Open Letter to Stevie
 

An Open Letter To Stevie Nicks:

Dear Stevie,
I'm writing on behalf of the fans. I don't know what you might have in mind for your upcoming shows this summer, but let me offer a suggestion. You have said that you loved touring with Tom Petty a couple years back because it allowed you to do something different. You've said that you loved doing "Beautiful Child" and "Storms" on the last two Fleetwood Mac tours because it let you do something new (most would agree those were highlights of the shows). Same with when you did "Crash" on your last solo tour. Stevie, you can do any song you want at your shows. I know you feel that you have to do the hits because otherwise people will walk out upset because they didn't hear that one song they wanted to hear. That just gives them a reason to go see you next time around. Most of your fans going your shows have seen you many times already, this August will my 12th time (9th tour) seeing you since 1986. We love anything you do, but feel free to throw in those rare songs you haven't done in awhile or at all on stage. Back in 1998 you said you were unsure about your set for the "Enchanted" tour, Stevie that was one of your best sets because you did songs that we love but have rarely been performed live.
Like I said I don't know what you have planned for these shows, but let your imagination run wild. Don't worry about dropping songs like "Gold Dust Woman" or "Landslide" or even "Dreams" or whatever. We the fans would totally understand if in their places we got "Angel" or "Leather & Lace" or "Nothing Ever Changes" or "Kind Of Woman" etc. My point is you don't have to do what you think we want to hear, do want you would like to sing. We're there to see you, we'll go wherever you lead us.

can i get an AMEN?!?!?!?! Couldn't have said it better myself!:D:blob1::nod:

AMEN!!! :thumbsup:
hopefully she comes to dc (pweeeeease?)

I say we all mail copies of it to her!!

Yeah, my letter would read somewhat differently ;). Mainly:

Stevie, please stop doing covers and focus on some of your own gems that haven't seen the light of day in decades/ever. We'd love to hear Sisters or Straight Back. No Spoken Word, even. Perhaps new songs that you've written in the past 10 years. Thanks!

Allelujah and Amen to that.

Unfortunately, I don't think her upcoming shows will really give us anything new. If you were to ask a casual fan to name 5 Stevie songs, your likely to get Eo17, GDW, Dreams, Rhiannon etc as an answer. Her set lists are designed to appeal to the bulk of the people at a given show, the casual fans, who go, "oh look honey, Stevie Nicks is coming to town, we should go see her", not her die-hards. At a 5000 seat venue, its most likely that 4000 of those people only know her most popular songs. Another 500 may have all her albums but only recall the hits, that leaves 500 devoted fans who would know and appreciate the rare songs. Even when she has a new album to promote, new songs in the set list are the exception to the rule. Think back to the TISL tour, by midway through the tour, she had dropped several of the songs from the new album because the audience response to them was indifference. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a set list of mostly new/different material and NO COVERS, but it's highly unlikely that will happen.

You Like



...wherezat thumsup

I'm staying optimistic! Come on, Stevie, let's hear something like Think About It! I love the Outside the Rain / Dreams opener from Red Rocks, then go right into a new setlist! :angel:

See my whole point is that Stevie got it into her head back in 1976 that she could ONLY do songs the crowd already knew. This was because Fleetwood Mac toured at the very end of '76 and did songs from the then unreleased album "Rumours". The crowds didn't know the songs and just kind of sat there. Stevie then said "that's when we realized you can't throw new things at people because they will hate it until the album has been out awhile and they know the songs." What Stevie failed to realize is that in 1976 there were Mac fans who were still wanting to hear "Oh Well" and "Hypnotized" and all the other Peter Green or Bob Welch era stuff, they weren't ready to accept this skinny blonde chick up there. But Stevie (and Fleetwood Mac) have stuck with that thought process ever since.
People like Billy Joel and Elton John have been touring for years and have nothing new, but yet they change the set list each tour, hell they change them slightly each SHOW! Stevie will tour and then say how much fun she has doing new things, but she won't change her own set. Stevie's not being played on the radio anymore, so anyone who goes is already aware of her songs. She can still do the hits, but throw in maybe four never done live before songs!!!

