Thanks to all for you comments on the pictures! I was so happy with them that I wanted to share this with others - happy you've enjoyed and wish all of you a fantastic weekend, even if last Friday was the greatest

ANOTHER REVIEW FROM WEMBLEY - not sure if its already been posted, but I liked it anyway.

http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php...much&Itemid=30

Here's another link to the show last weekend - I am counting down the hours now 4 hours and I'll be there - oooo so excited!!!:blob2:

Thank you for posting. It is a good one.

http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php...much&Itemid=30

The Arts Desk, 11-6-09

Published in Reviews , Written by Joe Muggs 10-31-09

The first signs were good. I've been to a lot of shows by “heritage bands” in my time, but I don't think I've ever seen a crowd for a band of Fleetwood Mac's vintage that had such a relatively even age distribution. Sure, it was weighted towards the greying end of the scale, but every age group down to teens – including teens there in groups under their own steam, not just with parents – was well represented, right across class boundaries too. But then Fleetwood Mac have always been a lot of things to a lot of people. From the bluesy sixties underground Peter Green era, through the spectacular seventies pinnacles of rock-Babylon mega-success following Green's decline and departure and the arrival of sparkly-eyed Californians Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, to the shiny pure pop of their late-eighties Tango in the Night creative swansong, they covered an awful lot of ground (all documented in the recent BBC documentary Don't Stop). Everyone was hoping their setlist might suit their own tastes – in my case the Tango In The Night songs of my schooldays.

Sadly they did not play this.

On stage, the band managed the extraordinarily impressive feat for such a repeatedly split-and-reformed act of actually looking like a band. Other than the lack of Christine McVie, who has seemingly permanently retired from live performance, this was the classic seventies/eighties lineup of Nicks and Buckingham out front and the founder-members' British rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (the original “Fleetwood” and “Mac”) on drums and bass behind them – plus backing vocalists and two session musician multi-instrumentalists in the wings.

Fleetwood and McVie looked rather like a multimillionaire Chas & Dave with their matching flat caps, waistcoats and beards, while Buckingham had the air of an over-dressed pervy music teacher and Nicks of a wonderfully batty goth aunt, complete with one black glove, tinsel hanging from her sleeves and a mic stand draped with witchy decorations. But somehow, among the arena lightshow and moving set decorations, despite all the history, they still looked like their relationship was musical.

And it is. From the swagger of “The Chain” (from the quintillion-selling Rumours) onward it was clear this is more than just some ageing drug casualties propped up by technology and extra staff. The 12-string guitar jangle of Tusk's “I Know I'm Not Wrong” showed how much Fleetwood Mac's work prefigured the whole of eighties alternative rock as well as the mainstream – making them the missing link between The Byrds and The Cult. “Second Hand News” was a mighty country-rock stomp, showing precisely how much the band were always connected to heartland America. And “Rhiannon” and “Sara” showed how much Nicks's voice was born to age gracefully, it's catches and cracks only made more affecting by age's emphasis.

Nicks, in fact, despite what could in a lesser performer have been annoyingly kooky affectations, held the whole first half of the show together. Where Buckingham's between-songs addresses to the audience seemed horrendously worthy, full of Californian therapy talk about “shared appreciation” and “how important it is to just have fun”, her chat was insouciant, sincere, ditzy, and her memories of late-60s San Fransisco before they played “Gypsy” entirely absorbing. If it hadn't been for her the first half of the set could have felt like the best dads-down-the-pub-on-a-Sunday-blues band in the world.

Buckingham had his moment, though. Just as we began to find his therapy-speak self-indulgence too much, he played solo the most astonishing acoustic version of Tango in the Night's “Big Love” and we were won over entirely. He is the kind of performer who will never, ever be cool like Nicks – despite having reached the pinnacle of everything that should be groovy, he will always be trying that bit too hard – but his musicianship was able to overcome that.

And it was his musical direction that dominated Fleetwood Mac's golden age, and thus this set, bringing in a fantastic diversity of influences to the show. The baroque counterpoint of his solo acoustic guitar tracks, the Appalachian gospel harmonies of an absolutely stunning “Storms”, the way he made the riffs in the verses of “Gold Dust Woman” sound like The Stooges, and most crucially to the Fleetwood Mac we all know and love, his sparklingly rich arrangements – all showed a truly brilliant musical intelligence still at work. It's just a shame he didn't seem able to realise that people appreciated him for his music rather than for his attempts to be cool: his stagecraft, constantly reaching out to the crowd for the affirmation of their hungry touch and frotting his guitar in a creepily quasi-sexual way, was as desperately needy as Nicks's was coolly inviting.

