Houston, Texas - Toyota Center - June 5, 2013

[michelej1]

Fleetwood Mac Returns/Thinking about tomorrow: Fleetwood Mac revives great memories — and creates new ones

By Clifford Pugh 6.6.13 Culture Map Houston

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/e...ates-new-ones/

he lines to get into the Toyota Center Wednesday night for the Fleetwood Mac concert were unusually long and slow as security guards searched handbags for cameras and directed ticket holders inside to check the confiscated items at the counter. At a time when everyone has cell phones that can shoot photos, it seemed like a particularly clumsy directive.

"They're old people," a security guard explained, referring to the iconic band of the late 1970s as she directed my friend inside. "They don't want (pictures of themselves) out."

Indeed the band's longtime members, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, are all north of 60 and looked a little long in the tooth as they burst onstage even before a lot of the audience had made it to their seats. But age didn't seem to matter as the band performed like new kids on the block in a nearly three-hour show that covered most of their greatest hits along with some poignant tunes that recalled as much of our wistful past as theirs.

The band opened with several of their most popular hits, "Second Hand News," a perfect sing-along song, followed by somewhat sluggish versions of "The Chain" and "Dreams."After Buckingham introduced a song, "Sad Angel," from the band's new EP, the band returned to another classic, "Rhiannon," which showcases Nicks' voice but in a lower key, which, sadly to this ear, lacked the warmth and glow of her earlier work.

Buckingham then took center stage with a couple of songs from the band's experimental 1979 album, Tusk, the punk-tinged "Not That Funny" and the album's title tune, which delighted hardcore Fleetwood Mac fans among the sellout crowd.

With unparalleled guitar riffs and a voice that has grown stronger with age, Buckingham is certainly the heart of the band. But even with a diminished voice, Nicks remains the band's soul. And as the evening progressed, she dominated the stage, swathed in black, with blonde hair framing her face, a tambourine often on her arm and a whiskey-dipped voice that drew richer with each song.

She performed the little-known "Sisters of the Moon," also from the Tusk album, noting this song has not been done on a tour since 1981. She took control with a couple of other big hits, "Sara" and the hauntingly beautiful "Landslide," a duet with Buckingham, as the crowd sang along to the words,"I'm getting older, too."

Nicks dedicated the song to a Houston friend who had apparently fought off a debilitating illness since she was "teeny tiny." "You little Welsh witch, this is for you," Nicks said.

At this point, the concert was barely half over, but the band seemed to draw energy from the audience through a series of hits, including "Without You," in which Nicks' endearing yet rambling introduction was longer than the song, "Gold Dust Woman," "Gypsy" and "Stand Back." Every time she twirled, the audience roared.

By the time the band got to "Go Your Own Way," an electric duet between Nicks and Buckingham with undertones of their one-time romantic relationship — the chemistry surely remains — everyone in the audience was up and dancing like they didn't have to go to work today.

House lights were often raised so the band could make eye contact with the adoring crowd and even after two encores, including the infectious "Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)," Nicks, Buckingham and drummer Fleetwood didn't want to leave the stage. They lingered, each giving heartfelt thanks to the audience, as Fleetwood, who looks a bit like Santa Claus with a white beard and twinkle in his eye, encouraged everyone to "take care of yourself" and "be kind to one another."

Is the band as good as the first time I saw them in 1977 in Birmingham, Ala., soon after their monster album, Rumours, hit the top of the charts? I'd have to say no, because we were all younger then, and besides, to fans like me, Fleetwood Mac without Christine McVie really isn't Fleetwood Mac.

But the current band still left me with goosebumps as their songs unleashed a flood of fond memories — and they're still having a hell of a fun time doing it.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by michelej1

"They're old people," a security guard explained, referring to the iconic band of the late 1970s as she directed my friend inside. "They don't want (pictures of themselves) out."

Thanks for your input, Mr. Security Guard.

I've really never seen FM "burst" onto the stage. But it sounds like fun.

I know Mike was just discussing Stevie singing with Lindsey on the song, but is GYOW really an "eclectic duet" ?

Michele

[WatchChain]

During my 30 years of attending Fleetwood Mac concerts, I usually try to sit on the floor. Last night at the Toyota Center, I sat in section 124 for the first time. This is to the far right hand side of the stage. I actually enjoyed these seats BETTER than my previous floors seats because I had a better view.

