand gesture!!

I can live with that one! :D

[SpyNote]

Great pics, Sierra! Thanks for sharing. :woohoo:

[SpyNote]

One question: Why does Stevie keep on putting one hand behind her back? Is she adjusting her mic pack?

It kind of looks like a flask. :laugh: I think it adjusts the volume in her ear monitor.

[wheart]

This says it all, in more ways than one.

All of your photos turned out great! Thanks!

I absolutely love this pic!!!!! John looks great, much younger I think with the weight loss.

[Little Queenie]

Complete audio from Chicago 10-2-14

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2949/15243564310_55cfd14af6_z.jpg
photo courtesy of me from my sad little seat :)

The sound quality came out pretty well. The audio really does capture how excited the audience were.

I do apologize for the very odd people around me. Also there so many people walking in and out of my aisle so sometimes the audio might sound a little funny...so annoying.

Anyways, here is the download. If you guys wants to re-upload these yourselves, go ahead because the bandwidth on my media fire might reach its limit. I'm putting up links for both individual songs and the entire show.

Warning : they are somewhat large files! but I've also uploaded a really compressed version but there obviously will be loss in audio quality. So download what you like:)

Recorded with Tascam DR-07 (Section 319), 256 K, CBR, 44.1K > uploaded to Pro-Tools >added Compression and EQ

blah bah blah & ENJOY!!!!!

Fleetwood Mac Live in Chicago, IL at the United Center 10-2-14

Update 10-5-14 : I re-uploaded the audio because I needed to fix the EQ on it. So now it doesn't sound so harsh on the higher frequencies.

Download whole show in parts
Part 1 (The Chain - Tusk) https://www.sendspace.com/file/0gedvd
Part 2 (SOTM - Gypsy) https://www.sendspace.com/file/z7g17x
Part 3 (Little Lies - GYOW) https://www.sendspace.com/file/cwt3rx
Part 4 (World Turning - Songbird) https://www.sendspace.com/file/qclj7q

Complete show (compressed version, there will be a bit loss of audio quality) https://www.sendspace.com/file/oq2oza

Individual songs :
The Chain (5:34) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/feoaye2qp77yga9/01_The_Chain.mp3)
You Make Lovin' Fun (4:16) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ckkmhzu38k1aj24/02_You_Make_Lovin'_Fun.mp3)
Dreams (4:37) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/t014zukcsx00a6g/03_Dreams.mp3)
Second Hand News (3:30) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/8nhcae6wgsys6cb/04_Second_Hand_News.mp3)
Rhiannon (5:40) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/e4w393kziikmkp3/05_Rhiannon.mp3)
Everywhere (6:39) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/yc0ygv4nkpedoli/06_Everywhere.mp3)
I Know I'm Not Wrong (4:16) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/6w6pfhjiwiyr9ov/07_I_Know_I'm_Not_Wrong.mp3)
Tusk (4:57) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/41bik8kkmbriksi/08_Tusk.mp3)
Sisters of the Moon (4:58) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/z8k9hp936c94pe5/09_Sisters_of_the_Moon.mp3)
Say You Love Me (5:24) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/5r6fc1nhdjvzku1/10_Say_You_Love_Me.mp3)
Seven Wonders (5:50) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/1di7a29ypcxyi6x/11_Seven_Wonders.mp3)
Big Love (5:02) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/aa65ysbbhtzorff/12_Big_Love.mp3)
Landslide (4:33) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/4p8d5oakrd8647n/13_Landslide.mp3)
Never Going Back Again (5:52) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ffpzdy19gsmwl18/14_Never_Going_Back_Again.mp3)
Over My Head (5:08) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/h3u0aj1a4ok8jsp/15_Over_My_Head.mp3)
Gypsy (5:10) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/d79v64qvojudbaj/16_Gypsy.mp3)
Little Lies (4:11) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/9av4fp71ewq38zb/17_Little_Lies.mp3)
Gold Dust Woman (10:57) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ewj79ieidv2n3jj/18_Gold_Dust_Woman.mp3)
I'm So Afraid (9:23) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/wmsu2pkoip5gnzf/19_I'm_So_Afraid.mp3)
Go Your Own Way (8:29) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/2n8t1yzqqdh0wy9/20_Go_Your_Own_Way.mp3)
World Turning (8:34) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/mpn1ki6phngcees/21_World_Turning.mp3)
Band Intros (4:08) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/cosud6lsanci6ej/22_Band_Intros.mp3)
Don't Stop (5:00) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/7x99ljn5ott34v6/23_Don't_Stop.mp3)
Silver Springs (7:48) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/v641h8law4463ca/24_Silver_Springs.mp3)
Songbird (7:48) (http://www.mediafire.com/listen/61ydsx31139xs3y/25_Songbird.mp3)

[Erin]

Thank you for the audio!

[jkmaletic]

Right on ! Thanks so much for the audio! !

[Kubrick2788]

I have to agree with someone that posted earlier. The difference already between 7W on nights one and two is enormous. Stevie looks like she's into it and that makes a big difference. I just wish Lindsey was playing like he did during the SYW shows... Probably catching 2 shows this time. I think they're going to be great. Regardless, I get to hear Songbird. That's fine with me. Here's hoping Sara drops in to replace SOTM (even though it is a touch better on this tour). I'll add to the chorus of folks wanting Hold Me instead of OMH as well. Counting down to Pittsburgh and Colombus.

[michelej1]

Another night, another lovely evening with Christine McVie and oh yeah, all those other people...



Oh this is wonderful. Thank you. I love seeing the little differences from show to show.

