[NurseDJackson]

Interesting thread...some nice thoughts about what went on Thursday night. When I saw FM in 2003-04 there were a ton of people on stage with them, including this tour's hidden Steve...don't know why he was hidden this time (and he didn't appear to be playing a trap set at any point---he was often visible in the background of close-up shots), don't know why Sharon and Lori had to be in silhouette most of the night, either (considering that any high note heard over the course of the set was coming from Celani). As per the questions about Christine's playing, it seemed like she was playing the entire night, even if there was that "half" part of SYLM before they stopped and started again. You could see it in the audience...everyone was like, "we know that boogie woogie beat" but not...quite....I didn't see the incident during Silver Springs, but for the most part it appeared as though McVie was playing, and I agree with others that it had her distinctive flair, albeit with parts augmented by the non-hidden (was it) Brett Tuggle.

SOTM was the first non "hit" song of the night and some people used it as an opportunity to take a little break. Thought she sounded great on it and enjoyed the "old lady" version...there was a little bit of Glenn Danzig in her "sistah"!!! Agree that it's definitely better than the versions I've heard from the last tour. Another example of how much Xtine McVie adds...

Maybe IKINW was the first offical non-hit, but the crazy/ridiculous psychopathic hypnosis visuals of that song, the trainwreck-of-it-all, was enough to keep people glued to their seats....

7 Wonders, from where I was sitting, got a great reaction from the crowd. Everyone seemed to love it and she killed it. Great song. The not-exactly-explanatory "American Horror Story: Coven" announcement at the end was funny as ****!

I concur that Little Lies was the hit of the night. One of my companions said that "they finally played McVie's songs like rock songs" and they all sounded great.
And her voice was fantastic. Just a slight drop, maybe a half-step, but more velvety and rich than her young years, if that's possible. Just Really good. She made the night just so fantastic.

BOTH MCVIES ARE TOO THIN, though! The reason for one is obvious, but I hope it's a healthy thin and not a "wrecked by chemo/radiation" thin...no one has ever given that man his dues as a musician. He's been standing there quietly for, what, 46-47 years?

Mick Fleetwood is a wonder to behold. It's the first time I've seen him do a drum solo without the horrid digital vest and MY GOD WAS IT FANTASTIC! However, him and Stevie both needing a moment at the end was a little much. Bringing out your tween daughters (what is this, his like 3rd round of kids)....but perhaps that all stemmed from Buckingham being on stage with McVie during Songbird. They could have all just given her the moment (or come back and did Farmer's Daughter)...but between the "dreamcatchers" speech and the "look, I have kids to support" bit....the impact of Songbird was a little ruined.

GDW was a revelation. Nicks can always find a way to add to that song and take 25,000 people to a trance place. The "the crackhead dance" and the additional lyrics on top of the additional lyrics were awesome! She did this crazy Sheela-Na-Gig squat...everyone went nuts!

Some of the visuals were unnecessary, like the Rhiannon character, but I suppose they figure they need something extra these days. Beyond that, I don't know how much "faking" was going on other than how obvious it was that the sound was hyper-perfect...everything was sent through auto-tune (which still can't save the occasional blown Stevie Nicks note)...not sure if this is autotune but I've noticed over the years that Nicks always sounds higher in concert than she does on recordings, as if her mic is pitched up. More than the half-step McVie's voice has dropped. Digital clarity is just so different than what music used to sound like.

One of my companions noted, as another did on this thread, that the bass was mixed a little high, but it was corrected quickly (or we all just got used to it shaking our guts, which is probably why it was mixed high to begin with/it was THE CHAIN so, you know, loud bass is good for that).

Buckingham was his usual self, but like others have noted, slightly detached. Didn't bother me much as he can be a little overwhelming. Still has to "tell, not show" by babbling too much. And his solos were reigned in this time.

Overall it was an excellent night and I hope everyone who goes has as much fun as everyone seemed to have on Thursday at the United Center. My one friend who's seen them in the 70s said that he was ecstatic to finally see them when they were awesome as his times in the 70s saw Nicks with a blown out voice, Buckingham passing out while playing, and generally bad sound. My other friend, who filled in last minute for someone else, was thrilled with the night and her review really put it out there simply,

"This would have been as impressive 30-40 years ago!"