Wildhearted gave such a great review, but I'll add in a few things.
-The VIP with Mick was totally worth it. I honestly only did it for the good seats but I ended up being totally fascinated by his stories. It was also handled very well, very organized and they were all very gracious.
I do remember one of the comments he made during the Black Sabbath story, he was seguewaying into performing in general and how to treat an audience (or not) and how some artists won't even speak to the audience. Someone mentioned Van Morrison - which was funny because she had mentioned him while we waited outside in line for the same thing - that he doesn't address the audience at all. At that point, Mick agreed and then did say something like, "but he's so great you don't mind". Later, during the Q&A there were several interesting tidbits - he mentioned drummers he was fond of - the guy who played on "Teen Beat" is his favorite drummer and also another guy who used to play with BB King.
About music in general he said he listens to a variety of music, but probably mostly blues. But, if you asked him to name 100 blues artist he could only come up with 5. He said he also listens to hip-hop, boy bands (because they can sing) and other new music, but that he doesn't purchase new music as a rule. Lindsey does purchase new music to "keep up" with what's current. He made the comment about how people will say things like "oh, there will never be another Jimi Hendrix - but that's not true. There will always be someone else come along who is better."
I also found the story of finding Lindsey (and Stevie) interesting to hear him tell it in person. He explained how he had listened to the Buckingham Nicks album with Keith Olsen at Studio City and then a couple of weeks later Bob Welch quit and he called Keith Olsen to ask who he had listened to that day. Keith told him pretty much right away that they came together, that he would never get Lindsey without Stevie. He said he hired them without an audition, their album was that good, and met a Mexican restaurant. He sort of smirked when he said that and I wondered what he must have been remembering. One man said he had been to the show in Birmingham, AL when Buckingham Nicks announced they would be joining Fleetwood Mac and they were very excited. Mick was really excited to hear that, he said he had never met anyone who had been at that show and he repeated a couple of times that he was going to relay this personally before the show to Stevie and Lindsey. I wish I had the chance to ask this gentleman a few questions about that show, but I didn't see him again.
Mick talked almost non-stop, I don't know how he did it. But, I could have listened to him for hours.
I probably should have put that in the VIP thread, but OH WELL.
Noticed the acoustic instrumentals of "Beautiful Child" and "Stephanie" pre-show.
Great to meet up with Wildhearted & TwistedGypsy!
****
This show seriously was so amazing!!! I can't even tell you in words! The set list was flawless. It flowed so well, much better than Unleashed.
I was a little sad for Stevie (and me) because "Without You" draws the least audience response. The intro she did was cute, but she did cut it down considerably and seemed a bit self-conscious about it, and Lindsey didn't even get to say his spiel about how Mick didn't know he also needed a brilliant lead singer. He seemed poised to do it, but never quite jumped in there. So, I would suggest maybe y'all just let Stevie tell her story and not try to get her to cut anything down. It's all good! And, it's really more fun. I did think it was funny when she said she had written the poem in 1970 and actually she and Lindsey had been together for quite a while before that -- shades of Los Gatos were in my head from her "Gypsy" Unleashed story -- but Lindsey kinda grinned and shook his head and then went to Mick because he felt the need to dispute that to someone and Mick was obviously his closest culprit. Because, hey if he had said it to me, I would have agreed with Stevie! LOL. It was cute how she said "no where in the description for lead guitarist did it read and his hippie girlfriend". She thanked her boys and Lindsey blew her a kiss. I think John is actually getting into her giving him props now. He grinned. I do hope Stevie could see several of us were singing along and I think she got a kick out of us doing her 5-count "ah's" with her at the end.
On the flip side of the new songs, "Sad Angel" keeps everyone dancing and I noticed a lot of us at the stage at least knew the words and it got a great applause at the end.
Other observations I had -- strictly from the PDA point of view -- there was no hand kissing. I'm not sure what I did that deserved that, but yeah. There was not as much Stevie & Lindsey antics or interacting. She didn't chase him during GYOW, he barely held her hand at the end of Landslide - although I forgive that for the "pinky promise" - that was so cute. And, Lindsey did get almost right to her mic during Sara when she's singing "You just ask me and I'll be there, I care." And, Lindsey leaning up to her during "Sara" when she's at his mic is getting to be better than the hug! So, it evened out pretty good for my Buckingham Nicks moments.
For "Landslide", it did crack me up how she came over to the mic and she did a little wave at him and said, "Hi." During the dedication, she mentioned Matthew's mom and that she would be so proud - maybe it was my vantage point but I thought that was emotional. She then said Leo Rossi, who used to be a tour manager I think, and how he was backstage laughing that he didn't think they would make it out of the 80's. Then, it was kinda funny how she turned around to Lindsey and told him who she dedicated it to and he was like, "I know."
I have to say, I have no shame about riding on Wildhearted's Tusk coattails. I finally scored some Lindsey interaction due to that! We had some great "Stand Back" sing-a-long moments - I think I actually got a genuine laugh out of him on that and got to strum his guitar during GYOW. Oh, I have to say, I was so thrilled with "Not That Funny" - I thought I might be bored but it was so cool! It was just as Michele described it - very angry young man - punk. Perfect. Stevie dancing in the shadows to NGBA - was so dramatic and creepy in a way. At one point, I actually wondered if she was having a problem, but no that was just her doing her thang. LOL. And, do her thang did she ever - especially on "Gold Dust Woman"! OMG!!! She was ON FIRE!!! I have never seen such a fantastic, brilliant performance!!! The band was smoking and she was so in character on that song....I have no other words. It blows every other song out of the water, with the exception of "I'm So Afraid", which is Lindsey's moment. The arena went absolutely nuts after that. I have seen him do this a few times live, and it is always one of my all time favorites, but this was the best performance ever!!! When they came back out for the encores, we had a pretty good line of sight to Stevie and she really got into "Silver Springs" at the end. I was very happy with the energy she put into it - because sometimes she fizzles out by then. And, ending with "Say Goodbye" which I was not looking forward to - it actually was perfect. The arena was fairly quiet except for the odd shout here and there - but they focus so completely on the song it's not as obnoxious if you just watch and listen to them - easier to do at the stage, I'm sure.
I just can't even tell you how thrilled I was last night - and proud - to be a Fleetwood Mac fan! If you have a chance and haven't - GO SEE THEM! They are at the top of their game and you will be so glad you went! But, I have to say last night, the balance was pure Buckingham Nicks. And, they really brought it.