Michele

[michelej1]

Fave pics I took from last night:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/vteen2002/Fleetwood%20Mac%202014%20Chicago%20IL%20NIght%201/DSC00211_zps74b789ee.jpg




Love it.

Michele

[michelej1]

Although, I really know zilch about it, I'm still 99% sure that Stevie's audio doesn't need as much adjusting as she gives it every, single night. It's a nervous tic. That is my diagnosis.

Michele

[StreetAngel86]

Just don't drop "Little Lies" and "Seven Wonders." I can't believe there are actually 4 songs from Tango in the Night in the set. Maybe they'll add "Isn't It Midnight" by the time they get to Europe. :thumbsup:

oh my yes.
and TANGO for the Aussie dates :thumbsup:

[jkmaletic]

Although, I really know zilch about it, I'm still 99% sure that Stevie's audio doesn't need as much adjusting as she gives it every, single night. It's a nervous tic. That is my diagnosis.

Michele

I concur with that diagnosis, Dr. Michele.

She likely suffers from "digital fixation".

:nod:

[Wdm6789]

I have to agree with someone that posted earlier. The difference already between 7W on nights one and two is enormous. Stevie looks like she's into it and that makes a big difference. I just wish Lindsey was playing like he did during the SYW shows... Probably catching 2 shows this time. I think they're going to be great. Regardless, I get to hear Songbird. That's fine with me. Here's hoping Sara drops in to replace SOTM (even though it is a touch better on this tour). I'll add to the chorus of folks wanting Hold Me instead of OMH as well. Counting down to Pittsburgh and Colombus.



I really want Sara and Hold Me. Blue Letter would be an awesome encore.

I only keep complaining because according to the leaks, they rehearsed those songs and everyone here was very optimistic about the leaks being real.

[elle]

I really want Sara and Hold Me. Blue Letter would be an awesome encore.

I only keep complaining because according to the leaks, they rehearsed those songs and everyone here was very optimistic about the leaks being real.

and yet we now know the leaks were wrong.

we've heard you. 1000s of times.

if you want to say it to the band, go to the show and tell them. or talk to Mick at m&g. it won't help you much, but you can try.

[Dragonfly]

I have to agree with someone that posted earlier. The difference already between 7W on nights one and two is enormous. Stevie looks like she's into it and that makes a big difference. I just wish Lindsey was playing like he did during the SYW shows... Probably catching 2 shows this time. I think they're going to be great. Regardless, I get to hear Songbird. That's fine with me. Here's hoping Sara drops in to replace SOTM (even though it is a touch better on this tour). I'll add to the chorus of folks wanting Hold Me instead of OMH as well. Counting down to Pittsburgh and Colombus.

Yes, Seven Wonders sounded a lot better. It's always difficult to judge the first few nights, this line-up hasn't played together for so long and the likes of Seven Wonders and Little Lies were only played live without Lindsey. It is baffling why Hold Me and Sara were omitted, both were hits, I even like the supposed lacklustre version of Hold Me that's floating around YouTube but they must have their reasons.

I agree about Lindsey's guitar playing, just listening to YMLF and his lack of licks was very noticeable which is a bit of a shame as he and Christine have always jammed so well on that song. Still think it sounds great though.

Thanks again to everyone who took the trouble to post the photos and vids/audio:thumbsup:

[Montclare]

Finally got my pictures from last night up!

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/MontclareFM/library/Fleetwood%20Mac%20Concert?sort=2&page=1

Sierra- you must have a fantastic zoom on your camera. I know you were further back than me, but it doesn't look like it! I love that picture of John and the Lindsey/Christine hug.

[secondhandchain]

Wow Christine clearly isn't playing on Silver Springs...that bums me out. How much of this is piped in?

[vivfox]

I really want Hold Me.


.
we've heard you. 1000s of times.

if you want to say it to the band, go to the show and tell them. or talk to Mick at m&g. it won't help you much, but you can try.


I have to agree with elle here. I'm getting worn out by your insistence that Hold Me be added into the set.

[vivfox]

The rest are here: https://plus.google.com/photos/115246225063113162044/albums/6065855640626794241

I loved your pics. Oddly though my favorite was the second one you took of the arena while it was still mostly empty and the lights still on.

[Wdm6789]

I have to agree with elle here. I'm getting worn out by your insistence that Hold Me be added into the set.


Yeah sorry, I'll stop. I guess I got my point across. Lol

[bethelblues]

Wow Christine clearly isn't playing on Silver Springs...that bums me out. How much of this is piped in?

How many sections of songs are pre-recorded? Besides Tusk, I think beginning of Little Lies, maybe I Know I'm Not Wrong. Maybe Seven Wonders has a backing track. I can't believe I'm asking this but could anything be lip-synched? And what happened with last night's Say You Love Me? Is Christine not playing on other songs too? Too many questions lol

[secondhandchain]

How many sections of songs are pre-recorded? Besides Tusk, I think beginning of Little Lies, maybe I Know I'm Not Wrong. Maybe Seven Wonders has a backing track. I can't believe I'm asking this but could anything be lip-synched? And what happened with last night's Say You Love Me? Is Christine not playing on other songs too? Too many questions lol

I think the lead vocals are real, to imperfect. Did Christine hit the wrong button for Say You love me? Oh boy.

[Turn It On]

They're definitely using a backing track on I Know I'm Not Wrong. (For the da da's, if nothing else. Everywhere, Seven Wonders, Little Lies, Tusk - they're all using a backing track - maybe the studio version? Also check out I'm So Afraid - Lindsey is not playing all that guitar, I'm afraid. The vocals, the lead ones, anyway, I'm pretty sure they're live.

Oh, and they're still hiding that extra drummer behind Mick and Lindsey.