No matter though: Nicks and Buckingham were both brilliant, their faults only emphasising the other's strengths. It's just a shame about their rhythm section. If it weren't for the obvious bolstering sense of band history from having the four of them on stage together that stimulated Nicks and Buckingham to perform so well, Fleetwood and McVie's musical contribution would have been nothing that hired hands couldn't have provided. Whether being dragged up front to play on a tiny drumkit – like a 6'9” bear on a tricycle – or playing a grand finale drum solo of staggering tedium, Fleetwood was like a session drummer with bolted-on overprivileged annoying-old-hippie mannerisms, and McVie was just an absence. They reminded us that while the band may have many things, including melodic and harmonic skills to match anyone in pop, the one thing they never had in abundance was groove.

Fleetwood's hideous, grunting, would-be-shamanic solo (so invasive and overlong that my wife stormed out into the lobby, snapping “text me when they play a song"), the massive cluster of self-congratulation that ended the main set, and the dreary stomp of “Don't Stop” (a song so blandly motivational Bill Clinton used it in his 1992 campaign) in the encore could have ruined the whole show. So could the lack of any Tango in the Night songs other than “Big Love” (presumably because so many of them were written or co-written by the absent Christine McVie). So it's a measure of precisely how powerful Fleetwood Mac are as a collective entity – as a band - that they managed to leave us remembering stunning moments from a set full of great grown up musical thrills rather than those clunky and immature rockstar indulgences.

I generally don't pay much attention to reviews but I feel this one summed up Fleetwood Mac fairly well, with this exception of his harsh and undeserved criticism of Mick and John. Sorry, but I don't think "hired hands" could sound anywhere near as good as John and Mick, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. The reviewer did seem to have a very deep insight into Lindsey. I could never quite put my finger on what mildly irritates me about Lindsey's performances but this guy finally uncovered it: he's trying to hard when he doesn't need to. And as the reviewer stated, he will never be as cool as Stevie. Perhaps this still remains an issue for Lindsey to contend with.

Has John always had so much fun/been so funky on Stand Back?

And Pip - did you have to listen to that man near you sing along the whole show?

I wonder if Stevie's ever chipped a tooth while swinging here head away from the mic then back again.... she gets here mouth awfully close to the mic in places.

There's an Irish guy on stage somewhere? :shrug:

I have...once during a soundcheck for NOTS...I didn't chip a tooth, but I it felt like it.

It's just finished. Christine was in the audience. Stevie dedicated Landslide to her. Lindsey was wearing his red top, and silver springs was played.

I just got back from the concert and am uploading pictures.

When Lindsey first addressed the crowd he said he wanted to say hello to all of their friends in the audience, especially Christine. He said, "We love you."

When Stevie dedicated Landslide she said that she wanted it to be joyous not sad. And even though she was feeling joyous she wanted Christine to know that she misses her every day. She misses how funny she is and how brilliant it feels to be in her presence.

I thought Mick would mention Chris but he didn't. He said he had the flu and that all of them were staying away from him and he felt devastated by the exclusion. He was speaking at Lindsey's mic and had to pull it up to talk. He was befuddled: "Lindsey can't be this short!"

Michele

Awe... That's great... Glad she made a show and they recognized her....

Michele, you get around! LOL

Stevie ended the show by saying that they went "balls to the walls" and that it was a great rock and roll. I would have to agree with her assessment.

As they took the stage, I noticed that Lindsey was in his red shirt again. So, I didn't get to witness that Watchdevil blue of his in person.

How did that guy manage to tell Christine they loved her without adding, "but you burned your bridges?"

After Lindsey acknowledged Christine's presence, of course I couldn't help woindering where she might be sitting. I tried to see of they fixed their gaze at any particular part of the audience -- assuming they even knew where she was sitting.

I got the feeling she was out towards the center somewhere, but some people around me thought she was sitting to the side on Stevie's side of the stage. They kept pointing an enthusiastic woman out. She wore part of her hair flipped to the side with a red/blue ribbon about it. It reminds me of a style Chris wore in her younger days. I didn't think this woman was her, but it would be lovely if it was, because that lady was really enjoying the show. She was animated, but then so were Lindsey and Stevie.

After saying "We love you" to Christine, Lindsey launched into his forward moving speech and the bit about not having a new album out "yet." John and Stevie always express their silent disagreement during this little moment.

When Stevie introduces Gypsy she says that because they opened for Hendrix to a crowd of 75,000 and Joplin with a crowd of 30,000, when they joined Fleetwood Mac, they did so with just a little bit of confidence. She said that after not seeing Lindsey for 2 years, the drummer in Fritz called her because Lindsey does not like to make phone calls. She said this song harks back to their little house, to their bedroom "and to the Gypsy that he and I love." So, Lindsey is loving the gypsy too? Well, I did kind of get that impression from Donovan's song, but nice to have her concur.