If I went to the top and the far left of my section in the back, I could actually see PERFECTLY BEHIND the stage. I caught glimpses of Sharon Celani and Lori Perry chilling out and conversing with people backstage on the break while Lindsey was playing "So Afraid". Stevie's wardrobe tent sits behind the stage and you could see she and Lori hanging out there when they weren't on stage.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by WatchChain

During my 30 years of attending Fleetwood Mac concerts, I usually try to sit on the floor. Last night at the Toyota Center, I sat in section 124 for the first time. This is to the far right hand side of the stage. I actually enjoyed these seats BETTER than my previous floors seats because I had a better view.

Nice. I've often thought that some of the front side seats would be better than floor seats, due to people pushing, shoving, dancing, wearing top hats and everything else annoying under the sun on the floor.

The problem is, unless you know the venue extremely well, it's tough to look at a seating chart and know what you will get and what your field of vision is going to be. It's great that it worked well for you and now when you go to concerts at the Toyota Center in the future, you will already know. Maybe if I get to shows early I should try to see what the view is like in different areas of the venue and write it down for future reference.

Michele

[FMlex]

My Meet and Greet review is up on the Meet and Greet thread. Go check it out!

Taking a break, and will then write up my review of the actual show!

[michelej1]

[They are not in the touring game for a paycheck! Why do you peeps here keep saying otherwise?]

Houston Press Fleetwood Mac at Toyota Center, 6/5/2013
By Selena DieringerThu., Jun. 6 2013 at 10:00 AM

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/..._mac_and_t.php

Fleetwood Mac
Toyota Center
June 5, 2013

A few things occurred to me as a spectator at Wednesday Night's Fleetwood Mac show at Toyota Center:

•They are not in the touring game for a paycheck;

•This band has a ton of mutual respect for one another, and for good reason; and

•All of us could really take some good inspiration from this group, whether we are musicians or not.

In short, if you are a fan of Fleetwood Mac, see this band while you can. It will be worth every penny.

Watching Fleetwood Mac play, the first thing that is abundantly clear is that they really believe in their work and stand behind what they have produced, and with good reason. Their songs are timeless in a way that a new listener would have no idea if they were written in 1974 or next year, in 2014. The lyrics are so transcendent that any human who has ever been in any kind of interpersonal relationship (dare I say, all of us) can relate on some level. I especially loved watching kids who had come with their parents bang out every lyric to every song, even moreso than their elder chaperones.

The band opened their set with "Second Hand News," and joy filled the arena. They played a grouping of other classics ("The Chain," "Dreams," "Rhiannon") before hitting several songs from their esoteric album Tusk¸ when Lindsey Buckingham -- who shall now forever be known in my mind as one of the most underrated rock guitarists of the 21st century, but more on that later -- talked about how Tusk's artistry has only been further appreciated through the years.

These bandmates don't need to tour. They don't need the money or the fame. They want to tour and share their music, because they believe in it, and they admire one another.

This brings us to the band itself.

The entire show is chock-full of mutual admiration from all angles, and anyone in the crowd that knew anything about Fleetwood Mac's intense and sordid past could tell that this was genuine love. And as a spectator, it was clear to see why each member holds the others in such high regard.

John McVie, a founding member, is a talented bass player whom Mick Fleetwood (the other co-founder) refers to as "Our secret weapon, the backbone of the group." Mick himself is a ridiculous drummer; at 65 years old, his playing is the band's hard-hitting heartbeat. He is hilarious and giggly and quintessentially British, like a wild dog in the best way possible. His drum solo during "World Turning" felt like it could have literally turned the planet.

For those who are only acquainted with Lindsey Buckingham through Bill Hader's curiously inaccurate (although extremely hilarious) SNL impersonation, Buckingham is impossibly impassioned, spirited, and invested. Fleetwood refers to Buckingham as the "mentor" of the group, and the audience can see how he is the arteries that allow the blood and life to flow into the collection.

He also gets down and dirty in his singing, and his guitar work is insane. On "The Chain," "Big Love," and his on-and-on (in the good way) solo during "I'm So Afraid," it was easy to see his seamless transitions between rock and classical picking. Watching him perform live was eye-opening.

And then there is the incomparable Stevie Nicks, your gypsy. She just is who she is. Who else can pull off top hats and multiple cape/shawl changes? And she makes you want to be her, but you can't because there can only be one Stevie. Fleetwood called her "our lady, our poet." And she just sounded SO Stevie, even still, after all these years.