[BigAl84]

Let's not get using a keyboard to play specific sampled parts confused with using a backing track. I don't think they are using a full on backing track for anything. Are certain sound effects and little parts sampled and uploaded to a keyboard, I bet they are.

Christine's keyboards have a ton of built in functionality. Most likely she hit a wrong button that caused the first bar of chords to either repeat and or / changed her settings all together. I highly doubt Christine is standing up there miming to a recording.

[StreetAngel86]

Wow Christine clearly isn't playing on Silver Springs...that bums me out. How much of this is piped in?

she's not playing??????
on ANY of it??
even after Stevie banged on about that whole part that Christine invented?

blasphemy.

maybe she's forgotten how to play?

{eta: i'm totally joking btw :lol:}

but Lindsey not playing guitar? really? :O

[BigAl84]

Also, just a thought...i'm no expert...back in the day Chris used to do a lot of playing on two different boards at once. One hand on each playing different parts. It's possible that she can have one part programmed on one keyboard, allowing her to use both hands to amp up the other part - instead of having it split between two hands.

[mike_nh]

what the hell is going on???? I thought it was pretty low of them hiding extra players backstage but now there questions about what's live and what's not? I saw the silver springs footage of christine not playing. now I wonder if this is just for a payday?

[bethelblues]

How do you synch a live guitar solo to backing track of guitar playing? That's very elaborate...Lindsey would have to know exactly when to play or not play something. Very interesting...I did not expect this on I'm So Afraid.

Listen: The entire music industry basically mimes concerts. All this business of artists like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Celine Dion, Rhianna, Madonna singing everything live is just not true. More than half Michael Jackson's concerts were lip-synched before his HIS-tory album. It used to be hilarious...you'd see them bring a girl up onstage for "You are not alone" and he'd be hiding his mouth when she hugged him and the singing kept going. It can be easy to spot for the dancers, when their vocals do not waver with movement. Touring is rough, and it's a game, especially when it's night after night. I hope Fleetwood Mac is doing everything live, but there is certainly tricks they use as we are speculating (the technology is now there to make it very convincing). Maybe Christine is nervous and has pre-recorded piano parts to start songs? She certainly looked a bit nervous in the up close HD videos. Maybe that explains the Say You Love Me debacle?

[jmac95]

Chris played the Grand Piano on silver springs for the dance so could it be that one of the backing musicians is playing that backstage and she is playing another part on the electric? I would say she is playing most of the time because on songs like Don't Stop you can hear the difference between mini macs style last tour and her style this tour and when she was with them before.

[bethelblues]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLOMz0SbH-Y

This, to me, looks like Christine pressed the wrong button. She doesn't look like she's playing, right? I think she was looking for help...like "oh crap, what happened? what'd I do" It's probably pre-recorded, the intro (or the entire part). And she counts off for the entire crew. Hmmm, this is interesting. Could explain why Christine was so nervous in 1997, and now they have technology to make her feel better on stage?

[Turn It On]

Actually, that's one thing I thought was being done live. Listen to the way it ends - I can't understand why someone would programme it to sound like that. I think if you pay very close attention, you can probably make out what is being done 'as live', what is being done by Neale, Brett & the Hidden Drummer, and what is being played in. I think there is a lot of stuff being used to fill in the sound and soften the rougher edges, but focus carefully, and you can hear Christine and Lindsey's playing. It's quite distinctive after all. However, it's been heavily masked in an effort to make it sound better, or at least closer to the studio versions.

[SadAngel86]

Finally got my pictures from last night up!

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/MontclareFM/library/Fleetwood%20Mac%20Concert?sort=2&page=1

Sierra- you must have a fantastic zoom on your camera. I know you were further back than me, but it doesn't look like it! I love that picture of John and the Lindsey/Christine hug.

Thanks! I bought a new one back in April after I bought the tickets to replace my aging Cybershot from around 2009 or so. It has twice the zoom as my old one (and the digital zoom is clear, it doesn't blur) So it's an upgraded Sony Cybershot.

I love those photos too! They are making the rounds on social media!

[tabruns]

I absolutely LOVED last night's concert. It was breathtaking. Christine got massive applause for being back. All the songs they did were incredible. Big applause getters: "Rhiannon", "Say You Love Me", "Big Love" (afterward), "Gypsy". "Landslide" had such an incredible sing-along going in the crowd that Nicks started conducting the crowd. I loved Stevie's top hat during "Go Your Own Way". Many times throughout the show the band members referred to this new chapter of the group and how we should be expecting a lot to come from them; they definitely made it sound like albums and tours galore.

[Montclare]

Thanks! I bought a new one back in April after I bought the tickets to replace my aging Cybershot from around 2009 or so. It has twice the zoom as my old one (and the digital zoom is clear, it doesn't blur) So it's an upgraded Sony Cybershot.

Funny, mine's a Sony Cybershot too. Just got it a couple of weeks ago.

[michelej1]

Chicago Now, by J.A., October 3, 2014

Rocktober Day 3: Fleetwood Mac at the United Center - a concert for the (middle) ages

I can't hold the the rope much longer in my epic tug-of-war with Denial, and the concerts I’ve attended recently are doing nothing to firm up my grip: Alanis Morissette at Caesar’s. A Go-Go’s romp at Ravinia. And last night: Fleetwood Mac. One look at my fellow concert-goers, and it is clear that it won’t be long, now, before I am pulled over the line, and must finally surrender to the truth: I am a middle-aged adult.

With tickets for last night's show starting at over $100 for seats BEHIND THE STAGE, the crowd was certainly more yoga’d and designer eyeglasses'd than the plastic beer cup crowd at Alanis' show at Caesar’s, last weekend. (You Live, You Learn, I guess) This was no low-dough show.

