San Diego Show, 12/2/14
 

Who's going besides me? I managed to pull a pair of row 11, side stage, Christine's sude last week. Should be cool seats from what I've read here about seats in that area for shows. I'm in section P. It's supposed to rain all day/night today, so I guess I'll bring an umbrella.

- Jamie

You probably are the only one, tickets for that show are/were ridiculous! :lol:

That's a nice little arena. I saw them there July 2013. Enjoy the show!

My parents are on their way now, so jealous! I graduated college in that theater and saw FM there last year, there really aren't too many bad seats! Have fun!

Guys- I made it down to the stage even before they did their first song. It was like a dream We were between Stevie snd Christine. More later... :)

Wow .Thats great for you.I cant wait for your review.

Last night was AMAZING. We got to the venue gates to see that they weren’t letting people in yet. (Doors open at 7 and it was 6:40) It was raining and we were sharing an umbrella. We took cover under a 101.5 KGB tent that kept us dry until the gates opened.

After we got in, we found our seats. We had section P, side stage, 11th row. Not bad at all. But we were in for something even better.

I'm not going to go into exactly how we got to the front row. I'll just say it was a combination of luck and a little help from a friend. When we got down to our *new* seats, I said, “Is this really happening right now??” I was trying to play it cool too – as to not irritate the people behind me like, who are these chicks and why are THEY here? About 2 minutes later our Stevie friend Cellene was able to acquire in the 2 seats to our left. We were like, No way! We all hugged and basked in our good fortune. I couldn’t believe what was happening – was this where we were going to be able to be for the concert – for real? OMG! We were right between Christine's keyboard and Stevie's mic. This could not be any more perfect for us!

We sat and talked with our friends for a few more minutes. I remember praying that this is indeed where we will stay and hopefully not be moved. (I’m guessing our seats went unsold which were why they were empty. These seats were selling for at least $2860 each on Ticketmaster’s resale. Someone wanted too much and we reaped the benefit of that.)
The “crickets” started. We were going to be here for sure! The lights went out and we stood up at the stage. I was just to the right of Stevie’s monitor and Kim was on my left. This was happening. The stage was tall – just under my chin. The band came out and we cheered so loud. We looked up and saw Christine looking down at us, smiling. We said, “Chistine!!” She smiled and waved at us. Stevie came out over to her mic and we of course went nuts.
We both noticed that Stevie seemed a little down in the beginning of the show. She dedicated Landslide to a friend of hers that was battling an illness (“Holly”?) Towards the end of the song, Stevie was tearing up and her eyes were red. Really emotional. Afterward, she said, “God Bless you, Holly.” Stevie looked like she needed a hug. After the next song, NGBA, Stevie was standing in the dark facing Micks’ drum set. Lindsey went over to her and hugged her. Kim yelled out, “Good boy!” LOL. So it seems Lindsey still pays attention to Stevie and knows her very well. She needed a hug and he gave it to her. After that, Stevie’s mood totally changed. She is a person that wears her emotions on her sleeve, or in her case, her shawl. I’m glad LB recognized she needed some extra love and gave it to her. She was on fire and smiling the rest of the way through. So, thanks, Lindsey. I shouted out at Stevie a couple times. It made her smile when I said, “Coven!” right before Seven Wonders. Another time she smiled at me in between songs when I yelled, “24 Karat Gold!!”

Kim got to shake Christine’s hand. Christine was shaking hands with someone to Kim’s left, and Kim held out her hand and Chris smiled at her and shook it. I could of held my hand up as well, but I didn’t want to start a chain of shaking hands Christine would have to deal with, LOL. I noticed Christine’s eyes are really light and pretty. I know what her eyes looked like before from videos, etc. But in person they’re really beautiful. She smiled at us a lot too. Very cool.
Lindsey came over to where we were during I’m So Afraid and played right above us. I was even the chosen one to get fake-kicked in the face at the end of the solo. I was honored, of course. Lindsey also gave us a few finger points when he was on the other side of the stage as we sang along.
Stevie didn’t do her post show speech. Just Mick - likely because she had to meet with the winner of the charity contest backstage after the show. They also had a show the next night.
Oh, I also noticed that security wasn't letting anyone but the front row to the stage. I noticed that has varied this tour. Frankly though, I think any seat is good in the first 5 rows, as long as you're relatively in the middle.