She says that when she and Lindsey opened for others, they were number 8 on the list, but the benefit of being last is that they got to watch everyone else and to learn from them.

Lindsey started off the show biting his nails, as if he had a catch or hang nail on one of his fingers. He turned that into high comedy by filing his nails before Big Love started. When the audience laughed, he stretched out a hand, asking them to wait just a moment, while he finished.

Stevie dedicated Landslide to Christine by saying it was a joyous moment, not a sad one. But I did sense a sadness in her eyes anyway. At the end when they took their bow, Lindsey walked away quickly while she was still facing him. When he got his guitar and started the next song, the opening notes were unfamiliar to me and I wondered if they had added a surprise song to the setlist. Maybe for Christine? Silly me. The song was just NGBA, with a slow, cautious intro. Lindsey actually played that beginning like he wasn't sure what he was doing. But then he broke out into the familiar tune and everyone responded.

I cannot tell you how rousing and intimate their interaction on both Sara and Storms is now. When they turn their mics towards each other and lock eyes, it might not be real romance, but it is two bandmates saying, "let's give this all the emotion we have, for the crowd." It's a couple, acting in tandem to not only harmonize, but to create a feeling, a mood. And I've got to tell you, it works. So maybe the hug is staged, but even the way they commit to the singing is moving all by itself.

Someone here already brought us pictures of Lindsey and John doing a little jamming together, but it happened a lot, during 3 or 4 songs. That's something I hadn't noticed during the American leg. In those shows, John always did smile at Lindsey and point after "Oh Well" and he did the same this time. Lindsey also pointed back at John and Mick.

I was a little nervous about SYLM because of Christine, but they did it well and with intense smiles. They just looked very happy. The song rocked and I even heard a group of people singing it on the way back to Wembley Station. Chris should give them a gold star.

When Mick introduced the band, he said that Stevie had to put up with the three of them and that she was outnumbered, but a trooper. He introduced her as Stephanie Nicks and then said "Stevie" too. Thank goodness: that eliminated certain confusion.

Before the first encore, I saw Lindsey and Stevie standing together. He was already holding her hand and she was whispering something in his ear, before they started to walk out to the stage. When they got to the center, Lindsey took her gloved hand and pretended to wipe the sweat off of his shirt with it. She gave a look of mock consternation and rung her hand, as if to rid it of fake perspiration. It was pretty cute.

When they all took their bow, they were standing in a line as always, but then Mick stood apart from them and came around and bowed towards them, instead of with them. I didn't understand it then, but he later explained they didn't want to be near him because he had the flu.

Lindsey thanked the audience for being at the last show of their tour. Um, someone needs to tell them they have a few dates scheduled in December.

Lindsey left the stage. Stevie came to the mic gleefully and said they had gone "balls to the walls." She stayed behind to here Mick and she covered her nose with her paws again. Very playful.

Very bouyant. A beautiful show. Well worth the trip, despite the rain and the cold and the snotty All Access guy.

I would go anywhere, anywhere. Ask me and I'm there.

Michele

Here are some pictures.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609047.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609048.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609054.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609057.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609062.jpg

The Sara goods.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609040.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609041.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609042.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609043.jpg

The last ones.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609045.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609002.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609006.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609007.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609017.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609025.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...y110609034.jpg

Michele I didn't realise you were going to this show. Where were you standing? From the angle of the photos it looks like you were pretty close to me.

I thought the show was absolutely incredible, maybe because it's the last of the European concerts. Stevie's Landslide dedication to Christine was very touching. She said something like "I miss you every single day and how funny you are and how brilliant it is to be in your presence." Something like that anyway. Shame they couldn't entice her though to join them on stage.

Sharon, I was at the stage on Stevie's side. Yes, what she said about Christine was very sweet. I didn't want her to perform. I just wanted to see her:distress:. I thought it was a great show too and they seemed so happy.

Michele

The pictures and the summary...absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much Michele :)

I'm not even going to pick out and comment on my favorite parts...because the whole night sounded so amazing...especially the Stevie and Lindsey stuff, of course. Just reading it made me go all shipper squee. If I'd been there I would have cried all the way through the show

Thanks for all of the details and pics! I'm glad that you had a wonderful time--sorry that you had to deal with a snotty all access guy...

A FM concert tweet reported a possible Jimmy Page sighting. I wonder who else was there?

http://www.60smusictweets.com/?what=Fleetwood+Mac

That's where I was too! Did you get to strum Lindsey's guitar? I get a thrill out of that every time.
I would have liked to have seen Christine too. Stevie did keep looking over to her right, so I wonder if she was seated there? Or else she was backstage the entire time drinking wine!

