Open Letter to The Mac

[Lindsfan]

Originally Posted by michelej1

If someone has seen the show and wants to complain that's fine. But if they haven't seen it and are just going by what they remember from 2009, 2003 or 1997 or 1982 I don't consider the opinion valid anyway.
Michele

Yes, that bugs me the most. I didn't go online after the Columbus show, but some friends were reading out loud, some of the Ledgie reviews, and it drives me nuts. Go see 'em first, for cryin' out loud!

Originally Posted by shackin'up

I was unhappy with the setlist in 2009, But I saw them twice, and, as a fan since the mid seventies, they blew my socks off. They never do what I want, and they always overwhelm me anyway. It's that electricity, and the combination of a priceless rythmsection with a sharp and endless energetic guitargod with this untouchable charismatic girlsinger, that somehow, when experienced live, always touch my soul. Whatever dumb choices they make, when you see them live, you just break at the anckles. (Dutch expression. Eh.. Mine anyway).

BOOM! With millions of fans it's unlikely any of us will get everything we want. I wanted more from Tusk this year, and I did get more, but not the songs I wanted most. But they were so good, it didn't matter in the least! I was joking with some friends that I didn't even notice until three songs in, that Lindsey wasn't wearing a different color shirt (like I wanted), because I was so immediately taken by the music, and the show, and just being there with awesome friends...at Fleetwood f'ing Mac!!!!

[GarboSpeaks!]

I like Abbi's post! I have similar story-but have been into them heavy duty since 82. For me, first show in 87-Tango, then SN/FM/LB everytime ever since! It wasn't until 2003 that I started REALLY seeing similarities at shows. I'd go see Stevie here and there for a 2 night stint and get that it would virtually be the same show, but w/ the SYW tour-I realized down to the talk between songs...it was the same thing over and over. Thing is OMFG, I was able to see FM, not once, twice but over a dozen times. Then the luxery/ability to see SN several times on one tour. Even as it was dawning on me that I am going to see the SAME thing night after night, city after city, for me, it's always been about the experience, friends made, and memories.
I too wish there would be some varience, and kinda kick myself in the ass when I go tour to tour knowing what I'm going to get. BUT I KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO GET, and if I didn't want that "menu" I wouldn't pay the money. I am blessed at opportunities to see Stevie, Lindsey, or FM. Yea, often times at ridiculous financial cost (ticket, travel, hotel), but I make that choice. (And yea, I get it...if we all got together and went on strike, maybe they woudn't come out w/ same stuff due to patrons like me...good luck with that )
Anyway, same w/ the board negativity-don't wanna hear people piss and moan, skip to next topic. It's all how we define our love for the band. Not a one of us can be completely happy, but when seeing them live, or constantly shelling out for the "new" Rumours, it kind of is what it is.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Wait! Whose hotel was Lindsey in???

Michele

Oh gosh. I recall some discussion - I think it must have been around the time of the SYW tour, and there were people who swear they saw Lindsey going to the hotel Stevie was in instead of the hotel he was supposedly staying in, or some such shipper nonsense. There was much drama and speculation and moral preaching about what Lindsey was doing, he's a role model, blah blah blah and I could swear there were Ledgie witnesses who saw him picking up a woman in a hotel bar when he was already married to Kristin. It was so long ago, I really don't remember the details, but it was heavily discussed. I want to say Strand would remember, but it was long before I even signed on here, back when I used to post only on BN.net, while lurking here.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by nicolasjz

Completely agree with everything you said. Sometimes I almost feel like FM should just disband and Lindsey and Stevie should carry on with their solo ventures, which still have actual artistic value.

Too bad that didn't happen in '81.

We most likely would've had a consistently working Fleetwood Mac ever since. ANNNNND, the occasional Nicks & Buckingham albums, too.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Fleetwood Mac, as a band, or as individuals, do not owe us anything. They are artists, and yes, they are a business as well. If they want to go out on the road and tour behind a 105 minute version of 'When I See You Again' (complete with never before heard intonations of 'Whasamadda Baby?') that is their choice.

