Greensboro rocked my world!!!

[Merf]

This is a LONG post. I am prolific. Bear with me and I hope you enjoy.


This was without a doubt the most amazing night of my life.

I had originally gotten 9th row for this show, then lucked out a few days ago and got a 2nd row center. I was so happy with that. I met up with a lady named Stephanie who was going to buy my 9th row ticket (she had gotten screwed through presales, of course). She was such a cool lady, we hit it off instantly. Her niece (also named Steph) was there with us too. We met up about 4:30 PM at the Four Seasons mall there, less than 5 minutes from the arena. We got to the arena around 5:15 and went inside about 5:45. I picked up my 2nd row at will call. They weren't tearing anyone's tickets yet but they did let us go in so we could buy merchandise. I bought a tourbook and a shirt and Stephanie bought a tourbook. She then decided "on a whim" to go over to the box office just to *see* if they had any front rows left. The lady pulled one for her and one for myself. I bought it, I hesitated maybe like 5 seconds before I did. I had to dump the other ticket to a scalper quickly, unfortunately, but I didn't care-- I WAS SITTING FRONT ROW.

So we get down there and I meet some awesome people (Including Bellablue-- Hi Janine & Tara!) I managed to get my camera in there (hidden in my shirt) without getting my bag looked at once. I found that a little discouraging that they weren't at least checking for weapons. ??? The crickets start and I run like a fool to the stage (others have taught me well) I planted myself right in between Lindsey and Stevie's mics and everyone else in the middle and on the right side followed. About 5 minutes later, Mick and John came out and then Lindsey and Stevie came out. So at this time my mind is very foggy because I cannot BELIEVE I am this close to Fleetwood Mac. Mick's drums are right in front of my face and I can see John over a bigger speaker on the edge of the stage, but I could not see Brett or Carlos or Neale very well at all. I had a perfect view of Sharon (beautiful as always) and Jana (who is super cute and was wearing a very pretty outfit). I was leaning up against the speakers on the front of the stage. Pictures do not even do Lindsey justice. He is absolutely gorgeous. I cannot get over how blue his eyes are. Stevie looks absolutely radiant-- her waist is so freaking tiny and her clothes are gorgeous, her skin and hair and nails are gorgeous-- I could go on for days, but at this point in the concert I am fulling enjoying the music. Overall, no set changes, nothing crazy/different in Greensboro than from Atlanta, except for "Tusk," which I will get to. The crowd was AWESOME. I was so proud. North Carolina, come on and raise up! *sniff* They sat down during Come and Say Goodbye, but that was to be expected.

I'm jumping around a lot. Please bear with me.

They mouth each others' lyrics a lot, I noticed. Stevie smiled at me during "Never Going Back Again" cause I was counting out with my fingers. That was SO awesome. Lindsey gave me that "look" he gives all the ladies several times-- but more on that later. Janine had a Buckingham Nicks album for him to sign so she laid it in front of him on top of the speaker. He looked at it and laughed, said something like "you have that?" He eventually signed it for her at the end, it was the only thing I saw him sign. Stevie shook several people's hands at her end, Lindsey shook several people's hands way down on his end. Stevie took some flowers from a little girl (couldn't have been more than 8 years old) who was holding a sign that said "My name is Rhiannon." Stevie smiled and waved at her and gave a "thumbs up" sign to Rhiannon's mom.

Lindsey just loves giving those speeches before his songs. They were the same ones we've been hearing over and over, nothing new. But of course I didn't mind, I was drooling anyway. Maybe it was because people around me were singing most of the words, but I noticed that during "Peacekeeper" and "Say You Will" a LOT more people are singing all the words than I remember. Not as loud as "Gold Dust Woman" or "Landslide" mind you but still louder than I remember from Greenville. I also heard many singing along to "Goodbye Baby."

"Say You Will" was one of the highlights of the evening for me. Not only do I love this song (not tired of it yet) but Stevie is so freaking adorable during it with her chorus dance. Many were doing it with her. She and Lindsey's dance they do in the middle is nice. They are in the middle of the stage, directly in front of me. They get right up in each other's faces, like an inch away. She's swaying back and forth, smiling slyly and "la la"- ing to the tune of his guitar. He is nodding his head, smiling, and making kissy faces at her. I wish I had taken a picture of that but I think because it was happening right in front of me, I was too dumbfounded to do anything but just watch! Too freaking cute.

