Open Letter to The Mac

[AncientQueen]

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

I'm sorry for your loss.

Thank you!

[elle]

Originally Posted by AncientQueen

I'm usually complaining, too, but it does not matter really after all. When I see them in concert, I'm exited, I love everything they play, find each of them endlessly interesting to watch, love how they interact and basically worship the ground they walk on.

2003 was a bad year for me, but the FM concert, when I saw them again after 13 years made it so much better.

Today was my fathers funeral and I just know that in retrospect they will make the mess that is my 2013 by now better again.

So, if it is the same old setlist - then play on.

so sorry to hear.

and what you wrote is more-less exactly how i feel. i was really disappointed in Columbus when i learned what the setlist was. but then i heard Sad Angel... and how good Not That Funny sounded... and was terribly disappointed by barely any guitar on SOTM ... and was exhilarated by the performances with all the jumbo-tron backgrounds and the way they used those. and how good they still sound, and how happy that they are doing this they all seem, even though i really think they should change it up a bit more - especially Lindsey, should jazz up some of his guitar on SOTM and GDW for example. he looks bored out of his mind on those 2 songs... although i guess the man needs a bit of a break sometime during the show too.

[gssmith]

I agree with most of what is said, but atleast they are still touring and sounding great. Iam only 25 and missed out on thier hey day. I will continue to see them and Stevie every time they tour and go out of my way for it. They really do have to play their hits and they do have a lot of hits! Thats why they still fill concerst. some of my friends might not know who does the songs, but they know them by heart.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Originally Posted by elle

actually no. you can tell them that in person (if you have $400 and are willing to shell out for Mick seats, of course ). and Lindsey communicates with audience at their shows. he has by now at least somewhat of an idea what i think, i can tell you that (although he probably thinks i'll never be satisfied anyway). not that they care, they are making their millions, with or without you or me paying for the tickets. there are plenty of people who want to hear legendary Fleetwood Mac.

Isn't paying for Mick's Meet and Greet, or talking to Lindsey at a concert 'Voting With Your Dollar?' You have to pay for that kind of access, even if it is front row seast at a show.

[TrueFaith77]

I, personally, chose not to attend this tour because they had not (and still have not) released any new music, much less a new album. I guess that is just a quality that makes me feel invested in an artist.

I have not doubt that I missed a great show that I would have treasured. But I don't regret it at all.

-John

[moon]

The only reason for what I could write a letter to the Mac, is just to know why they never came at least once to South America.
What's the matter with us? Here's some very loyal fans!

A new album could be great, but I read your comments about what happened with the Dance tour, the Say You Will tour and Unleashed. With new songs only is enough? I really don't know...

And, "The No-Name Tour" sounds very original, really!

[elle]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I love Fleetwood Mac's music, and I would love for them to do a new album, and to tour behind it with a totally revamped setlist. However, if they choose not to, I do not feel betrayed by them. I just listen to the music I have and cherish the tours I went to. The only way to tell the band how I feel in a constructive way is to 'Vote With My Dollar.' I chose to sit this tour out because I just couldn't see paying the price they were asking for tickets.

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

You have to pay for that kind of access, even if it is front row seast at a show.

well, in my experience you can pay face value for 10th or 20th row seat, and run really fast as the show is starting, to make it to the stage.

i'm merely pointing out some holes in your statement that "the only way" to convey your message to the band is to not go to their shows. they will not notice whether you or i or other 100-200 huge fans are at their shows, since there are plenty of people who will go and pay, and are not even casual fans. it's pretty easy to see this during their shows, and which songs get the most aroused response. so if we are talking about voting with dollars, they will keep on touring greatest hits, since that's what gives them the biggest bang for their buck.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

I, personally, chose not to attend this tour because they had not (and still have not) released any new music, much less a new album. I guess that is just a quality that makes me feel invested in an artist.

I have not doubt that I missed a great show that I would have treasured. But I don't regret it at all.

-John

That's really right where I am at as well, and even then, the Denver show is still selling tickets so I could, presumably, change my mind, but probably won't. I know from past shows that this one will be great, I know I'd have fun, but I'd rather spend that concert money on another act that will be more memorable or more entertaining.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I know from past shows that this one will be great, I know I'd have fun, but I'd rather spend that concert money on another act that will be more memorable or more entertaining.