I am a fan of Fleetwood Mac. I do not owe them anything either. I buy the music I want to, I go to the tours I want to see. It is a symbiotic relationship. I give them money when they make me happy. The great thing is that I will always have their music to cheer me up, console me, drive me, and keep me company on days I am lonely, even when they aren't putting out new music.

If you are not happy with the current direction of the band, the set list, or whatever, that's fine. Don't spend the money on it.

I realize places like this are great for venting frustration and what not in an anonymous fashion, but there is no reason to degenerate anyone, and that's what your Open Letter is, or at least that's how it reads. By all means, say that you are unhappy, but have some respect for the band, and some for yourself, for that matter.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Oh gosh. I recall some discussion - I think it must have been around the time of the SYW tour, and there were people who swear they saw Lindsey going to the hotel Stevie was in instead of the hotel he was supposedly staying in, or some such shipper nonsense. There was much drama and speculation and moral preaching about what Lindsey was doing, he's a role model, blah blah blah and I could swear there were Ledgie witnesses who saw him picking up a woman in a hotel bar when he was already married to Kristin. It was so long ago, I really don't remember the details, but it was heavily discussed. I want to say Strand would remember, but it was long before I even signed on here, back when I used to post only on BN.net, while lurking here.

Ha. Yes I know there is always nonsense like that swirling during a tour and I was just teasing with you. In truth, IDWTK. Michele

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I think it's funny that, over the years, we've discussed so many aspects of the band on this board, with nearly gleeful abandon. Drug use, affairs, and infidelity. We've talked about how much we hate Stevie's shoes or her dress. How ridiculous Lindsey can be in interviews with his talk of 'cycles'. How much of a moocher Mick is. We've talked about how certain albums or songs are terrible, we've criticized lyrics, shamed them for not recording the demos we like, or for changing a song we liked into something we don't. We talk sh*t about how Judy Wong was treated, about Lindsey being an abusive jerk, about Stevie being a clueless narcissistic primadona. About Stevie putting cocaine in her butt, or having abortions. We've talked about who was screwing around with who and what a good or bad person they are because so-and-so was married. We routinely play games where we vote away songs we don't like. We've discussed songs that we wish had never been! Producers have been trashed - we've even said some admittedly terrible things about members of Stevie's family and Lindsey's wife.

But a tour setlist is off the table? A tour setlist is *too much*. Talking about the lack of an album or releasing new music? Over. The. Line. Not wanting to fork out money to see, essentially, the same tour as before, and before that - that is the final straw? That's SO NEGATIVE that it's enough to bring into question just how much of a fan one really is? Trashing Mick for greed, shaming Stevie for her footwear, publicly dicussing whose hotel room Lindsey was in - these are all ok, but the tour is off limits. Whatever.

This makes it sound like everybody is always perfectly cool with us talking about all those controversial topics that you list in the first paragraph above. However, back when I posted here and on BN.net regularly from about 2001-2005, I remember there being just as much - if not MORE - drama and outrage in discussions on some of those topics than there is about the setlist/new music in these few threads! Methinks you're wearing some rose-colored glasses looking back on those old days, my friend, if you think "over the years" only these few tour threads have garnered such reactions.

And the closest thing I remember to a "Lindsey doing something naughty" moment back then was our discussion about Lindsey and a Cheetah Girl at the Four Seasons in Atlanta 2003.

[Macfanforever]

Its very simple. Don't go to the concerts.

I agree with all of you on the stale setlist and no new tunes up to now.

I'll still go even if they play Dreams and Landslide for 2 hour in 20 different versions.LOL I know that will be boring for some of you but I would love to hear them sing the tune in different styles.

I would love to hear FM tunes in Bluegrass or countrified. LOL

I'm getting older .They are getting older.I want to continue to go as much as possible.

I've been on the FM bandwagon since the 1980's.I enjoyed every tour.