And nor should it be. Fleetwood Mac is a legendary rock band. This is their 35th year as a band, and they sold out the United Center. Twice. As a person whose last piece of writing was seen by 67 people, I have only mad respect for what this band has accomplished. (Stevie Nicks told a story about how, in 1969, she and Lindsay were in a band that opened for Janis….. Jimi…. So, yeah.)

For most concert-goers, the evening fell into one of two categories: either a fancy date night, or "GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT! WOOOOO!” The combined 401K wealth in the arena had to have been in the low billions. I would be willing to bet that Weight Watchers had made money off of at least 85% of the women in the room at some point in their lives: a meeting, or at the very, very least, a one month on-line susbscription. This was a crowd of women who knew their way around a point slide, myself included. That's not a judgement call. It's just a rite of passage.

For Fleetwood Mac, the night was about Christine McVie's return after a sixteen year absence. It was something the band had long ago written off as a possibility. Stevie Nicks once said about Christine’s departure: She went to England and she has never been back since 1998, so it's not really feasible, as much as we would all like to think that she'll just change her mind one day. I don't think it'll happen. We love her, so we had to let her go. (Digital Spy, 12/6/12) And last night, she was back.

I noticed that in both the flashing LED band photo that covered the entire side of the United Center, then again on the stage, Christine McVie looked less like a rock star, and more like a nice breakfast waitress from Denny’s. She moved to the beat like a wallflower aunt at a wedding: step left, feet together. Step right, feet together. She delivered the best one-liner of the night. When introduced at the beginning of the night to a thunderous ovation, Stevie Nicks jokingly asked her, “So where’ve ya been?” And Christine said: “Long story.” She thanked the crowd and the band for having her back with a sincerity that filled the arena.

So what really happened last night? What did I see? Because I don’t believe that what happened up there was really, well, rock and roll. There was fine musicianship, sure. A string of hits that will forever be in rotation on Classic Rock stations, absolutely. But rock and roll? Mick Fleetwood’s drum set sounded like it was run through a Garage Band “arena drum kit” filter on an iMac. Lindsay Buckinham still wears skinny jeans like a rock star boss, I’ll give him that. But where once Stevie Nicks was a mad whirling dervish on stage, we now atta-girl clapped when she did four slowwww motion turns without falling. Watching a rock show in a venue as monstrous as the United Center is akin to watching, say, a foosball match in an operating room theater. If your car stereo sounded like what was coming out of the speakers, you would turn your radio off, take it to the shop, and ask them to fix your crappy speakers.

Nope. No new stories were built atop Fleetwood Mac’s legendary structure, Thursday night. That concert was about looking at the band, and at each other, and saying,


“We are all still here. And that's awesome.”

The oeuvre of Fleetwood Mac emerged during our formative milestones: our first slow dances. The great heartbreak. Our first weddings. Some first divorces. Some second weddings. Many funerals.

But we are all still here, and that's awesome. This idea seems especially poignant in the wake of the iconic losses of recents months. It’s getting serious, guys. We have reached the age when, frankly, life is no longer to be taken for granted. These are the days of second winds and now-or-nevers. Because we are still here. And that's awesome.

Rock stars are the royal family of fantasy: what is more mystical, more mythical than a rock star? They are our collective projections of our greatest desires, set to music. So who better than the bonafide rock legends of Fleetwood Mac to play out one of the greatest fantasies of all time: that someone we love will someday come back to us.

(Now if I was a craptastic writer, then here at the bottom, I would write, "So Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow!" But I won’t. You’re welcome.)

***

That's my piece and that's my peace. Thank you for taking the time to read my silly words. It means the world. Carry on...

[Andy Man]

Chicago Now, by J.A., October 3, 2014


Rock stars are the royal family of fantasy: what is more mystical, more mythical than a rock star? They are our collective projections of our greatest desires, set to music. So who better than the bonafide rock legends of Fleetwood Mac to play out one of the greatest fantasies of all time: that someone we love will someday come back to us.



This is a beautiful passage from the review. Could be the best sentiment towards Christine's return.

[SadAngel86]

Funny, mine's a Sony Cybershot too. Just got it a couple of weeks ago.

Is it the HSC-DX50V? If so, that's the one I have.

[SadAngel86]

I loved your pics. Oddly though my favorite was the second one you took of the arena while it was still mostly empty and the lights still on.

Interesting. Why is that you're favorite?

[Montclare]

Is it the HSC-DX50V? If so, that's the one I have.

Nope, mine's the DSC-WX80. Yours is definitely more high tech!

[tabruns]

Chicago Now, by J.A., October 3, 2014

Rocktober Day 3: Fleetwood Mac at the United Center - a concert for the (middle) ages

I can't hold the the rope much longer in my epic tug-of-war with Denial, and the concerts I’ve attended recently are doing nothing to firm up my grip: Alanis Morissette at Caesar’s. A Go-Go’s romp at Ravinia. And last night: Fleetwood Mac. One look at my fellow concert-goers, and it is clear that it won’t be long, now, before I am pulled over the line, and must finally surrender to the truth: I am a middle-aged adult.

With tickets for last night's show starting at over $100 for seats BEHIND THE STAGE, the crowd was certainly more yoga’d and designer eyeglasses'd than the plastic beer cup crowd at Alanis' show at Caesar’s, last weekend. (You Live, You Learn, I guess) This was no low-dough show.