"Rhiannon" was a great example. Her range wasn't quite what it used to be, but for some reason, it was totally okay. She saved high notes for when they were really needed, and she didn't go for the very high octaves as in days gone by. But her voice was just so textured and uniquely beautiful, that as a fan, the current melodic approaches made even more sense (and were even more appreciated) because of the layer of history that sat so perfectly below her smoky alto.

My favorite part of the show was when Nicks sang unaccompanied the three simple words "snow covered hills" at the end of "Landslide." Those three words were perfect and unblemished; because only Stevie could do them like Stevie.

Stevie and Lindsey together are still magical. They obviously love one another so much, but it's a different sort of love than in the 70s. It's happily evolved into a love full of respect and admiration. It's a grown-up love. When they sang then ending of "Rhiannon" together, it was so clear: "Dreams unwind, love's a state of mind." It is. This is still love, but it's a different state of mind.

My one complaint is that Lindsey's mike was at times too loud compared to Stevie's, and their otherwise beautiful palette of harmonies got muddied due to the sound. Other than that occasional blip, this was rock and roll heaven.

I should also make mention that the backup singers blended beautifully with the band, to the point that I had to ask myself "Christine McWho?" Christine McVie, who is no longer touring with the band, was not noticeable absent in any way. The band's catalog is such that they could omit all of McVie's leading songs without feeling like any era was missing. The one exception was "Don't Stop," the only McVie song originally performed, which Lindsey and Stevie sang Wednesday. It felt like wearing someone else's shoes: sure they're nice, but they don't quite fit. Leaving out the rest of the McVie songs was a smart choice by the band.

The audience, or any audience, could learn a lot from Fleetwood Mac. As a musician, one could only hope to "grow up" to be like them. They are still so incredibly talented, vibrant, and passionate. Take Mick Fleetwood for example: he still looks exactly like he did on the cover of 1977's Rumours, tights and all.

More so, the band is shockingly humble. Through all my years going to rock shows big and small, I have never attended a concert where the band was so appreciative of its fans and the other members of the group. The band actually closed the show (after their second encore, ending with the glorious "Silver Springs" and the underrated and lovely "Say Goodbye"), by thanking fans for their dedication, treating every song like it is the first time they heard it, and encouraging everyone to treat each other kindly.

Even more importantly, we can learn to persevere through obstacles in life through these lyrics. As "Landslide" asks, can we handle the seasons of our lives? I don't know, but I do know that bands like this make it a little easier for us to believe we can, because they have proved it possible, regardless of any circumstances.

Personal Bias: I am so obsessed with the back stories of this band. I know I'm not the only one. Go ahead and get yourself into a major Wikipedia rabbit hole in case you are just getting into them. It will make their music even more fascinating, and their longevity unbelievable.

The Crowd: Pretty much everyone here was drinking age. Hence, the beer lines were VERY LONG.

Overheard In the Crowd: "When you're on a Stevie high, it's hard to realize how good everyone else is. I had to come down first to realize it."

Random Notebook Dump: Would it be inappropriate for me to carry around a ribboned tambourine? Because I really want to. I feel like maybe I could pull if off at Last Concert Café?

[FMlex]

To start off... I TOUCHED LINDSEY'S HAND!! Many times, he was right at the edge of the stage on my side, so I touched the tip of his boot several times. I kept wondering why the other ladies around me weren't doing the same?

Then, during "Go Your Own Way" he came over, got low and played down over the audience like he usually does. I touched his left hand while he was playing! I sure wish someone got a picture of that.

The Toyota Center has three floor sections, so I was on stage-left (Lindsey's side) in the first row. At about 7:50pm, a man in all black, muscular, and kinda scary looking came over and talked to the front row. He said that once the lights went down and we heard the crickets, for us to stand up and step the 4 or 5 feet to the actual stage. He said we were front row and he wanted to make sure we stayed front row. He said when they band actually came out on the stage and started playing, he would let the other rows behind us move forward. This guy worked for the Mac, not the venue.

So I got my spot right near Lindsey's mic. It was a wonderful show. I had to keep shaking my head because I couldn't believe I was actually seeing Fleetwood Mac live. My dad, who was with me in the front row, had seen them for the very first time back in 1975. Now, in 2013, I was seeing them for the first time. Crazy.

I won't go into huge details on everything, but they sounded great. After "I'm So Afraid" I saw a sweet exchange between Mick and John. John looked over at him as if to say, "Wow that SOB really nailed that solo" and they all seemed so pleased. But really... that solo. My goodness. Lindsey is amazing.

I am setting up a Photobucket with the link to the pictures I got.

Here's a couple though until I get them all downloaded (please excuse the size):