[TerraRhiannon]

My open letter to the Mac:

Dear Fleetwood Mac,

You are my heart & soul. Since I was 5 I've been rocking out to your album "The Dance." Your music has touched me in ways nothing else has, ever. Long before I expanded my Fleetwood Mac catalogue, "The Dance'' was there for me. My lullaby.

I am so very thrilled you are doing this tour. This is the first time in my life I will be able to see you. #CanadaProbz. Stevie, you look smoking hot. Lindsey, you seem to be on fire. I don't need new music - I don't need a fancy tour name - I could listen to your voices and art all day and it could even be stand up comedy, for all I care.

When I first started listening to Fleetwood Mac, I thought you were a much bigger band than you are. I heard the marching band in "Don't Stop," and "Tusk," and believed all those players were FLEETWOOD MAC as well. I didn't realize that you were much smaller in the amount of members, but you'd be much larger in importance and significance of my life.

Thank you for doing what you do, tour after tour, for your fans. I'm elated I'm finally going to be able to see you, in only 7 days!

Lame.. this is really how I feel though!

[MacShadowsBall]

After reading every post on this thread(which took a while!), I'm now too tired to respond. So I'll just quote two others!

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Fleetwood Mac, as a band, or as individuals, do not owe us anything. They are artists, and yes, they are a business as well. If they want to go out on the road and tour behind a 105 minute version of 'When I See You Again' (complete with never before heard intonations of 'Whasamadda Baby?') that is their choice.

I am a fan of Fleetwood Mac. I do not owe them anything either. I buy the music I want to, I go to the tours I want to see. It is a symbiotic relationship. I give them money when they make me happy. The great thing is that I will always have their music to cheer me up, console me, drive me, and keep me company on days I am lonely, even when they aren't putting out new music.

If you are not happy with the current direction of the band, the set list, or whatever, that's fine. Don't spend the money on it.

I realize places like this are great for venting frustration and what not in an anonymous fashion, but there is no reason to degenerate anyone, and that's what your Open Letter is, or at least that's how it reads. By all means, say that you are unhappy, but have some respect for the band, and some for yourself, for that matter.

Originally Posted by TerraRhiannon

My open letter to the Mac:

Dear Fleetwood Mac,

You are my heart & soul. Since I was 5 I've been rocking out to your album "The Dance." Your music has touched me in ways nothing else has, ever. Long before I expanded my Fleetwood Mac catalogue, "The Dance'' was there for me. My lullaby.

I am so very thrilled you are doing this tour. This is the first time in my life I will be able to see you. #CanadaProbz. Stevie, you look smoking hot. Lindsey, you seem to be on fire. I don't need new music - I don't need a fancy tour name - I could listen to your voices and art all day and it could even be stand up comedy, for all I care.

When I first started listening to Fleetwood Mac, I thought you were a much bigger band than you are. I heard the marching band in "Don't Stop," and "Tusk," and believed all those players were FLEETWOOD MAC as well. I didn't realize that you were much smaller in the amount of members, but you'd be much larger in importance and significance of my life.

Thank you for doing what you do, tour after tour, for your fans. I'm elated I'm finally going to be able to see you, in only 7 days!

Lame.. this is really how I feel though!

[TerraRhiannon]

Originally Posted by MacShadowsBall

After reading every post on this thread(which took a while!), I'm now too tired to respond. So I'll just quote two others!

I had so much to say after reading all this, I got physically and mentally exhausted as well. So I just focused on my own feelings and mustered the strength to write one. :P

[Blueletter18]

Originally Posted by WatchChain

*No New Album
*No OFFICIAL NAME for the "Tour"
*A stage show and set list that (with the exception of the remarkable "Sisters" and two new songs) has been REHASHED for the past 20 years

Call me crazy, but I'm a bit UNDERWHELMED by the whole "effort" (or lack thereof). I have WORSHIPPED Fleetwood Mac since 1977. I have bought EVERYTHING they've ever done and attended EVERY TOUR (and ALL solo member tours, including Chris McVie's only solo tour in 1984). But, I'm on the verge of losing interest.