And nor should it be. Fleetwood Mac is a legendary rock band. This is their 35th year as a band, and they sold out the United Center. Twice. As a person whose last piece of writing was seen by 67 people, I have only mad respect for what this band has accomplished. (Stevie Nicks told a story about how, in 1969, she and Lindsay were in a band that opened for Janis….. Jimi…. So, yeah.)

For most concert-goers, the evening fell into one of two categories: either a fancy date night, or "GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT! WOOOOO!” The combined 401K wealth in the arena had to have been in the low billions. I would be willing to bet that Weight Watchers had made money off of at least 85% of the women in the room at some point in their lives: a meeting, or at the very, very least, a one month on-line susbscription. This was a crowd of women who knew their way around a point slide, myself included. That's not a judgement call. It's just a rite of passage.

For Fleetwood Mac, the night was about Christine McVie's return after a sixteen year absence. It was something the band had long ago written off as a possibility. Stevie Nicks once said about Christine’s departure: She went to England and she has never been back since 1998, so it's not really feasible, as much as we would all like to think that she'll just change her mind one day. I don't think it'll happen. We love her, so we had to let her go. (Digital Spy, 12/6/12) And last night, she was back.

I noticed that in both the flashing LED band photo that covered the entire side of the United Center, then again on the stage, Christine McVie looked less like a rock star, and more like a nice breakfast waitress from Denny’s. She moved to the beat like a wallflower aunt at a wedding: step left, feet together. Step right, feet together. She delivered the best one-liner of the night. When introduced at the beginning of the night to a thunderous ovation, Stevie Nicks jokingly asked her, “So where’ve ya been?” And Christine said: “Long story.” She thanked the crowd and the band for having her back with a sincerity that filled the arena.

So what really happened last night? What did I see? Because I don’t believe that what happened up there was really, well, rock and roll. There was fine musicianship, sure. A string of hits that will forever be in rotation on Classic Rock stations, absolutely. But rock and roll? Mick Fleetwood’s drum set sounded like it was run through a Garage Band “arena drum kit” filter on an iMac. Lindsay Buckinham still wears skinny jeans like a rock star boss, I’ll give him that. But where once Stevie Nicks was a mad whirling dervish on stage, we now atta-girl clapped when she did four slowwww motion turns without falling. Watching a rock show in a venue as monstrous as the United Center is akin to watching, say, a foosball match in an operating room theater. If your car stereo sounded like what was coming out of the speakers, you would turn your radio off, take it to the shop, and ask them to fix your crappy speakers.

Nope. No new stories were built atop Fleetwood Mac’s legendary structure, Thursday night. That concert was about looking at the band, and at each other, and saying,


“We are all still here. And that's awesome.”

The oeuvre of Fleetwood Mac emerged during our formative milestones: our first slow dances. The great heartbreak. Our first weddings. Some first divorces. Some second weddings. Many funerals.

But we are all still here, and that's awesome. This idea seems especially poignant in the wake of the iconic losses of recents months. It’s getting serious, guys. We have reached the age when, frankly, life is no longer to be taken for granted. These are the days of second winds and now-or-nevers. Because we are still here. And that's awesome.

Rock stars are the royal family of fantasy: what is more mystical, more mythical than a rock star? They are our collective projections of our greatest desires, set to music. So who better than the bonafide rock legends of Fleetwood Mac to play out one of the greatest fantasies of all time: that someone we love will someday come back to us.

(Now if I was a craptastic writer, then here at the bottom, I would write, "So Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow!" But I won’t. You’re welcome.)

***

That's my piece and that's my peace. Thank you for taking the time to read my silly words. It means the world. Carry on...

So I get the point of "we're all still here" and heartily agree with the sentiment and weight of it, but I think it's silly to say "I don't believe that what happened up there was real rock and roll". The only way for that line to be true, and it's basically alluded to in the references to the Macsters ages, is that "real rock and roll" can only be a young person's game. And I don't believe that.

[vivfox]

Interesting. Why is that you're favorite?
It's my favorite because I like to see the inside of arenas with the lights on.

[michelej1]

So I get the point of "we're all still here" and heartily agree with the sentiment and weight of it, but I think it's silly to say "I don't believe that what happened up there was real rock and roll". The only way for that line to be true, and it's basically alluded to in the references to the Macsters ages, is that "real rock and roll" can only be a young person's game. And I don't believe that.

I agree. If the writer meant that the concert is more pop than "rock" then I would not disagree with that conclusion, but the idea that it's not rock because of their ages (as opposed to its sound) is ridiculous.

Michele

[michelej1]

Chicago Sun Times, October 3, 2014

[very nice piano picture of Christine, click for photo]

http://entertainment.suntimes.com/music/fleetwood-mac-celebrates-mcvies-return-grand-style-united-center/

BY JEFF ELBEL | FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA

A theme of celebration was evident at the United Center Thursday night, where Fleetwood Mac performed the second date of its On with the Show tour. The trip marks Fleetwood Mac’s first with its classic ‘70s lineup since supporting 1997’s “The Dance.”

Judging by anecdotes told from the stage, the return of Christine McVie remains a happy surprise to her band mates. On Thursday, it meant that fans could again hear favorite McVie singles “You Make Loving Fun,” “Over My Head” and “Little Lies.” Hearing standout “Don’t Stop” with McVie back at the piano was another treat.

The only evidence of jitters was a false start on “Say You Love Me.” “Let’s try that again,” said McVie with a smile. The band shook off the mistake, and a supportive crowd doubled its force as backup choir. McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham savored the song’s final harmonies.

If Nicks was singing somewhat cautiously during “Rhiannon,” she soon found her voice during “Sisters of the Moon.” Nicks crafted a mysterious mood that built to fever pitch. She proved equally powerful during “Gold Dust Woman,” amplifying the drama with theatrical poses and shadows cast through a sparkling shawl. She earned an ovation for twirling steps in her billowing black dress during “Gypsy.”