I have video of GDW and Gypsy that I plan to upload to Youtube tonight or tomorrow. I will post the link after I do so. I also got a few good photos. I didn’t take a ton though – I wanted to enjoy the show and also not irritate the band with constant phone in their faces. I am still in a daze from how wonderful last night was. I woke up this morning going, was that a dream?

Nope. All real.

Jamie

Jamie, I am so happy for you!! What an awesome night!!!

I'm so happy that you guys had a amazing night.Lucked out on good no show seats .I'm glad you guys kept dry and not swamping wet for the show.I had those wet days at Jones Beach shows.

That was nice they interact with you two.Thats another reason I love this band. I would be honored if it happen to me.They also recognized you two.

Nah..I probably could not sleep after that kind of night.

Well, I don't know if they recognized us. Stevie, maybe. Be nice if she did. I'll have to ask her one day if we have ever looked familiar to her. :laugh:

I did have trouble sleeping the 4 hours I had available last night. I made it to work though. It was all worth it. :thumbsup:

Jamie,

I'm so happy you guys got to the front! I think there is a video on Instagram of people shaking Christine's hand, too.
You are correct when you say LB knows Stevie very well. Probably better than anyone on the planet and he does take care of her.
Did you see any young females being led up in front of LB?

Thanks! I'll have to try to find that instagram video for Kim.

Yes. There were about 12 girls that were rounded up.

Rats. I was hoping only the true fans got up front. Anyway glad you made it up there. It's the best.
Let me see if I can send you the link.

Yes, thanks for the NGBA hug detail in particular. Fourth time that's occurred now (was skipped at both LA shows) and we still don't have clear footage of it. :lol:

Thanks for the review, and for the pictures on Twitter too - nice shots! x

I have a feeling Stevie did see you two even Mick too from behind his drum kit.I dont know how good his eyes are.

I had a feeling you had alittle trouble sleeping.I know I do after Stevie/FM shows.

aww, Jamie, i'm so happy for you!! so many great things happened for you guys last night - from the perfect spot in the front row, to Christine shaking hands, to interactions with all 3 FM singers!!

btw LB might know you if you've been to a good number of FM shows, several SN fans reported that when he'd see them in front of his mic he'd tease them, like raising his eyebrow or ask "wait aren't you at the wrong side?" ;)

and, thank you so so much for taking / sharing those fabulous LB and CM pictures - love them (pasted links to them below)!! :xoxo:

https://twitter.com/jkmaletic/status...007872/photo/1

https://twitter.com/jkmaletic/status...841024/photo/1

https://twitter.com/jkmaletic/status...116800/photo/1

plus video of hand-shaking with Christine you and welshwitchpmd mentioned: http://instagram.com/p/wI3EgPsPE4/

Here's the link to my video of "Gold Dust Woman". Sorry about the off-key fan singing (wasn't me).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKMc...ature=youtu.be


If anyone wants to ebb(?) it into this thread, feel free to. I don't know how.

Jamie

And here is my "Gypsy" (you see your, Gypsaayy...) ;) LOL, sorry. Overtired I guess.
Again, off-key singing is not mine. And *warning* to LB fans, so you don't waste your time, he is not in this video. He was on the other side of the monitor.

Watch at the very end - Stevie is smiling as she bows down when she hears us calling out to her. :angel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgj...ature=youtu.be

Jamie, it sounds magical. I'm glad it all worked out so perfectly for you and those unsold seats were put to good use. I love your pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Michele

Wow - congratulations to you on such a fantastic experience! I recall that you were really wondering whether to get tickets for this tour, so its great to see that it turned out so amazing and that you have another special memory from that venue.

I love Viejas Arena. I was there for the July 2013 FM show as well as the recent Tom Petty concert. It feels so much more laid back and friendly than the L.A. shows I typically go to. Hope to get down there again sometime.

San Diego's GDW is one of the best, if not THE best, I've seen on this tour. She was really feeling it. Some of her "crack head" dance moves are reminiscent of her RAL days...

December 3, 2014 U-T San Diego by George Varga

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...oncert-review/

Fleetwood Mac's concert reunion a triumph

With Christine McVie back in the fold after a 16-year hiatus, the Anglo-American band begins a welcome new chapter by looking back to its heyday.