Exactly, and that's why we'll never see a radically different set list for a Stevie tour. She doesn't do a super-long set so it's not like she's got 3 hours to pull out new material. She's got what-60 to 90 minutes on stage? Minus the time to cover the big hits--how much does that leave exactly? 1-2 songs. And that's what she's been doing recently on tours, Crash into Me, Circle Dance are examples. We have to remember that the die-hard fans only make up a very small percentage of her audience and she's got to cater to the majority, not we in the minority and the majority doesn't want to sit there as she revives a song we heard on a demo in 1979 that was never released. Also, figure that her limited vocal range these days precludes her from doing some songs entirely, which also places limitations on the song list. Given all of that, we're probably lucky to ever hear anything new/different on her tours.

Evryone keeps saying that the die-hards are not the majority. Where is Stevie pulling in all these new fans from? She hasn't had a top 40 hit in 20 years, she hasn't had a top 10 album in 9 years. How do people who are just getting into her know who she is? My guess is they have heard a song or two on a classic rock station and then went out and bought (or most likely downloaded) the album. Touring works two ways, one you get people to go see you because they like what they heard on the radio (which in Stevie's case in only on classic rock stations), then once they are at the show you give them the hits, but you throw in some album cuts because then these people who only know the hits will say "hey, I like that song, which album is it on?"
The last time Stevie switched up her set was in 1998 and she was SO nervous about it. But I didn't hear anyone complaining because they had to sit thru "Sleeping Angel" or "Rose Garden" or "After The Glitter Fades" to get to "Stand Back" or "Rhiannon".
I do not believe that the die hards are the minority. I believe the opposite is true. Someone who only knows a handful of her songs will not shell out upwards of $130 to go see her. This isn't the 1980's anymore when you could spend $25 to see her and if you didn't like it no big deal. Or as a classmate said after leaving the "Rock A Little" show early to beat the traffic, "What did she do as an encore, tell me she didn't do 'Sara' again!!" Was then told "No, it was 'Has Anyone Ever Written...' from the new album." Response, "Oh no big deal".
The die hards ARE what is making up her core audience and album sales these days, this is true of all major classic rock acts.

Agreed :D At this point she has nothing left to prove to the world. Those that know her and love her, do. Those that don't, probably won't. I think that the people who aren't die hard fans that go and see her do expect to hear the hits, but are mostly there because it is Stevie Nicks. For the persona, image, voice, etc. Her vocals may not be impeccable these days, but I don't think there are very many songs that she couldn't pull off either.

I stand by my comments. I have been to many of her shows and when I look around I see a crowd made up of people in their 30's and older. People younger than that generally dont know much about her or her music, and some have no clue who she is at all. The people that go to her shows know who she is, but they know the popular songs. Take a look at the way they all sit back down when a new song or album track does get playes. Those are the points in the show when the concession stands and bathrooms have lines. Its only when Stand Back or Rhiannon begins that the bulk of the audience truly comes alive. If all the people at her shows were diehards, or even if they made up the majority, then she would still have been having hit records and singles over the last 20 years. I also dont think the comparison to Elton or Billy Joel is fair. They have both had far more hit songs than Stevie that the casual fan would know. I love Stevie and her music and I want more than anything to not see the same show again, but I also know that when I take along my group of friends they are there to hear the well known hits. I have to believe that Stevie, like most artists, is well aware of that fact.

That happens at the Mac shows too, only it's usually when Lindsey is doing his songs. Stevie's average age group is 35 and up and they sit a lot regardless of what song is being played. People go to the bathrooms during the non hits at nearly every show (not just Stevie) that I've gone to.
But again I go back to the "Enchanted" shows, on that tour she did "Rose Garden", "Sleeping Angel", "Garbo"!!!!, "After The Glitter Fades" and "Gold and Braid" and she said she knew that no one would know these songs, but hopefully they would like them. She was shocked to see the crowd singing along to "Gold And Braid" she even said "I didn't think you'd know that one!!". My point is she totally underestimates her audience.
She's not picking up new fans without an album or song on the radio and if she keeps doing the same show over and over then she's going to lose those who have been going for years. Why pay the high ticket price to see something you've already seen a bunch of times?

I agree Enchanted was a fantastic tour, and the set list was wonderful, as it included Rose Garden, Glitter, Sleeping Angel, garbo, Twisted and Gold & Braid. But you also have to make note that it was a longer set list than her usual 14 or 15 songs and she didnt really drop any of her standards to make room for those new songs. I would be all for a longer show that included the standards but also brought out some rare or new material.

