Fleetwood Mac packs them in over two nights at Hope Estate | PHOTOS
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By NICK MILLIGAN Nov. 15, 2015, 4:29 p.m The Maitland Mercury
The grey sky that hung over Hope Estate on Saturday evening eventually fulfilled its promise of rain.STILL HOT: The weather wasn’t kind, but Fleetwood Mac still packed them in over two nights at Hope Estate – and the magic that made them one of the world’s powerhouse live bands over the last four decades was still there for all to see.
But it would take more than a downpour and cold wind to dampen the *spirits of 19,000 Fleetwood Mac fans, who danced and sang to a marathon 23-song set.
The legendary rock band were fulfilling a promise of their own - returning to Australia after cancelling a 2013 national tour due to founding member and bassist John McVie’s cancer diagnosis.
Luckily he recovered and remains in the band.
It was also the first time in 16 years that co-vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Christine McVie had been a member of the group.
As night fell, Fleetwood Mac opened the Hunter leg of their On With The Show tour with four tracks from their landmark recording Rumours – rocker The Chain, the Christine McVie performed and penned You Make Loving Fun, Second Hand News and Dreams.
Then it was time for Rhiannon, a song likely responsible for the names of the all the Rhiannons in attendance.
It was evident that this classic five-piece line-up, which transformed Fleetwood Mac from a blues band into a pop-orientated juggernaut with their eponymous 1975 debut record, remain a tight, seamless live unit.
A stand-out moment was the stripped-back acoustic performance of Landslide by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and sorcerous singer Stevie Nicks.
Also memorable was an extended heavy, spacey rendition of I’m So Afraid in which guitarist Lindsey Buckingham stretched out into an epic guitar solo, showing off his distinctive finger-picking style.
The jaunty instrumental Tusk received a rapturous response, and Little Lies and Go Your Own Way made everyone forget they were wrapped in plastic ponchos and braving the elements.
The first encore contained pop-hit Don't Stop and the anthem Silver Springs, before a closing second encore of Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie on Songbird.
But aside from the polished performance and stream of classic songs was evidence of a band that, despite their colourful and tumultuous history, still manages to hone in on the chemistry that makes them one of the most loved acts in music history.
They remain a joy to watch.