Birmingham NEC Review : 26-11-03

[ivorymorning]

Here's my review of the 26th November....I assumed you all knew the set list ;-)

Fleetwood Mac
National Exhibition Centre -Birmingham
26 November, 2003

Down at the front by the stage, a group of Fireflies mill around in front of Stevie's mike stand... All joking, laughing and catching up with each other. Making new friends and spreading the word about Fireflies. Nothing unusual at first glance, It happens time and again at Fleetwood Bac gigs up and down the country. But tonight is different, because at long last, that letter 'B' has become an 'M'!

I have never ever been as cold as I was standing outside the stage door for the hour or so that we waited. All our feet had turned to ice, not just Louise's, who, obviously thought she was in Las Vegas again and was wearing flip-flops ! Even Steph in her platform boots was feeling the chill from the pavement. I would like to dispel here and now the myth that hanging around stage doors is anywhere approaching glamorous. The stage entrance of the NEC could be mistaken for any industrial estate anywhere in the UK - large grey buildings, lots of those distinctive roller shutters and a jobsworth in a small security hut. A small group of us had made our way round the back to watch the band members arrive: Steph, Mike, Gem, Louise, Pip, Nat, Jenni and myself. Nat's Mum had made the most astonishing cake. It was square and painted red for the Say You Will cover. On it she's made and hand-painted loads of album covers, including Stevie's Enchanted and Lindsey's Out of the Cradle. Round the bottom she's put all the British-based websites and one for Fleetwood Bac too! They took it to the door and passed it through, we hope that the band got to see it because it was sooo good!

Arriving first in a long sleek blacked out black Mercedes was Mick Fleetwood. He came straight over and signed everything that was put in front of him - bless him! It was fabulous of him to do that, and it was a special moment - despite not being able to feel my feet! Quite how we managed not to take him to task for employing the Toad I don't know, but I think we were all a bit gobsmacked that he came straight over!

Next to arrive in a similar black Mercedes was Lindsey - he just went straight in. After that came John who sportingly waited for us to finish our rendition of 'Happy Birthday' before commenting that the motorised scooter waiting for Stevie's father was actually for him.

The supporting musicians arrived in packed out and blacked out Chrysler Voyagers (the only MPV that makes a people-carrier look sexy). Brett Tuggle shouted that he hoped we enjoyed the evening. Pip, Mike and Louise had a few words with Sharon Celani who had obviously come prepared for the British Arctic-like winter, by being warmly wrapped up.

Finally Stevie's entourage arrives in two MPV's, hers parked right by the door blocking any chance of us seeing her, but through the windscreen I did get a glimpse of someone's blonde hair....

So with the band arrived we turned round to make our way back to the main entrance....with great difficulty as our feet had seized up in the cold, but by that time it was impossible to get any colder than we were.

Dodgy moment trying to get into the venue as defaced tickets are declared void...! The fact that the signature scrawled across it is Mick Fleetwood's is it's only saving grace. As cameras got in last night and I'd phoned and checked to see if digitals were allowed, imagine my annoyance when another jobsworth took it off me and said I couldn't take my camera in! The same thing happened to Nat, so I think the pair of us were doing 'Muttley' impressions...LOL!

We all congregated at the front and I met some new friends...Christy (Wondergirl) from Neil's board and elsewhere and Sarah Woodward. It was good to see Kev again, although he didn't recognise me and two years on I still haven't forgiven him for calling Louise, Pip and myself 'slag bags' in his now infamous Fleetwood Bac review! ;-)

I'm sure my 3rd row seat was very comfortable, but I only sat in it for about 10 minutes, so that works out at £7.50 a minute! The rest of the time I was standing, in the area infront of Stevie's mike. The lights went out and I let out an involuntary scream,

showtime....!

Out from the darkess come Mick and John, followed after a moment by the sight I've waited so long to see...Stevie and Lindsey! They take their places and the first bars of The Chain start. It's real, they are here and from absolutely nowhere, tears pour unstoppably down my cheeks...thank Lancôme for Waterproof Mascara!

And wouldn't you know it...much as we joke on Fireflies that everybody knows Pip, we're not far from the truth, as both Lindsey and Stevie recognise her from last night. I know she's made up for life with that!

It's hard to convey to you in words why Stevie is so special, I think Lisa got close in her Dublin review when she was talking about Stevie being the reason for her daughters name. Stevie has got me through some difficult, difficult times and she's been there too when life is at its sweetest. Stevie is the soundtrack to my life, her songs bring back memories through the years. She is Rhiannon...she is Crystal...she is the Wild Heart and the Gypsy. Stevie is the great darkwing, Alice, Juliet, the Gold Dust Woman. The poet, the sorcerer and the rock and roll ballerina. Each one of her songs a reminder of a situation or a feeling, and now the writer of those songs was here, on the stage, only a few feet away from me. Time and again I wished I could just have half a minute of her time to explain why she's so special, but I don't think I need it, I think she already knows the impact she has. You can keep your Britneys, your Christinas, your Madonnas or any other reinvention queen for that matter, I'll take Stevie in the same black dress anytime. "...it is the constant in my life..." This close she looks amazing, you do get the sense that this is no mere waif here, she is one tough cookie and it shines though. I think many of her critics dismiss her as being some pathetic Barbara Cartland-like fluff, which they are badly mistaken on. Look in the dictionary under 'gutsy woman' and it says see Stevie Nicks.

I didn't actually stop crying until part way through Dreams, at that point I started to realise that there were other people on the stage as well as Stevie. Seeing Lindsey Buckingham was a bit of a shock. Firstly I didn't imagine him to be that athletic 'for an old bloke'...LOL!' The passion that comes out of him is amazing...how he has the energy to walk back out to his car let alone get his wife pregnant I don't know...the man is in a league of his own. The British reviewers are starting to take note now, that here is a seriously underrated guitarist and a true showman. I'm glad there is some justice in the world, that Neil, Christy and Seteca got to play Lindsey's guitar, that was great for such devoted long time fans of his.

Wishing John a Happy Birthday was a great moment - I wish he'd come forward and take a bow, he deserves it just as much as the others. I hope he liked the penguin shower and I hope he got to see the card.

And wouldn't you know it...that Mick Fleetwood drum solo wasn't too bad after all, although as to what on earth was he muttering about I haven't the foggiest. Did you guys notice that his drum pad waistcoat is getting a little threadbare ?? Looks like he'll have to keep touring to afford a new one!

Thanks for reading

Rachel Lewis
Fireflies UK

[AliP]

Great Review! Thanks so much for sharing

[Tango]

I loved reading your take on the evening. I especially loved your descriptions of how Stevie is special to you. I would LOVE to see a picture of that "Say You Will" cake if anyone happened to get a pic of it. What a time you all must have had! I'm happy for ALL of you!

[ivorymorning]

Originally posted by Tango
I would LOVE to see a picture of that "Say You Will" cake if anyone happened to get a pic of it.

Thanks for your comments. There are some pictures of it floating around, I'll ask someone to come and post them or send the link.

[Tango]

"Let them eat cake!" It was so sweet that you guys made a cake like that!

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Cake

[ivorymorning]

Thanks for posting the picture Pip - I'm sure everyone will want one for their birthday now!