"Rhiannon" I don't care how many times I've heard this song, when you are right in front of her and watching her get into it (with her gorgeous little top and long flowy sleeves) YOU are mesmerized as well. I was sucked in. She is just amazing, what else can ya say? She is wearing her gold crescent moon necklace again, like the old days. I didn't notice any other jewelry on her besides a watch (which I always found odd, why she needed a watch on stage).

"Come" now I've said a million times I didn't really like this song till I saw it live. Then I saw him play it three feet away from me while pointing at me and giving us "looks." Now it's like my fave song ever! He pointed to people on either side of his mic stand, then came towards center and planted himself right in front of me (I could have touched his feet if the damn speaker hadn't been in my way) and rocked out on his solo for what seemed like forever. It was amazing, watching him play up close like that. The man is a guitar god! But you all know that. That is a moment I will never forget!

When they moved Lindsey's mic back and forth to the middle of the stage (for the acoustic set and for Goodbye Baby at the end) his mic was always right in front of me. It's quite an awe-inspiring experience to look straight up in front of you and see Lindsey Buckingham smiling down at you while you sing along with him. Freaking wow is all I can say about that. "Big Love" was hot, another one I got to see up close. He stretched his arms over his head and stretched his fingers out and shook around a little bit before he started playing "Big Love." We were like "shake it off, Lindsey, shake it off!" And he smiled at us and shook his arms some more. "Landslide" was nice of course. She thanked us for always being there and supporting them, then she looked over at him and mouthed "you too" and he bowed a little and smiled to her. Then she dedicated it to her Daddy who as many of you know is with them for like the next week. This was really special since she dedicated it to him at the Dance special. "This is for you, Daddy." The pause seemed longer, they held hands then hugged and he kissed her forehead as usual. They look at each other and kind of nod after a few moments when they decide it's time to move on to the next one. I called Marissa during this song. She was happy

[Merf]

"Say Goodbye" I heard several people screaming at Stevie but she did not take her eyes off him while he sang. Another one where his mic was right in front of me. This is such a gentle, quiet song, and the harmony vocals are so soft you have to almost strain to hear them. At the end he did a little bow to her. Janine said she thought Stevie was crying, but I really couldn't tell.

"Beautiful Child" this was the only song I cried a little. I was proud of myself for not bawling like an idiot. This song is gorgeous, what else can you say about it-- perfect. Ad lib: "I still love you-- I still wish you were mine"

"Gold Dust Woman" we got some screaming, we got some twirling, we got some posing, it was fantabulous.

"I'm So Afraid" Lindsey rocked the hell out of this song, per usual, right in front of us. He came over to the edge of the stage, more to the left of me this time so others could get some Lindsey time He broke a couple of strings and then did his maniacal beating of the guitar and putting it over his head like he did at the end of "Come." Okay honey, you killed it, it's dead now.

"Silver Springs" she killed this song once again. She was getting into it, it was an amazing thing to see up close. She was screaming at the end, "still I am a fool!" Over and over instead of her adlibbing "give me just a chance" and "never get away" He was screaming his part at her too. Very intense performances from both. Whew.

"Stand Back" was the hottest I've ever seen her perform it. We got high kicks, we got mic grabbing, we got spinning, we got shawl swooshing, we got Lindsey doing his guitar-humping/ tribal monkey dance over on the side! What more could you ask for? This song always brings the house down. And Lindsey mouths all the words. We mouthed "it's all right it's all right" to each other a couple of times. It was cute. I called Marissa during this one too. She said she could hear everyone around my phone screaming

"Tusk" this was so funny. I had seen it in Greenville but it is like a different performance now. Can I tell you how much I love Lindsey's maniacal chuckles during this like "Mwhahahahahahaha..." Like he's up to no good. He goes after John and "tusks" him like he usually does. John always looks at him like he is the craziest person ever. He then unplugs his guitar and deliberately sets it down to go after Stevie. She is over at the left corner of the stage so he puts up his fists again like they are going to box and they start bouncing around in a circle like kangaroos. Then they grab hold of each other (I thought they were just going to hug) but they started slow dancing in a circle. He put his face in her neck and she was laughing. He went back for more. It was hilarious. He then gets back over to the middle of the stage and the song's not over and he is without guitar so he bounces a bit in place until they end it.