John McVie appeared fit, with a clean bill of health following cancer treatment. Low-key in more ways than one, the reliable but reticent bassist provided a note-perfect and steady pulse during songs like “Tusk” and “Dreams.”

Buckingham took the spotlight for the riveting “Big Love,” a song he introduced as testament to the power and influence of change. Buckingham reveled in the energy of set closer “Go Your Own Way,” climbing Mick Fleetwood’s drum riser to bash a cymbal between strums of his guitar.

A constellation of iPhone flashlights brought Fleetwood Mac back for an encore, with former couple Buckingham and Nicks crossing the stage hand in hand. The band dug into an electrifying and bluesy “World Turning.”

Drum solos can sometimes seem like endurance tests for a rock audience. It’s a rare joy to witness one wherein the drummer seems to experience as much giddy delight as Mick Fleetwood did. He whooped and howled, coaxing the crowd in call-and-response shouts while demonstrating his singular rhythmic sensibility. Overhead cameras revealed the indulgence of his monogrammed drumheads. “A whole lot of fun,” said Fleetwood afterward.

Stevie Nicks lingered after the band’s final bow. “You guys are the dreamcatchers,” she said. “We got our dream girl back,” she added, referring to ex-retiree McVie. “I believe that somehow, it was all of us together that made her come back.”

Thursday’s set list drew exclusively from five vintage albums, looking fondly backward to recapture a particular spark. The band made clear that it’s not finished stoking that fire. Fleetwood introduced Buckingham as the man “always with an eye on the future of this band.” Buckingham himself cited the band’s new chapter. “It is going to go on for a long time and be very fruitful,” he said.

The band returns for a second show Friday night at the United Center.

[michelej1]

^ That's my take on SOTM as well, that it strikes a mysterious mood that builds to fever pitch with Stevie yelling at the end. The frantic way she gets reminds me of the old Rhiannon days, actually.

How does everyone know about the iPhone flashlight except me?? It was like everyone else in the room did it automatically by secret agreement. You don't invite me to your meetings.

Michele

[AliceLover]

^ That's my take on SOTM as well, that it strikes a mysterious mood that builds to fever pitch with Stevie yelling at the end. The frantic way she gets reminds me of the old Rhiannon days, actually.

How does everyone know about the iPhone flashlight except me?? It was like everyone else in the room did it automatically by secret agreement. You don't invite me to your meetings.

Michele

I was surprised at how much she kicked up the vocal for the 10/3 show.

[ragrsrocalot]

WOW!!!

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ub-F1szzO74?rel=0&amp;controls=0&amp;showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[NurseDJackson]

Interesting thread...some nice thoughts about what went on Thursday night. When I saw FM in 2003-04 there were a ton of people on stage with them, including this tour's hidden Steve...don't know why he was hidden this time (and he didn't appear to be playing a trap set at any point---he was often visible in the background of close-up shots), don't know why Sharon and Lori had to be in silhouette most of the night, either (considering that any high note heard over the course of the set was coming from Celani). As per the questions about Christine's playing, it seemed like she was playing the entire night, even if there was that "half" part of SYLM before they stopped and started again. You could see it in the audience...everyone was like, "we know that boogie woogie beat" but not...quite....I didn't see the incident during Silver Springs, but for the most part it appeared as though McVie was playing, and I agree with others that it had her distinctive flair, albeit with parts augmented by the non-hidden (was it) Brett Tuggle.

SOTM was the first non "hit" song of the night and some people used it as an opportunity to take a little break. Thought she sounded great on it and enjoyed the "old lady" version...there was a little bit of Glenn Danzig in her "sistah"!!! Agree that it's definitely better than the versions I've heard from the last tour. Another example of how much Xtine McVie adds...

Maybe IKINW was the first offical non-hit, but the crazy/ridiculous psychopathic hypnosis visuals of that song, the trainwreck-of-it-all, was enough to keep people glued to their seats....

7 Wonders, from where I was sitting, got a great reaction from the crowd. Everyone seemed to love it and she killed it. Great song. The not-exactly-explanatory "American Horror Story: Coven" announcement at the end was funny as ****!

I concur that Little Lies was the hit of the night. One of my companions said that "they finally played McVie's songs like rock songs" and they all sounded great.
And her voice was fantastic. Just a slight drop, maybe a half-step, but more velvety and rich than her young years, if that's possible. Just Really good. She made the night just so fantastic.

BOTH MCVIES ARE TOO THIN, though! The reason for one is obvious, but I hope it's a healthy thin and not a "wrecked by chemo/radiation" thin...no one has ever given that man his dues as a musician. He's been standing there quietly for, what, 46-47 years?

Mick Fleetwood is a wonder to behold. It's the first time I've seen him do a drum solo without the horrid digital vest and MY GOD WAS IT FANTASTIC! However, him and Stevie both needing a moment at the end was a little much. Bringing out your tween daughters (what is this, his like 3rd round of kids)....but perhaps that all stemmed from Buckingham being on stage with McVie during Songbird. They could have all just given her the moment (or come back and did Farmer's Daughter)...but between the "dreamcatchers" speech and the "look, I have kids to support" bit....the impact of Songbird was a little ruined.

GDW was a revelation. Nicks can always find a way to add to that song and take 25,000 people to a trance place. The "the crackhead dance" and the additional lyrics on top of the additional lyrics were awesome! She did this crazy Sheela-Na-Gig squat...everyone went nuts!