Agreed that the setlist was divine, but it's a shame that her vocals were fer ****e on that tour. It's almost a tragedy that she didn't do a setlist like this with her Street Angel-era voice.

I bet alot of people go to see a man or a woman about a horse."go to the bathroom"Or get a beer,when Mick is working his nuts off on his drums on "World Turning"On the set list,I have to agree It gets stale after 3 or more shows.I alway say dont go to who ever is getting tired of the same show.

what does that mean. like to go blow a line or something?

HaHaHa. No ,It's a old saying means that I have to take a crap,in a nice way of saying it.

See a man about a horse. :lol: That's funny.

lol,,I'm using that one

Dear Stevie,

Even though I was pissed off that you did not perform "Rhiannon" in 1987 (in Texas) and 1989, I've now decided to be selfish and declare that I want you to just drop ALL of your classic hits, the ones played on the commercials for your concerts, and just do a set of fan favourites. Just for me and some other Internet friends. Forget those losers who want to hear "Gold Dust Woman" or "Stand Back" ~ haven't they heard those songs enough already?!?! Who cares if they paid to hear those songs???

Feel free to use this set list I have prepared for you, Stevie, the only one that will satisfy your true fans. Trust me on this, Stevie. The second "Landslide" starts, the Internet bitching will commence with NO end in sight.

Stevie Set List That Will Please The Internet Posters (Nothing Less Will Do!)
1. Wild Heart
2. Angel
3. Smile At You (done circa 1981!)
4. She Still Loves Him
5. Long Way To Go
6. Sable on Blond
7. Long Distance Winner
8. Bella Donna
9. Violet and Blue
10. That's Alright
11. One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star
12. Julia
13. Thrown Down
14. Blue Lamp
Encore:
15. Sisters of The Moon
16. Crystal

Heed my advice, Stevie! NOTHING LESS will satisfy your true fans!!!

I'm not going to concerts. I know she is just going to do the same thing over and over again.

Dear Stevie-
Please perform a brand new song you've written recently which you will release on your upcoming solo album to be released this fall and debut it at your Atlantic City show in August.
Thank you.
Lindsay, you're biggest fan.

But can we keep Julia though? :lol:

What's funny bout this thread, which also just borders on being RIDONK, is that when you see her...and you're at the show...and Landslide really DOES start...it's just all so good. Who cares how many times you've heard it. It IS magic.

thru dat, bro! I was gonna say the same thing. For me, this summer will be my first Stevie concert. I can't even imagine what it would be like to not experience Edge of Seventeen Live, and all i want to do in my lifetime is hear those opening notes of "Rhiannon" live...chills!

That's exactly how I feel. Who cares if I've heard it a dozen times before--you're in the actual prescence of Stevie Freaking Nicks! For all I care, she could come out and just talk to us for a couple of hours and I'd be happy. Wait....that might be a good idea now that I think about it....:D

My point with my original post was that Stevie herself says she loves being able to switch things up but is afraid to actually do so. I'm saying she shouldn't worry about that, just do what she wants to do and we, the fans, will be happy with it regardless. If she really wants to change things up, then she should do so without worrying about it.

For all the people who say she has to perform her hits, tell me, how many of these songs are her staple songs? Enchanted, Crash, Sorcerer, I Need To Know, Circle Dance, Fall From Grace, Rock and Roll. These were all performed on the last tour and my money says the "majority" of the casual concert goers aren't looking for those songs. Nobody is going to walk out pissed because Stevie sang Sisters of the Moon instead of Rock and Roll or I Need To Know, or hell even Fall From Grace or If Anyone Falls. Now, I loved Crash, Enchanted, and Fall From Grace and she hasn't beat those to death like Landslide, but I don't think she has as many "staple songs" as we like to believe. Rhiannon, Dreams, Landslide, Edge, and Stand Back are her main songs that everyone wants to hear. That's five songs that she may feel uneasy about taking out of her setlist, but if you tell Waddy to knock off the long guitar intro to Edge and the long percussion intro to Stand Back, that buys some more time. Keep those five and build a completely new setlist around them and change it up every tour. We love If Anyone Falls, How Still My Love, and Gold Dust Woman, but if you dropped them, us die hard fans would be okay and so would the casual ones. She usually does about 15 songs in each setlist, so hey, those five staple songs and 10 new/rare songs and everyone leaves happy. And hell, interchange Landslide and Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You every few shows.

