US Festival 1982: The 'Us' Generation

[SisterNightroad]

Today I've finally downloaded the prerelease the infamous Us festival documentary and started watching it; for now I've received only the actual film but I'll have, along with the other backers, the extra material (as in the full performances) in one or two weeks.

I'll give a more detailed review after having watched properly the entire documentary, but I've browsed through the whole film and I've seen that a few songs performances from the biggest bands are featured at various points, e.g. Bye Bye Love of The Cars, Refugee by Tom Petty, and (rightfully) The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

After seeing the full song I can anticipate that, compared to the leaked video we've seen months ago:
1) There is no comparison in terms of sound quality, the work done on the audio has brought out a new fullness from both voices and instruments
2) the clearness of the video has increased also a lot, the details and the colors are much sharper and more vivid
3) There's small video editing done here and there (more close ups on the crowd and the technological innovations like the big screens) that gives a slightly more professional look

[ricohv]

Yay! So glad this is finally happening-looking forward to your full review Sister Nightroad!

[Wdm6789]

Today I've finally downloaded the prerelease the infamous Us festival documentary and started watching it; for now I've received only the actual film but I'll have, along with the other backers, the extra material (as in the full performances) in one or two weeks.

I'll give a more detailed review after having watched properly the entire documentary, but I've browsed through the whole film and I've seen that a few songs performances from the biggest bands are featured at various points, e.g. Bye Bye Love of The Cars, Refugee by Tom Petty, and (rightfully) The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

After seeing the full song I can anticipate that, compared to the leaked video we've seen months ago:
1) There is no comparison in terms of sound quality, the work done on the audio has brought out a new fullness from both voices and instruments
2) the clearness of the video has increased also a lot, the details and the colors are much sharper and more vivid
3) There's small video editing done here and there (more close ups on the crowd and the technological innovations like the big screens) that gives a slightly more professional look


Did they happen to edit John’s botched bass solo in The Chain video?

[SisterNightroad]

Did they happen to edit John’s botched bass solo in The Chain video?
No, the editing concern only the visual appearance, for example at some point in the beginning the camera, instead of keeping the perspective from the right of the stage like in the leaked video, it changes for a few seconds to the point of view of the big screens with the "Us Festival logo", and at another point the camera stays a few second longer on Christine.

[jbrownsjr]

I'm so glad the audio is mixed... in did not sound mixed in the footage we saw on youtube or Vevo... wherever we saw it..

[Wdm6789]

Today I've finally downloaded the prerelease the infamous Us festival documentary and started watching it; for now I've received only the actual film but I'll have, along with the other backers, the extra material (as in the full performances) in one or two weeks.

I'll give a more detailed review after having watched properly the entire documentary, but I've browsed through the whole film and I've seen that a few songs performances from the biggest bands are featured at various points, e.g. Bye Bye Love of The Cars, Refugee by Tom Petty, and (rightfully) The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

After seeing the full song I can anticipate that, compared to the leaked video we've seen months ago:
1) There is no comparison in terms of sound quality, the work done on the audio has brought out a new fullness from both voices and instruments
2) the clearness of the video has increased also a lot, the details and the colors are much sharper and more vivid
3) There's small video editing done here and there (more close ups on the crowd and the technological innovations like the big screens) that gives a slightly more professional look


So the only Fleetwood Mac performance in the documentary is The Chain?

[iamnotafraid]

Just watched this on AXS TV and it took all I had to
watch the two hour program. I usually like these type
of programs. But this one was insufferably boring!

Too many interviews, not enough music. Hopefully the
full concerts will be released. Until then, save for the final
fifteen minutes when the Mac appears, save your time.
You'll thank me for it.

And for John's performance - was he drunk? That was
embarrassing. I hope he thanked Lindsey after the show
for saving his derriere.

[Wdm6789]

While it’s awesome to see the Fleetwood Mac videos from the US Festival, finally. I’d be more interested in seeing all the performances that were cut from the HBO thing. Fleetwood Mac was on their A game those nights. They seem a little rough around the edges at the US Festival.

[sleepless child]

I just watched the documentary on Axis also. I too fast forwarded thru a lot of it. I really enjoyed the performances. Especially the Tom Petty segment. Very bittersweet especially the comments made about him. And of course the Mac, who were at the end. I wondered what was going on with the John bass solo. It was a little weird, but I think the casual fan wouldn't notice.

[iamnotafraid]

I just watched the documentary on Axis also. I too fast forwarded thru a lot of it.

I wondered what was going on with the John bass solo. It was a little weird, but I think the casual fan wouldn't notice.

I watched it live so I didn't have the luxury of
fast forwarding through it.

With John's bass line being one of the best known
ever, I think most people would notice. And if one
takes a serious listen I hope they hear how Lindsey
came to the rescue.

I anxiously await Sisternightroad's review. As
she's kept this topic alive and us up to date with the
progress of this project.

[sleepless child]

Well after watching the performance a second time, I think John's solo is accurate. I think it's Lindsey that doesn't come in at the right time and it stumps Mick, who stops for a second and then starts playing again.

[fleetwoodguy79]

Well after watching the performance a second time, I think John's solo is accurate. I think it's Lindsey that doesn't come in at the right time and it stumps Mick, who stops for a second and then starts playing again.

Just getting caught up on this documentary...

Where can you find the performances, are they releasing them as part of the funded kickstarter?

It's definitely John who doesn't come in on the right time on The Chain. He's coming in on the 2 or 3 beat instead of 1. It throws Lindsey and Mick off. Mick then slows it quiets it down to get his attention and put him back on the beat. You can hear him do that with the "DA DA. DA DA." beats which finally puts John back in sync, then Lindsey joins in to make sure they're fully locked in. What an awesome band, I'm sad that I wasn't alive then to see them...

Personally, I think little flubs like that make the band interesting!

[Macfan4life]

Just getting caught up on this documentary...

Where can you find the performances, are they releasing them as part of the funded kickstarter?

It's definitely John who doesn't come in on the right time on The Chain. He's coming in on the 2 or 3 beat instead of 1. It throws Lindsey and Mick off. Mick then slows it quiets it down to get his attention and put him back on the beat. You can hear him do that with the "DA DA. DA DA." beats which finally puts John back in sync, then Lindsey joins in to make sure they're fully locked in. What an awesome band, I'm sad that I wasn't alive then to see them...

Personally, I think little flubs like that make the band interesting!
This is what rock n roll is supposed to be. Today a big mistake during a concert would be the computer generated keyboards wont shut up or the karaoke machine gets stuck :eek:

I have often said the live shows in 1982 were the last for the Mac. No background singers, no added percussionists, etc. Today you don't get the raw live arena rock sound you did back then. That is why I am so happy the Mac did their 1980 live album.

[fleetwoodguy79]

This is what rock n roll is supposed to be. Today a big mistake during a concert would be the computer generated keyboards wont shut up or the karaoke machine gets stuck :eek:

I have often said the live shows in 1982 were the last for the Mac. No background singers, no added percussionists, etc. Today you don't get the raw live arena rock sound you did back then. That is why I am so happy the Mac did their 1980 live album.

Let's get a beer. :) I feel the same way.

We use a lot of technology for our live show (soft synths and small backing tracks are almost a necessity) but at our core, you have to have something ballsy, compelling, and rock. I miss that Mac, too.

[secondhandchain]

Never saw these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV_dnrxD6v4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOZ0at0ZKU4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KkZK1pZLgc