Some of the visuals were unnecessary, like the Rhiannon character, but I suppose they figure they need something extra these days. Beyond that, I don't know how much "faking" was going on other than how obvious it was that the sound was hyper-perfect...everything was sent through auto-tune (which still can't save the occasional blown Stevie Nicks note)...not sure if this is autotune but I've noticed over the years that Nicks always sounds higher in concert than she does on recordings, as if her mic is pitched up. More than the half-step McVie's voice has dropped. Digital clarity is just so different than what music used to sound like.

One of my companions noted, as another did on this thread, that the bass was mixed a little high, but it was corrected quickly (or we all just got used to it shaking our guts, which is probably why it was mixed high to begin with/it was THE CHAIN so, you know, loud bass is good for that).

Buckingham was his usual self, but like others have noted, slightly detached. Didn't bother me much as he can be a little overwhelming. Still has to "tell, not show" by babbling too much. And his solos were reigned in this time.

Overall it was an excellent night and I hope everyone who goes has as much fun as everyone seemed to have on Thursday at the United Center. My one friend who's seen them in the 70s said that he was ecstatic to finally see them when they were awesome as his times in the 70s saw Nicks with a blown out voice, Buckingham passing out while playing, and generally bad sound. My other friend, who filled in last minute for someone else, was thrilled with the night and her review really put it out there simply,

"This would have been as impressive 30-40 years ago!"

[michelej1]

I concur that Little Lies was the hit of the night. One of my companions said that "they finally played McVie's songs like rock songs" and they all sounded great.


Thank you for the great review. You know what, I will have to pay close attention to Little Lies the next time I see them because I did not fully appreciate the reaction to it that everyone is describing.


BOTH MCVIES ARE TOO THIN, though!

I don't think John is. I think he was too fat before and carrying that extra weight was taxing. He looked bloated when I see the older pictures. Today, his face is gaunt, but you never lose weight where you want, it leaves your face before it leaves your tummy.

BUT, I agree with you about Christine. I think she is too thin. I mean, she's smaller than she was 30 years ago and she was never overweight. I appreciate that she's probably harder and toner than she was back then, but I'm not sure that she should weigh so much less.

We had been talking about Ted Kennedy and when I saw Christine in Minneapolis, I did think of Kara. Kara Kennedy was a chubby child and young woman and then after she battled cancer, she really slimmed down and she worked out so much. I think she did too much. I think she thought she was making her body strong, but she wasn't taking in enough calories to sustain the tremendous activity she engaged in to stay "fit."

Diet when you're off tour. Now that they're sweating 2 hours every night, I hope Christine is eating some pasta. Mangia, McVie!

Michele

[applebucked]

I think Chris was not as thin as she was during The Dance (THAT was scary) but still thinner than 30 years ago. I hope someone is supplying her with pasta and Chocolate Hobnobs. :lol:

Unless she weighs more now bc of the muscle. Check out her left bicep on this.
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site569/2014/0930/20140930__140930_fleetwood_mac_ChristineMcVie.jpg

[PenguinHead]

Let's not get using a keyboard to play specific sampled parts confused with using a backing track. I don't think they are using a full on backing track for anything. Are certain sound effects and little parts sampled and uploaded to a keyboard, I bet they are.


Thank you for clarifying that. Samples are different from backing tracks. I wouldn't want that misunderstanding perpetuated as fact.

[PenguinHead]

WOW!!!

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ub-F1szzO74?rel=0&amp;controls=0&amp;showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wow indeed! That was an epic performance. Stevie was in her element, demonstrating all the qualities to justify her "legendary" status.

[bethelblues]

That was incredible!! Worth the price of admission, I'd say. If only Sisters of the Moon was this intense...Stevie has it in her and the song/arrangement still needs it. Very interesting that Gold Dust Woman has become her standout song of the night, taking the place once held by Rhiannon and Sisters of the Moon.

[Danielle]

Thank you for the Gold Dust Woman clip. She's ridiculously good.

[kak125]

Thank you for posting gold dust woman this was so damn good! The video is so clear and the audio is just fantastic!!
Can I just say that stevie breaking it down around the 7:00 minute mark was just like the best thing I have seen in a while. She was doing some dirty dancing there. Good stuff!!

[michelej1]

Chicago Tribune October 3, 2014, 5:23 AM by Steve Johnson


Suddenly, Fleetwood Mac seems like it might be thinking about tomorrow again.

After touring since 1998 in various incomplete incarnations and with varying levels of comfort with each other, the onetime supergroup is now back to the full lineup of its late 1970s heyday, minus the bad habits and the romantic entanglements of that era.

And don’t think the crowd at United Center Thursday didn’t know and appreciate it. When prodigal keyboardist Christine McVie sang “sweet, wonderful you,” her first solo notes of the night, on “You Make Loving Fun,” exultant cheers came from the crowd.

McVie, with the help of a therapist, has conquered a fear of flying and given up a life in the English countryside to rejoin the band, making the second stop on its reunion tour in Chicago (where it plays again Friday).

Except for a quick reference to her long-ago marriage to bassist John McVie — part of this band’s charm is its complicated past, often mythologized in song -- she mostly left the talking to her bandmates. But with her songs back in the set and her calm, angular presence back on the stage, there was an undeniable feeling of rejuvenation.

“Making all of us complete,” drummer Mick Fleetwood said of McVie, “our songbird has returned.”

l Related MusicReview: Robert Plant looks ahead even when revisiting ZeppelinSee all relatedí

We’ve heard, in the tour buildup, that Fleetwood Mac is even writing and recording new material, news that holds no small promise considering how many enduring songs they’ve already made.