Dear Stevie,

Please forget about a solo tour and a solo album. Make a great album with Fleetwood Mac or even just as Buckingham Nicks!! Then when you tour, please sing Sisters of the Moon, Angel, and Straight Back!

P.S. No one else will probably agree with a word I just said. :laugh:

No, I agree :lol: And while you're at it, Stevie, seeing as we're all hoping and wishing etc, GET CHRISTINE BACK GIRL http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs40/f/20...zzzzzzz123.gif

I would like to hear her sing

1. That's alright
2. Sable on Blonde
3. Room on Fire
4. Nightbird
5. Gypsy
6. Beautfiul Child
7. Bella Donna
8. Leather and Lace
9. The Highwayman
10. Planets of the Universe
11. Talk to me
12. Seven Wonders
13. Destiny Rules
14. Sisters of the Moon
15. After the Glitter Fades
16. Candlebright
17. Twisted

I've heard the others so many times

Thanks for agreeing, ButterCookie. I would have also mentioned getting Chris back, but I so doubt it will happen that I just didn't say it!

If you add Think About It and Fireflies, this would be the most amazing setlist ever :D:D

I would pay sad amounts of money to see this!

Attention Karen Johnston:
 

Attention Karen Johnston:

As You Are The Person Closest To Stevie Nicks, I Feel I Must Try To Get Your Attention Concerning A Matter That Bothers Me A Great Deal, And Bothers Many Fans A Great Deal.

It Concerns Stevie's Set List At Her Concerts. If You Are On This Forum, Or If Anyone Close To Stevie Nicks Is On This Forum, I Ask That You Please Hear Me Out, And To Please Send My Thoughts On To Stevie.

I Am A Dedicated And Devoted Fan Of Stevie Nicks. Recently There Has Been A Letter Posted On This Board By A Member Named Skuncles. This Letter Is To Stevie Regarding Her Set List At Her Shows. It Asks Stevie To please Change Her Set List. Instead Of Playing The Same Old Songs, Skuncles Has Asked Stevie To Add More Songs, Songs From Her Albums That We Never Hear. I Am In Complete Agreement With His Letter. And I Feel It Is Important To Try To Get Your Attention, As You Are Most Likely The Only One Who Can Tell Stevie About This Letter.

Stevie needs To Change Her Set List. It Is Imperative.

Many Fans Have Been Seeing Stevie Since 2000 And Prior To 2000. And They Are Tired Of Hearing The Same Old Songs Over And Over Again. And That's All Stevie Does, Is Play The Same Songs Over And Over Again. I Am Hoping You Can Tell Her That She Needs To Add To And Change Her Setlist.


We Want To Hear More Songs From Her Other Albums. It Seems To Me That Stevie Does Not Care What We Want To Hear. That Is Unfortunate. She Depends On Us To Go To Her Shows, And The Fact Is That We Will Go To Her Shows, But We Are Unhappy Customers. I Think It's Important That You Know That. Because I Don't Think Stevie Knows That. I'm Hoping You Can Tell Her. For The Sake Of Us, Her Devoted Fans.

I Am Writing This On This Forum, Because There Is No Other Way To Reach Stevie. And That's Another Sad Fact. Is There A Way We Can Reach Stevie? To Tell Her Something? If There Is, Please Let This Forum Know. We Would Love To Tell Her How We Feel. We Love Her And Love All Of Her Songs. We Are Her Fans.

Thank You For Listening.

Why is there a capital letter for every word in there?

Because, That Is The Only Way Karen Can Read. Because All Of Our Posts Have been like this she hasn't been able to read all the complaints/suggestions to stevie. But Now That We Have An Official Thread (The Capital Letters Make It Official) That Karen Herself Can Understand, We Will Be Sure That All Of the Original Poster's Dreams Will Be Answered.

We (hate) Love You Karen!



Now to be serious, if you don't like Stevie's setlist, don't go to the show.

Ahh, it all makes sense now.

Yeah, actually, quite a few of us aren't unhappy customers because we've not been to a show yet. If you were planning on going and changed your mind, NoLight, I'll have your ticket :shrug:

i think nolight reads like karen, so i'll be the first to ask.

May I Have Your Ticket To See Stevie?

ha! take that buttercookie. ;)