If Mick Fleetwood’s shout-out to his own band in San Diego Tuesday night simply (and loudly) stated the obvious, well, he’s surely earned the right to crow a bit.

“The Mac is definitely back!” the towering, 6-foot-5-inch drummer proudly declared. The sold-out audience of nearly 10,000 fans at SDSU’s Viejas Arena cheered loudly in return, just as it had through nearly all of the 2½-hour-plus show.

For the record, apart from a hiatus of a few years in the 1990s, this legendary rock act has never been away. Fleetwood is the only member to have performed in each of the band’s many lineups since its inception in 1967, including the one that performed here last year at Viejas Arena.

But Tuesday’s concert was especially memorable because it found this veteran ensemble taking a major step forward by taking a major step back. After a 16-year hiatus — a period of time far longer than the entire careers of many rock bands — singer, keyboardist and songwriter Christine McVie this year rejoined Fleetwood Mac for her first tour with the group since 1999.

Her welcome return is both exhilarating and liberating. This holds true both for the band and its multigenerational fans, many of whom remained standing and often sang along for much of Tuesday’s show.

Or, as Fleetwood put it after “World Turning,” the first of four encore selections: “Having this wonderful lady share the stage, making us complete, our songbird has returned.”

At 71, McVie is the oldest member of Fleetwood Mac, which was a three-year-old English blues-rock band when she came on board in 1970. Her return has bolstered the group in several key ways.

Down to earth and free of even a hint of affectation, she provides a welcome counterbalance to singer Stevie Nicks and singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. The two American musicians joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 and helped propel it to international pop-rock superstardom with the classic 1977 album, “Rumours.”

McVie sang lead on nearly a third of the 24 songs performed Tuesday, nearly all of which had been deferentially shelved by the band when she retired in 1999. It was a treat to hear her rustic, fuss-free lead vocals on “You Make Loving Fun,” “Little Lies,” “Say You Love Me” and the concert-concluding “Songbird.”

It was equally enjoyable hearing her harmonize again with Nicks and Buckingham, who clearly relished having their longtime collaborator back in the fold. So did drummer Fleetwood, 67, and bassist John McVie, 69, Christine’s former husband, who sounded and appeared none the worse after starting treatment last fall for cancer. (The band was tastefully augmented by three female backing singers and two male auxiliary musicians, who also supplied periodic vocal support.)

Christine McVie’s return also means Nicks and Buckingham no longer each have to handle 50 percent of the lead vocals. As a result, both were able to tackle such classics as “Dreams,” “Rhiannon,” “Second Hand News” and “Tusk” with renewed energy and enthusiasm. They also beamed broadly as they harmonized with McVie on “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and other decades-old gems that still sound fresh and vital.

Buckingham delivered a number of inspired guitar solos that showcased his finger-picking prowess. His rippling lines on "I Know I'm Not Wrong," "Big Love" and the Wishbone Ash-inspired "I'm So Afraid" were highlights. Ditto Nicks' deeply moving singing on "Landslide," and "Gold Dust Woman," which turned into a rare (at least for the current iteration of Fleetwood Mac) extended jam.

Fleetwood and John McVie provided a rock-solid foundation throughout. Their tirelessly robust playing in no way indicated the two, both of whom are longtime U.S. residents, qualified for Social Security several years ago.

Alas, the pacing of the concert sagged in places, including a rousing, but overly extended, Buckingham solo segment that seemed designed to give his band mates an extended offstage break. Fleetwood’s 5-minute drum solo on “World Turning,” while an undeniable crowd-pleaser, overstayed its welcome. Conversely, Nicks' introduction to "Gypsy" was as long as some of the songs performed, but she reminisced about her years as a young aspiring musician with more than enough infectious verve to compensate.

And when everything clicked, which was often, time almost stood still — even as Buckingham, 65, boyishly bounded across the stage and Nicks, 66, did her witchy woman twirls. Don’t stop, indeed.