And now we’ve seen, in Chicago, that they’re playing like a group with an eye on the horizon, one that’s sharing the spotlight and taking every occasion to say kind things about one another. The show ended, not with a song, but with curious little speeches about unity and togetherness from Nicks and Fleetwood. (This is not recommended for groups with a lesser track record.)

So a tour showcasing new material may not be that far off. But what Mac delivered Thursday was 24 tunes from the heart of its catalog, classic rock live.

Christine McVie’s presence took some of the focus off of the Californians, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, whose 1974 addition to an existing British blues outfit kicked the band into the album-sales stratosphere, particularly with 1977’s “Rumours."

Fleetwood and John McVie, on bass, reminded concert goers why the band is named for them. They still put a layer of muscle behind everything the band did, even the unapologetic soft rock of Christine’s “Little Lies.” Fleetwood pounded and then barked his way through a four-minute drum solo in “World Turning."

But this band is about its songwriters. Christine McVie was almost regal, taking in more than she gave out, letting her silky love songs speak for her.

She is like a cat in the dark and then she is the darkness she rules her life like a fine skylark and when the sky is starless All your life you've never seen woman taken by the wind

Al Kohollick

Buckingham, though, snarled his lyrics, jumped with the high notes on his guitar solos and generally belied what people might think they know about him from “Saturday Night Live’s” running parody. He may look like Art Garfunkel’s younger brother stuffed into skinny jeans, but this man is a vital musical presence, the soul of the band.

Ditto for the vitality of Nicks, its cauldron-stirring spirit. She didn’t twirl as fast or as often as she used to; a few spins, executed gingerly, were enough to draw fervent applause. The tempo on “Rhiannon,” one of her signature tunes, doesn’t blister as it once did.

But her voice quickly warmed up to put power and depth, if not range, behind her trademark rasp. Her showcase songs, “Landslide,” “Gold Dust Woman” and, especially, “Silver Springs,” were the night’s highlights.

As for stagecraft, give credit to Fleetwood Mac for keeping the microphones pointed in the right direction. The crowd was happily singing along most of the night, but never — never! — as lead vocalists. That is a rare thing in 2014, especially from a band who wouldn’t need to show any of the words on screen.

Less praiseworthy was the video screen behind the stage. It started promisingly, with just color, light, some nature scenes. But the video got more and more aggressive until on one tune it showed us footage of eyes, noses and facial pores. Somebody must have dragged that director away from the controls, because the final bits backed off, simply showing the band.

A couple of musicians backed the core group on guitar and keyboards, but Buckingham was ferocious and tireless as lead guitarist. (His “Big Love” beatdown of an acoustic guitar recalled Richard Thompson.) There were two backup singers, too, also in shadow, ready to fill in on the high notes, but, really, the trio of Buckingham-Nicks-C. McVie had nothing to apologize for as lead vocalists.

That trio is now hovering around 70 years of age. But even as young pups they were writing songs that contemplated the march of time. Now, with McVie’s unexpected return and the potential for new material, those lyrics about yesterday being gone and time making you bolder seemed to hold a special resonance.


“Our dream girl is back,” Stevie Nicks would say later, just after McVie had sat at a grand piano and delivered her simple, soulful “Songbird” to end the almost 2-1/2-hour show.

[jwd]

^^ Got a kick out of the writer when he said Lindsey looked like Art Garfunkel's younger brother stuffed into skinny jeans. :lol: That has to be a first.

[michelej1]

How do you get a guitar pick at a concert? Here’s how I did it

September 8, 2015 Aaron Hanania, Illinois News Network

http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2015/09/08/how-do-you-get-a-guitar-pick-at-a-concert-heres-how-i-did-it/

Here’s my experience of how to easily get a guitar pick at a concert. I did it without fighting someone, jumping onto the stage, or having a backstage pass.

On October 2nd,2014 I went to a Fleetwood Mac concert in Chicago at the United Center. We got there a good hour and a half early. So early that they had not opened the doors yet. When we got in, we of course bought a few souvenirs.

The souvenir I later got for free was the best one that they would never sell. When we were sitting waiting, I was thinking back to getting a guitar pick or drum stick, like the few lucky people who get the rarest pick.

I stood down there and watched the pre-concert preparations for a good 20 minutes. There was a security guy standing about ten feet in front of me. The curious me decided to ask him a question I was sure I knew the answer to.

My problem was we were not even facing the stage but on the far right side of it. So I thought that I could not get anything. That was until I wanted to stand down by the stage where the bass player went off the stage and changed guitars. and watch the guy with the really long hair tune the guitars.

I also wanted to look at the band members little portable desk with pictures of their family.

I said, “Excuse me sir.” The man replied, “yes.”

I then asked, “Is there any way I can get a guitar pick from one of the people in the band?”

Remember this was before I really knew Fleetwood Mac, so I did not know who was who. The guy told me,” one second.”

He then turned to the man tuning the guitars and I think he said something like, “That kid over there is asking for a guitar pick.”

The only way I can assume that is because the security guard turned and pointed toward me. The tuner reached into his pocket and gave the security man a guitar pick. It was the bass guitarist, John McVie’s bass pick.

I never thought that it was that easy to get a pick. I never tried before either.

All you need to do this is to be a kid or have a kid with you, because they probably wouldn’t do it for an adult. A “cute” kid on the other hand is likely. Next time you go to a concert with a kid you can try this technique and see what happens. I wish you best of luck when you try.

The worst thing that could happen is that you might not get one. But having a young kid ask increases the chances that you may walk away with a very valuable item.

This proves that not only people with good seats, expensive backstage passes and large baskets to catch a pick, can get one but anyone who thinks creatively can.