Los Angeles Forum 12/6/14

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Further, she got the loudest and longest applause during introductions. That's something I've never seen.

On Songbird, she did some extra piano runs to coincide with Lindsey's fills. And her voice was very full and not at all tepid.

Oooh. I feel so jealous, not to be there.

Michele

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Further, she(Christine) got the loudest and longest applause during introductions. That's something I've never seen.

She got the loudest in Hartford also.

[michelej1]

Fleetwood Mac - The Forum - December 6, 2014 By Andy Hermann

http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsou...-6-2014?page=2

Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 9:33 AM L. A. Weekly

Fleetwood Mac The Forum December 6, 2014

On Saturday, Fleetwood Mac played their last of three sold-out shows at the Forum. And who cares, right? Reunion tours at the Inglewood arena are as plentiful as scarves on Stevie Nicks' mic stand.

But in the 16 years since a Fleetwood Mac tour featured the entire Rumors lineup, something notable happened: The band, long a favorite among baby boomers and Gen X'ers, got discovered by a new generation of fans, many of whom are themselves making emotionally dramatic pop music laced with lush harmonies and fiery guitar parts.

See also: Why Hipsters Are Obsessed With Fleetwood Mac

Tame Impala, Haim, the Entrance Band, even Miley Cyrus: all have worshiped at the altar of the Mac. Foxygen told L.A. Weekly that they recorded their new album while listening to Tusk on repeat, and Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino breathlessly tweeted out "Fleetwood Mac is honestly THE most important band in my entire life" after one of the band's first two Forum shows.

So Saturday's show — not their last in L.A., as we had originally described it, since they announced an additional Forum date next April just a few days ago — felt important. With the return of singer/keyboardist Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac are now the biggest band of their era whose "classic" lineup remains intact. And they've become, arguably, the most influential.

The importance of McVie's return can't be overstated. Though far less flashy than her fellow lead singers, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, her cool alto, underrated piano skills and flair for an irresistible pop hook provided the perfect foil to Buckingham's histrionics and Nicks' witchy balladry. She wrote the first and last hit singles of the quintet's remarkable 12-year run ("Over My Head" and "Everywhere," respectively) as well as their signature anthem, "Don't Stop." More than once, her bandmates expressed elation over her return — though no words could convey more than the ear-to-ear grin Buckingham wore for much of "Say You Love Me," one of Christine's most indelible tunes and perhaps the evening's best showcase of the band's pinpoint harmonies.

Though the night in many ways belonged to McVie, Buckingham and Nicks still provided most of the highlights. After nearly 40 years, Buckingham remains the band's wild card, a guitarist so brilliant — and so clearly enamored of his own brilliance — that his admittedly jaw-dropping solos at times threatened to hijack the whole show. The shrieking cascades of notes pouring forth from his signature Renaissance Model One guitar earned their fair share of cheers from the crowd — but no moment of the show got a bigger cheer than Stevie Nicks' first twirl during "Rhiannon."

It is Nicks, more than any other member of the Mac, who has captured the imagination of a younger generation of fans. During her songs "Dreams," "Gypsy" and especially "Landslide," women who clearly weren't even born when Rumors came out could be seen throughout the crowd, singing along rapturously with every word.

Wisely and graciously, the band let Christine McVie have the last word, rolling out a baby grand piano on which she delivered a haunting rendition of "Songbird," the prettiest song on Rumors, accompanied only by some admirably restrained acoustic guitar by Buckingham.

Afterward, when the band came out to take their final bows, Stevie Nicks credited Fleetwood Mac's fans for McVie's return. "You made this happen. You're magic! You have magical powers," Nicks declared. And maybe she's right, but our magical powers pale in comparison to those of a reunited Fleetwood Mac.

Overheard in the crowd, after Stevie Nicks' twirling performance of "Rhiannon": "She knows how to work a shawl."

Random notebook dump: The giant floating Lindsey head on the projection screen during "I Know I'm Not Wrong" is freaking me out. It's like his ego made manifest.

[elle]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I was cracking up last night when Lindsey was sitting on the side during Mick's drum solo. Lindsey was having a blast last night.

i love how much fun he seems to be having on this tour. and WT interactions with audience when he's sitting on the stage are always a blast to watch.

and i love that he was hanging out at the backstage party with past collaborators after the show. here is the link to several backstage photos from Janet Robin's fb timeline (she gave ok for our fansite to share some of her photos):
https://www.facebook.com/31670818169...type=1&theater

[jbrownsjr]

^^^^ He buried his head in Christine's tummy, back about 3 times last night and she was laughing so hard...

[elle]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

^^^^ He buried his head in Christine's tummy, back about 3 times last night and she was laughing so hard...

awwwww, during GYOW?

love their happy little interactions, always adding something to them too. and his interactions with everyone on the stage, really. he's such a touchy-feely guy.

[elle]

Originally Posted by Lisa W

I was at the Forum show tonight and have to say it was Lindsey's night. He really seemed on fire and the I'm So Afraid ovation was fantastic! Overall, I'm really loving the sound in this venue. Tonight was special for me as it is 35 years to the day that I first saw FM in concert - at the LA Forum!!. It was also great driving there in a full moon. That totally added to the atmosphere.

There was a lot of good interaction between the band members that I was able to capture in photos. Stevie and Lindsey are really getting along tonight. The embrace after NGBA was back and Lindsey seemed to take his time with it...

I've also never noticed the little dance that Stevie does in front of Mick during the guitar solo in Silver Springs. I was sitting side stage on Lindsey's side this time and really liked that spot.

Here is a Flickr link to my pictures:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125906...7649228737267/

fab shots Lisa!!!!!! love all the action LB shots, the guy is definitely covering that stage!!

on another note, bunch of ex-FM collaborators were apparently invited by the band to see the show, sit in the friends&family section and party backstage after. Ken Caillat said he decided to skip going to Japan and support his daughter in entertaining the troops to go to this show. pretty sure Richard was invited too, since his assistant tweeted she was flying to LA and going to the show. and Janet Robin posted bunch of fabulous backstage pics with Lindsey and Neale which you can see if you are FB friends with her.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Lisa W

The embrace after NGBA was back and Lindsey seemed to take his time with it...

Taking his time. LOL. I love your pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Michele