Entertainment Today

http://entertainmenttoday.net/nocat/...an-diego-2014/

Fleetwood Mac – San Diego 2014

BRAD AUERBACH Dec 3rd, 2014 0 Comment

Many decades ago the steady throbbing beat of “Hypnotized” played in a loop in my brain during swim team practice. I knew the British blues band Fleetwood Mac from their mesmerizing instrumental “Albatross” and always thought that their lead singer was performing in a low ceilinged club for “Oh Well.” I would rattle the cages of anyone I cared about, encouraging them to check out recent albums like Bare Trees and Heroes Are Hard to Find. On the latter, the fluid guitar work of Bob Welch, coupled with the steady engine room of founding members John McVie on bass and Mick Fleetwood on drums, was rounded our with Christine McVie’s crystalline vocals and keyboards.

And then on the mid 70s Fleetwood Mac were finally performing near me, a college gig opening for Return to Forever. Fleetwood Mac had just released an eponymous album with an American couple, whose only album was quite good (also eponymously titled – Buckingham Nicks – and still yet to be released digitally). The band reworked at least one song from that album (“Crystal”), and the result was a Fleetwood Mac album that suddenly everyone liked. The America duo’s exposure to Fleetwood Mac is like a fairytale: drummer Fleetwood was checking out the acoustics of Sound City in the San Fernando Valley and the duo’s album was randomly grabbed as a sonic guinea pig.

The band now numbered five, two Americans and three Brits. Their Fleetwood Mac album exploded.

Rather quickly Fleetwood Mac was everyone’s band. I was happy and sad at the same time; this cool band that no one knew was suddenly filling the airwaves and stadia across the land. The 1975 album went five times platinum. Two years later they released Rumours, which went twenty times platinum.

I was faced with a conundrum: could I like a band that was so popular? The songs were so ubiquitous I could not discern their true quality. And then a couple years later came the third blow to my head when their double disc Tusk was released, which seemed like The Beatles white album – all over the place and still sorta cool.

I found solace in an obscure non-album B-side called “Silver Springs.” That was my song because it was great and no one heard it. Plus which, it was inspired by a town in Maryland, close to where I was born. The song has been pulled from obscurity and I love hearing it in concert.

The record label on those vinyl releases showed gorgeous palm trees, it was practically a Warner Brothers trademark. As I look back now, it was a magnet for me.

But I fell away from the band as they grew bigger. I observed from a distance the subsequent albums, nodded somewhat appreciatively when I heard the hit singles and was curious with some odd personnel changes through the 80s and 90s. The band went through a soap opera of intra-band swapping of bedmates, too much drugs and at least one bankruptcy.

I saw a couple Lindsay Buckingham solo shows, and was duly impressed with his guitar pyrotechnics and solo albums. He called those solo tours his ‘little machine,’ which was in stark contrast to the ‘big machine’ of Fleetwood Mac’s mammoth tour enterprises.

Nicks’ work with Tom Petty was also too popular; I remained a snob. I did appreciate Christine McVie’s little-noticed 1984 solo album (yet again, an eponymous album).

Then the ‘big three’ Fleetwood Mac albums were reissued about seven years ago. I had not touched the albums in decades. Across the years I had lost touch with how simply brilliant these songs remain. With three singers, three songwriters, two women and three men they managed to rock brilliantly (“Go Your Own Way”) and pull heartstrings effectively (“Landslide”).

Seeing them live is truly a monument to longevity and talent.

At Viejas Arena in San Diego, they assayed the prime time of their career, drawing mostly from the big three albums released during the band’s magic years of 1975-1979. Nicks’ voice has understandably narrowed in range, but she did push and hit the high notes in “Gypsy.” Christine McVie’s keyboard work and effortless vocals were glorious. The rhythm section, one of the longest lasting in rock, was a steady and propulsive metronome anchoring the band.

But it was Buckingham’s blazing guitar work that was the most mesmerizing. Of the two dozen songs over the course of the 2+ hours, he was a consistent and commanding presence onstage. Other band members occasionally floated offstage, but not Buckingham (at least not until Fleetwood wailed through his customarily loony drum solo). When Buckingham uncorks his guitar solo in the latter half of “Go Your Own Way” I would be happy if the song stretched for twice its length. He stamps his feet, storms back and forth across the stage and generally acts like a possessed kid for many of the louder songs. It all works, and I wonder if Fleetwood purposely emphasizes the last syllable when he introduces “our musical mentor Lindsey Buck-ing-HAM.”

I have overcome my snobbery; I am very glad this band that no one seemed to know when I first heard them is now commanding top dollar and deserving every penny filling venues on their latest tour.