I suppose I'm not understanding the thought process here. You know it will be great and you know you will have fun. Is it the price? Are you standing on principle? Do you think anyone will notice that you are boycotting the tour because of your convictions? Why do you deprive yourself of something that you may later regret not partaking?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I suppose I'm not understanding the thought process here. You know it will be great and you know you will have fun. Is it the price? Are you standing on principle? Do you think anyone will notice that you are boycotting the tour because of your convictions? Why do you deprive yourself of something that you may later regret not partaking?

I know it will be great, and I know I'd have fun. But it's not an exclusive experience - it's one I've had before, so it's not new or different enough *to me* to make it worth the time or expense. The price...doesn't really bother me...I'm impulsive with money, and don't believe it has any value until it's used...so standing on principle might be a fitting description for how I feel about skipping the tour. I don't feel I'm boycotting the tour, but rather just not interested enough to actually be there in person - and no one needs to notice because it's only about me and not them. I'm just not the type to regret missing out on something, especially if it was my choice to do so. As a result, I don't feel that I'm depriving myself of anything.

Even if this is the last Fleetwood Mac tour, I'm ok with missing it. I feel like I've seen it already.

On the flip side, if the setlist had at least 9-12 songs that were never-before-performed material - either new or old - I'd feel very differently. That would be a show I could not miss. That would be a show I'd forever regret not going to.

[StandbackStevie]

I am mixed on going its still a maybe it really the price factor on my part cause the show is expensive and is this there last tour together too or is there another tour coming in a few more years I know they are really numbered and just don't know if it's going to be there last.I have to say I thought the unleashed tour 2009 was going to be there last. tickets are pricey at mohegan sun $150 and $175 includes fee's and everything. Most of the arena is $175
so I am like a see saw on this tour I want to go and then change my mind cause of the cost just wish there was like a cheaper seat.The economy is not great or getting an better either.

[PoetofRhiannon]

Has anyone who is going to a Mick M&G considered talking about The Ledge and the legions of fans that actually want new material?


And does anyone think that would do any good?

I'm going to a M&G in May, and I am definitely going to say how I want new music. And my friends who are my age (early 20's) want new music. And that there are lots of other people who will buy new music.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by dontlookdown

I don't mind the no name tour with no album.
The Grateful Dead did that a lot - as have the Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan.
These guys just want to play (and I can promise you none of them are doing it for the money).

I assume your last sentence was in reference to The Dead, The Heartbreakers, and Dylan because the members of Fleetwood Mac are pretty damn mercenary when it comes to performing. If big money were not in the equation the band would not tour. As a band. This doesn't apply to some of the solo activity and side projects.

Nostalgia can be great, and I think it's cool FM have introduced their (same old) music to younger fans. But 1997-98 should have marked a rebirth of the band not only as a touring entity but as recording artists who would make new, relevant music. One album since then is not cool. They're all getting old but are still pretty resilient, so I'd beg them to please make one more meaty album WITH Christine. It's the obvious thing to do.

Will they? Or will they continue to rerelease Rumours and the farts that were caught on the master tapes?

[RockawayBlind]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

First of all, comparing fans to battered wives is insensitive and crass.

Perhaps, but I would just call it a simile.

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Second of all, they don't 'owe' us anything, and that mentality reads like the fans 'own' the band. It's a little 'Misery' to say the least.

Perhaps you are taking the "owe us" comment the wrong way. Literally, they owe their success to the fans. Is that not the case? Also, I am not sure what you mean by "misery" in this context.

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Artists of any medium need only to create, and they do that when they want to. We as a public have the right to patronize artists we choose to.

Ah... but we agree, after all. Artists need to create. When that need goes away, can they truly be called artists anymore? Can someone be called an artist who dangles a carrot to the fans and says, "You have to love this one song if you want us to give you more new music?" An artist creates for the sake of creating, not as some sort of emotional blackmail with the fans. Folks have suggested here that the current relationship between the band with its stale, washed-up offering comes down to a commercial transaction with the fans. If that's the case, they are only business people, are they not?

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by RockawayBlind

Perhaps you are taking the "owe us" comment the wrong way. Literally, they owe their success to the fans. Is that not the case? Also, I am not sure what you mean by "misery" in this context.

Kathy Bates. James Caan. Axe.

Michele