"Go Your Own Way" and "World Turning" were awesome as usual. I could have done without the Mick spittage though. He was saying some crazy stuff that I couldn't make out! It was cute watching Lindsey at the end of the stage. He saw me looking at him and smiled a couple of times. He was mostly just watching us watching Mick act all crazy. Stevie then comes to the side of the stage and watches Mick and Lindsey play together for a bit before it's time to finish the song. During band intros I noticed Lindsey sort of looks down at his feet with this half smile when the other band members' names are getting screamed by Mick. Like he's just listening to all of our screaming and yelling or something.

"Don't Stop" the same as always. More backdancing a la' Atlanta, and posing in front of Mick's drums. After Goodbye Baby, they did their bows and Stevie, John, and Lindsey were moving their feet side to side, then John stopped and the other two kept on doing it as they were looking down at their feet. This was such an amazing concert. I feel so blessed to have sat front row. I will never forget it! I can't wait to see them in K-Vegas tomorrow!!! Sarah! Grito!

[tgee]

My Greensboro review is on my site. I'm sorry I don't have time to post it here. I'm at a library and only have 10 minutes! LOL. Wasn't it a great show Merf? I'm glad you got your front row experience!

[strandinthewind]

AAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so jealous. I would have loved to have been there when you "sudeenly" moved up to the front row!!!!!!!!!!!! Mars must be smiling on you too!!!!!!

I also am very glad to hear the energy level is sustaining!!!!!!!

[Livia]

Can I tell you how much I love Lindsey's maniacal chuckles during this like "Mwhahahahahahaha..." Like he's up to no good.

That's my FAVORITE part of Tusk, besides the "tusking" with John and Stevie.What a great review, Merf!

So, Jana is holding her own, huh? We don't need to kidnap her and take turns filling in for Mindy? LOL

[DWIG]

So great to read your feelings and emotions about the show. I am going to see them here in the UK 6 times and i am so excited. I have loved the band what seems like my whole life (i am now 41) and they have featured in my life in one way or another every day since then!
Can't wait to see them, and your review made me even more excited and nervous!!!!

Dave UK

[Patti]

Great review, Merf! I'm happy you had such a fabulous time...it just doesn't get any better than front row, does it?

Patti

[Tango]

I've been reading all the reviews here and the ones submitted to The Penguin in the formal review section. This one is a keeper. Send it in! (Looks like you can send it in in parts if you run out of space)

[louielouie2000]

Greensboro was a lot of fun, wasn't it? I ended up getting a 12th row seat kind of last minute. It was a great show, but not as high energy as Greenville was. You could tell they were all getting a little road worn. Stand Back did kick total @ss though... I was just blown away by it's potency! Did any of you guys manage to see them get into their limos on the way out?

[bellablue21]

Hey Merf great review! I had such a blast last night that I needed someone to pich me in the morning to make sure last night was for real. I have my fingers crossed that someone taped it so I can see when Lindsey was talking to me.

Janine

[WelshWitchPMD]

WOW sounds like you had a blast!! Good for you!!

[golden braid]

Great review! Even though I've already seen them five times I can hardly wait to see them again.

[Cammie]

Merf!
THANKS for a most wonderful Review!
Your descriptions are priceless and we felt
like we were right there in the front row too!
Your details about the songs and their funny
antics are what make you a good reporter!

We also THANK all the others who took time to
post reviews of other shows!!! Luv,Cammie

[Merf]

Originally posted by bellablue21
Hey Merf great review! I had such a blast last night that I needed someone to pich me in the morning to make sure last night was for real. I have my fingers crossed that someone taped it so I can see when Lindsey was talking to me.

Janine

I did manage to get a picture of him signing your BN album, hopefully it will come out! If it does I will definitely send you a copy. I'm still in disbelief that I actually got up there-- it was like a dream come true (as corny as that sounds I'm serious!)

Livia-- even though Jana is doing just fine, we could still kidnap her and fill her shoes for a while No harm done!

Seriously guys, I'm ruined for every other show after this one, that is, unless I have front row again. I'm such a spoiled little brat.

Tango-- I will send it in! Thanks !

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing!

Pip