THE BIG MACHINE, Does LB & The Band Need Reality Check?

David A · #1 10-13-2011, 04:45 PM

Hello All.

The basic question, Is FM still a big machine. It is very interesting, SYW was in 2003 ( I think ), and I think at peaked at #3 and then fell off after a few weeks, and basically didn’t have any “legs”. I think the SYW tour itself did very well and pretty much made it up for the album. Having said that, much has changed since 2003, the economic crisis, etc. I know that FM was offered some huge advance offer from Warners back THEN, and they took it, etc, and they are now free agents.

I love LB to death, and lately when he keeps saying “big machine”, I have been thinking maybe does LB need a reality check ? and maybe the band for that matter. Whether its 2012 or 2013, I have this sinking feeling that FM will be in for a real reality check. I have spent a week looking at all factors, etc. that would make me point to a reason where they can make it big again, in the sense of a new album, that does well and back it up with a tour. I looked at the Eagles Long Road Out Of Eden. That Eagles album did very well, and they followed it up with a good tour, all be it, maybe not as well as their Farewell I tour, but in any case, The Eagles had a nice come back with that, granted that was also many years ago. I don’t see how FM can do this again. I mean, what im saying, is factors. They are in their 70’s (or will be) and they haven’t released new album since 03, and the fact is that the Unleashed Tour may have had mixed financial results, and even that tour was long ago. From a strict financial/charts sense, they are going to be in for a real big surprise when their agents go into the board room and start demanding millions and millions in advances, and start to book large arenas, etc. I just find it hard to fathom how a label , now a days, is going to give them millions and millions in advance when in reality, their new album will be hard pressed to have legs, It should debut in top 10, but to have legs (Eagles last album had legs) and then to say that a tour where they will charge $135 a ticket is going to make any money.

I guess what im asking, is does the band and LB need a reality check? I mean, the BIG MACHINE may not be so big any more, and yet I have this feeling that the band doesn’t even know this, and kind of sad for them to find out down the road. Also, I would hate to think that LB and Mick and John are NEEDING the big machine to make them money again, when in reality it may not

I hope I am making sense. Lately, when Lindsey goes “this big machine” , I kind of think, “well, it isn’t big any more Lindsey, and I sure hope you aren’t banking on it for the future”

This is not a negative post, I just wondered if any of you have this feeling when LB says this

I wish I could have found some factors that would back up the big machine making it again in the future, but I can’t find any

David

poetinmyheart · #2 10-13-2011, 04:58 PM

I think Lindsey and the band are well aware that any album they put out will not sell like their previous albums. I've always taken his 'big machine' comment to mean that as a solo artist he plays smaller venues and makes little money -whereas Fleetwood Mac play huge arenas all over the world, travel in private jets, stay in lovely hotels etc etc. I don't think they expect to make lots of money out of releasing new material. Especially the way the industry is at the moment. They'll make money from a tour no doubt - they definitely have the ability to fill big arenas still.

I want them to put out new material regardless of the state of the music industry (and the fact it may not sell in the numbers they hope.) Their next album should be a labour of love for us loyal fans

!

**mylittledemon** · #3 10-13-2011, 05:06 PM

Fleetwood Mac is a brand of sorts. Generally anyone on the street has at least heard of Fleetwood Mac. I think that's what he means by big machine. They can still sell a helluva lot of concert tickets too. Records of course are another story. The next album needs to be markedly different than SYW if they are gonna keep that big machine running. Granted there are some great things on SYW, I still dig the record. But anyway... back to the big machine theory... To the average listener though, the band will forever be known for Rumours, which is always popping back up in pop culture (Glee anyone?) just as the Eagles will always generally be known for Hotel California.

louielouie2000 · #4 10-13-2011, 06:25 PM

Even by current standards, Fleetwood Mac is a monstrous machine compared to Lindsey's solo career. Just look at it this way:

* Fleetwood Mac's Say You Will debuted at #3 on the charts in 2003

* Lindsey's Under The Skin debuted at #80 in 2006

* Fleetwood Mac audience sizes the past decade have averaged about 15,000 people per show

* Lindsey's audience sizes this past decade have averaged about 1,500

* Fleetwood Mac tours worldwide

* Lindsey tours stateside

* Fleetwood Mac is all over TV & in a wide range of periodicals whenever they regroup

* Lindsey usually only makes pretty obscure periodicals whenever he is promoting a project

I can go on and on. But Fleetwood Mac, despite it's diminished stature, is indeed still the mega machine for Lindsey.

