Mt. Smart Stadium, 11/21/2015

[michelej1]

New Zealand Herald 5:00 AM Saturday Nov 21, 2015

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11548874

Russell Blackstock Russell Blackstock is a senior reporter at the Herald on Sunday.


Music nut James Pearson is packing an overnight bag for a double dose of live rock this weekend.

The 27-year-old is pulling out all the stops to be at Sir Elton John's mega-gig in Wellington today and Fleetwood Mac's second show at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow.

Pearson, from Grey Lynn, will fly with a friend to Sir Elton's concert for 30,000 people at the Westpac Stadium. He will then jet back tomorrow morning in time to see supergroup Fleetwood Mac in action.

"I might seem a bit young to be following these classic artists but I grew up with their music," he said. "It is going to be hectic but I can't wait to see them both within the space of 24 hours."

Pearson, a lawyer at ASB bank, reckons the two shows could cost him up to $1000, after covering tickets, flights and spending money.

He saw Fleetwood Mac when they last played in New Zealand - at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth in 2009 - but has never seen Sir Elton live before.

"I am a big fan of Stevie Nicks, and Fleetwood Mac were great the last time they were here. But now Christine McVie is back in the lineup, the Mt Smart show will be something special.

"My mum and dad saw the band in London earlier in the year and said they are better than ever.

down this way, so I didn't want to miss him."

Fleetwood Mac will wow close to 100,000 fans in New Zealand after rocking Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Wednesday followed by the two Mt Smart gigs.

Today's Auckland show is sold out but a limited number of tickets are still available for tomorrow.

Fleetwood Mac founding member Mick Fleetwood has said the concerts will not be the band's last Downunder.