So I received my tour program in the mail today (I had asked my friend to buy one for me at the 9/13 Chicago show).
I'm actually pleasantly surprised that it looks OK. The production quality is nowhere near other tour programs I've purchased (e.g. Tina Turner, Madonna, Cher). But it far exceeds anything Stevie has released on her tours, though the Whole Lotta Trouble tour program is probably one of the stronger ones from a graphic design perspective. Thank God, Chris Nicks had nothing to do with this one.
*SPOILER*
In case you don't plan to buy one...
The tour program has 24 pages, with almost all of the pages including some color, plus the cover. The color scheme is black, red and white throughout. The cover features each band member in one of four squares. Turn the page, each band member is featured again in consecutive vertical shots (Stevie, John, Mick, Lindsey). An eight-page essay, titled "The Opening Act" by Rolling Stone editor David Wild follows next, with two pages of concert photos arranged in a collage. Collages generally breed tacky design, but at least the photos are neatly arranged.
Next up is an eight-page "Q&A with the Band" -- questions about the Say You Will album, life on the road, life without Christine, favorite songs to perform onstage, the band chemistry and the supporting musicians. Each band member gets a full-page picture in this section.
Next, a few pages for the tour rehearsal and the supporting musicians. Two pages for the discography, with the 1980 Live album cover error. A page for FleetwoodMac.com and then the tour credits.
Overall, it's a good tour program. I like the full page color pictures of each band member, though Stevie's has the worst picture quality of the four (it's blurry and looks like a typical "fan shot" from the side of the stage). The design is consistent, employing the same color and typography as the album. The overall selection of the photography could be A LOT better. I'm guessing someone in the fan club took these shots, rather than a concert photographer, because they are not high quality shots; many are blurry, others are grainy. No photographer is credited either, which leads you to believe this task was delegated to someone on the inside.
Out of five stars, I'd give it three stars. Not bad, not spectacular.
Daniel