I can't resist the ship and must say that Lindsey kissed Stevie's head 3 different times. He kissed her twice when they all took their first bow as a group and then when they pulled apart at the end, to say their goodbyes to the audience, he cupped her head in his hand and kissed her again, as if this really was the end of the tour and he might not be seeing her for awhile. Guys, remember Australia and New Zealand?

When Stevie started her intro to Storms, she said that they started rehearsals on January 5 and did 53 shows in America and I think she said she thought they did 16 in Europe. When she discussed wanting to do Storms for the first time, it made me wish that Lindsey would dust off one that he's never done before too. He just got off a solo tour with new songs, but I still wish he'd take an old one that's been overlooked (i.e. TITN) and give it to us.

Speaking of the Tango album, he started groaning during Oh Well in a way that reminded me of his Big Love grunts. The longer the tour continues, the more primal it gets.

Michele

I didn't touch Lindsey's guitar. I've never done that. Yes, I did see Stevie looking to her right, but I wondered if maybe she was just giving that side of the audience attention and maybe I just imagined it might be Christine, but when Stevie looked, people on the floor started looking over too.

Michele

Oh, and as the crowd dispersed, someone (maybe a radio station) was playing Need Your Love So Bad over loud speakers. That was a nice touch.

Michele

Michele,

What amazing pictures and a fabulous summary, especially all the SNL detail. I've been thinking to myself for weeks that they have really seem to connect a lot more on this leg of the tour. 6 (well 3) weeks in a foreign country I guess.

I really hope the momentum keeps going and that the leg next month has the same vibe.

So glad you got to experience a wonderful show, even if you didn't get to see the blue shirt.

Safe travels back home.

I guess it's hard to know. Would there be a VIP area at the side? (or at the back maybe?) Because otherwise I imagine someone would have seen her there. Especially in the UK, because here Christine's songs were always bigger hits than Stevie's.
Your photos are great btw.

I could see into the side where Cory and the crew were and I kept looking for Christine. Like you said, she may have been backstage drinking wine and watching a monitor:laugh:.

I didn't use a flash, but for some reason my pictures came out too bright and they suffered and got blurry from the zoom, but in the end we all have great pictures from every single song, thanks to the ones other people have posted since the very first night.

Michele

Even if we hear later that every single day was torture, we won't believe it! Aside from Mick, the others aren't good enough actors to hide their true feelings that well.

Michele

Thank you Michele for your fantastic review and you beautiful pictures! You must be wide awake still. What is it, like three o'clock in the morning there? How long are you gonna stay in London? Any sightseeing involved?
I loved that photo you posted of Stevie all in red with the red platform boots on.

Yeah, it will be interesting to hear any new press that comes out. I'm sure most of the Australia/NZ coverage will be the same stuff we just read/heard/saw for the past 3 weeks, but maybe we'll get a few more new interviews. Nonetheless, i'll be trolling for any sort of quote that i can read into. :)

I leave tomorrow or should I say today. I have no sightseeing plans, other than what's within walking distance. I was thinking what if Michael Jackson was alive? I'd have probably go and see one of his London shows, if the dates fit.

I'd also love to see a play, but I don't want to miss any more work. I couldn't go all the way out to Perth or anything next month, so I wanted to see them here, as the last time in 2009. I guess I was hoping for a little something from Chris. Don't say anything, just squeeze a little accordion! But I suppose 95% of me must have known that would not happen.

Michele

Merry Early Christmas to me... :thumbsup:


THANK YOU MICHELE!!!!

Love reading your review, as always.

Awesome review Michele (as always). This show sounded like a very special one. In fact, I think all these European shows have brought something out in this band because, as brilliant and amazing as they were in the states, it just seems like they're so much more relaxed, humorous,energized, from all I have read. Must be their European heritage coming out or something. Anyway, thank you. And the pictures are incredible. Wow to the Sara embrace.

I had no idea that you were flying over for a London show! That's awesome Michele. I'm so jealous. Love the pictures and summary. Thank you thank you!

Just love all the hugs and kisses photos...thanks for the great review..so glad you got to go there!..I so wish I had had that opportunity....So glad for the band too that they all seemed so happy to have played there and had been in Christine's presence!

well come on ppl please!!!!! Let's hear the bootlegs please! I love you all!

-Marty

LOL! I think it was DavidMN! Or tommer!

I know I did sing some, but I had no idea any voice could be heard over the speakers that close to the front.:laugh:

I didn't know you would be there either!

Jimmy Page was there and also Ritchie Sambora

I was told Christine would be sitting to Stevie's right in the tiered section