Artists like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Tom Petty have made some of the best music of their careers AFTER the age of 50 or 60. NOTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC: You can still save this sinking vessel. Get Christine McVie to give up gardening and come back ONE MORE TIME. Hire an amazing producer like Rick Rubin, Ethan Johns, Mitchell Fromme or T-Bone Burnett and get back into the studio to make the greatest ART of your life (like you once did with "RUMOURS" and "TUSK, two of the greatest masterpieces in music history). Who gives a crap about TOP 40 hits or record sales? It's not going to happen anyway. Do you think Dylan and Springsteen are sitting around worrying about getting a TOP 40 RADIO HIT in 2013's market? Then, go out on the road with a revamped show (including the new music) and become ARTISTS again. You might even get critical acclaim and win a GRAMMY.......(RESPECT???)

BUT, I guess you're too busy trying to fill corporate rock arenas with the same tired casual fans and the same set list you've been playing for years. I did enjoy "SAY YOU WILL". While not perfect, it was a FINE EFFORT and you at least tried something different. Keep moving in that direction and I'll be the first to jump on board. For the first time in 35 years, I am considering NOT attending a Fleetwood Mac Tour. Why would I shell out 300 dollars plus parking and 15 dollar drinks to see the same show that I've been watching for years just to keep Mick from going broke for the 10th time. It seems to me that you're not really concerned with exploring the artistic future of this band, but rather just biding time to fill your retirement accounts. If not with the band, let Stevie and Lindsey go back to solo projects where THEY DO try to make some new and interesting art (SEEDS WE SOW & IN YOUR DREAMS). You are considered Rock N Roll Royalty by many and you CAN do whatever the hell you want. In the twilight of your career, why not try to be GREAT again? You are all truly gifted artists, just put it down on paper.

I don't know if this was mentioned already--I apologize if it was-- but the artists mentioned in bold are all essentially solo artists with good backing bands. Dylan, Springsteen, and Petty (well, and Cash) are the unquestionable lead singers and front men of their respective bands. Without the front men, I doubt the bands would make a killing on their own merits. Whereas Fleetwood Mac, as we are all well aware of, has three songwriters who can easily stand on their own, which makes it that much easier for any of them to leave when they are the least bit frustrated with the group dynamic. With groups, as in any group projects (work, school, etc.), more time is needed to get important work done, especially when each individual is essentially represented by a different manager hoping to keep that individual's best interests in mind, both aside from the band and as part of the band (but only when sales are good for the band and worse for the individual). Given the circumstances, I don't know if I could ask for more aside from a few setlist changes. On the other hand, The Eagles: 7 studio albums (none in the '80s or '90s); The Mamas & the Papas: 5; The Velvet Underground: 5..try to think of some other bands with 2+ singer-songwriters that lasted while producing albums prolifically.

[RockawayBlind]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Fleetwood Mac, as a band, or as individuals, do not owe us anything.

They most certainly do. Where would they be then?

[Macfanforever]

I remember somebody posted a open letter in the Stevie forum awhile back .I cant recall who the username was but some of the info was shocking as I read it. And it was directed to her PR people.

[RockawayBlind]

Being new to the board, I am surprised at some reactions here. There seems to be a vibe that if you don't go see the shows, you should just shut up. I haven't seen a show and don't plan to. I can fire up my DVD player and watch practically the same show with "Live in Boston." And in the process I save a couple hundred bucks and avoid the crowds.

I have been careful, however, not comment directly on the shows because I haven't seen one, but I stand by my comments that FM is a musical collaboration that can't collaborate and that the band has grown stale. I also stand by comments I have made about the new songs. Granted, I may love them when I hear a studio recording, but what I have heard from the live recordings has been less than impressive. Sure, I wasn't there, but I can comment on what I've seen and heard on the Web, can't I? Or is that not valid?