PenguinHead · #5 10-13-2011, 09:19 PM

I'm sure they are well aware of sorry state the music industry is in now, how technology has changed the market, as well as the age factors. The challenges they face are no different than any other seasoned artist/band.

Lindsey seems like he has come to terms with it reasonably, with lowered expectations, and a different mindset. What has not changed is his inspirationg to create and his motivation to perform.

Just because their music may not bust up the charts doesn't mean they will stop what they've been doing all their lives. They are not and will never be starving artists. There will always be an audience for their work.

HejiraNYC · #6 10-13-2011, 10:36 PM

HomerMcvie · #7 10-13-2011, 10:52 PM

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Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

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SteveMacD · #8 10-13-2011, 11:49 PM

While a reality check may be needed, I don't think THAT'S what he's talking about when he says "BIG MACHINE."

When Fleetwood Mac tours, they have their own PA, light show, video presentation, etc. That requires a LOT of people. There are probably over 50 people involved in putting on a Fleetwood Mac show. They travel in planes and trucks.

As a roadie for Guided by Voices, I can tell you we play similar venues as Lindsey. Usually these places have their own PA and light show, and sometimes (though rarely) video. All the band takes is guitars, amps, drums, merch, and luggage. On the main tour, we had ten people: five guys in the band, three roadies (aka drinking buddies), a tour manager, and the singer's wife. We usually travel in a 15 passenger van and a mini van.

michelej1 · #9 10-14-2011, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

When Fleetwood Mac tours, they have their own PA, light show, video presentation, etc. That requires a LOT of people. There are probably over 50 people involved in putting on a Fleetwood Mac show. They travel in planes and trucks.

Yes along with the millions, he's also referencing the managers, lawyers and agents, etc., all of the people who come around "when commerce is robust."

Michele

CADreaming · #10 10-14-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Yes along with the millions, he's also referencing the managers, lawyers and agents, etc., all of the people who come around "when commerce is robust."

Michele

And, it's a lot of pressure to be responsible for all those people's paychecks.

AliceLover · #11 10-14-2011, 09:41 AM

One word: Glee

Fleetwood Mac is cool again. For someone who works with todays youth, I was completely shocked and surprised by the surge of FM popularity. All of a sudden everyone is listening to the Mac again. I have kids telling me how much they love Rumours and want to see the band the next time they tour.

chiliD · #12 10-14-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

~Like button~

Double "Like" button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

There are probably over 50 people involved in putting on a Fleetwood Mac show.

Oh, you're being ultra-conservative with that number. I'd say 4 or 5x's that many. There's probably 50 people who just roll the Anvil cases on & off the trucks.

**jbrownsjr** · #13 10-14-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

While a reality check may be needed, I don't think THAT'S what he's talking about when he says "BIG MACHINE."

When Fleetwood Mac tours, they have their own PA, light show, video presentation, etc. That requires a LOT of people. There are probably over 50 people involved in putting on a Fleetwood Mac show. They travel in planes and trucks.

As a roadie for Guided by Voices, I can tell you we play similar venues as Lindsey. Usually these places have their own PA and light show, and sometimes (though rarely) video. All the band takes is guitars, amps, drums, merch, and luggage. On the main tour, we had ten people: five guys in the band, three roadies (aka drinking buddies), a tour manager, and the singer's wife. We usually travel in a 15 passenger van and a mini van.

Gee I can't imagine why Christine left after 30 plus years.

HomerMcvie · #14 10-14-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Gee I can't imagine why Christine left after 30 plus years.

Pretty off topic, but I ran monitors for Chris Robinson(of The Black Crowes - doing his solo band) yesterday. Not only was he nice as could be, and funny as sh*t, he actually loaded in gear, with the band and the stage hands. A real person. No big machine....I guess the situation is somewhat akin to Lindsey vs FM, although I can't picture Lindsey loading in gear.