Toronto 2: February 3, 2015

[Andy Man]

Wow, is all I can say.

I've just returned from the Fleetwood Mac concert and have to write down my experience so that I do not forget.

First, let me preface by stating that I have been a Mac fan since around 2006 and saw the band on the Unleashed tour in Toronto and at the London O2 Arena in 2013 (the final O2 gig wherein Christine joined the group for "Don't Stop"). I thought that after having the great experience of seeing the O2 gig with Christine, I would be finished with Fleetwood gigs. However, having viewed the On With The Show videos on YouTube, and having never seen a full gig with the Rumours 5, I decided that I would indeed see them tonight.

Also, I should mention that I can be as skeptical as they come. I fully realize that a major incentive for this particular tour is purely financial and it may in fact be a template for any other FM musical endeavours. I also know that a tour without any new material lacks truly innovative artistic statements. I know all of this.

Having stated that...

This was an unbelievable show. It was evident right from the start that these musicians went on stage with something to prove. I would go so far as to say that tonight's gig was miles ahead in terms of musicality, showmanship, and emotion than either of the two previous shows I have seen (except for the mini-reunion during the O2 gig). From what I recall about Unleashed, Lindsey was very energized and Stevie had her moments. However, there was a definite lack of urgency. The 2013 tour had many high moments throughout the show and was certainly a tour worth seeing. However, the return of Christine McVie has without question reignited the passion and energy in the band. Whereas the previous concerts I went to seemed like the Stevie & Lindsey show, tonight was without a doubt Fleetwood Mac. Tonight I witnessed a band in the truest sense of the word.

I could go on and on about each song, but I won't. The highlights tonight seem to be the highlights from the other shows. However, a few observations...

--> Is it just me, or does this tour not feel like a top to bottom full-on rock show? There is such an incredible raw energy from start to finish that any "pop" side of Fleetwood Mac appears to be left aside. Even Christine's material, which has always been the most accessible, has been given such a "rock boost" onstage. I, for one, love this approach. These guys can rock better than most bands in their twenties and have the ability to maintain such an energy for close to three hours. Incredible.

--> Without Christine, where would we be? Tonight proved that it is not an understatement to say that the band needs each of these 5 members to reach the fullest potential. Christine was magnificent tonight, and provided many highlights. She received such a strong response from the audience throughout and played brilliantly. Her material is so needed in the set, not only due to the amount of hits she wrote but also to level off the intensity of Lindsey and Stevie. I was surprised to see how incredible Everywhere is live, and Little Lies has become one of the high points. All of her hits were performed enthusiastically, and received with such appreciation. Her intelligence as a musician was on on spectacle tonight, playing the keyboards brilliantly. Songbird provided a moment that I have never experienced at the ACC: total silence; the arena paused to listen to the beauty and poetry of that song. It was the perfect ending to the evening. Welcome back Christine. Thanks for making our band a "band" again.

---> Lindsey Buckingham is unquestionably the most underrated guitar player and performer in rock. I won't go into all the specifics of the evening, however it should be noted that I forgot how incredible it is to witness his playing in a live setting. I think that with Christine back, Lindsey has stepped his game up even more so, as was noticed on several of this evening's songs. Side note: I do believe that Mr. Buckingham was a little "loose" tonight, shall we say, as his speeches were a little less structured than usual and he seemed to get distracted easily when not playing (all in good fun, though).

---> Stevie was the best I have ever seen her tonight. Like Lindsey, the return of Christine has certainly been a positive thing for Ms. Nicks. She was so appreciative to the Toronto audience for having the band back for a second show, which was recipriated back from us. Gold Dust Woman has only gotten better as the years have progressed and this evening's rendition was the best I have seen of the track. I have never seen Stevie as happy or as energized as I did tonight.

---> The band truly do seem grateful. Yes, the skeptic in me wants to ignore this sentiment. However, there was such pure gratitude being spoken and shown from each of the performers this evening. Very humbling.

This evening was simply extraordinary. An incredible band with such a large and varied audience. A band that tonight proved they are first and foremost a rock band. I am honoured to have seen this show tonight.

[nicole21290]

More importantly the successor to the Frankenboks arrived in all their 'glory' at the end of the gig...

[reebokandlace]

Oh my! Now i am gonna have to change my name to converseandlace



Btw. Does anyone have a picture of the original frankenboks? I can not find one anywhere.

.

[wheart]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

More importantly the successor to the Frankenboks arrived in all their 'glory' at the end of the gig...

Ah the heels have finally taken their toll on poor Stevie's footsies! I knew it was a matter of time. I'm surprised she lasted this long. I think these shoes are adorable!!!!! She should wear them the whole show and really switch things up.

[reebokandlace]

Love the look on lindsey's face...."wtf are those Stevie?...oh, your feet hurt, yeah yeah, they look fine (if you are 12) yeah, keep wearing them!!"

The white does throw me a little. They are cute, but the white screams converse....

[sue]

I just love the way Lindsey is looking down at Stevie's feet as if to say...."What the.....? No kidding, I thought you were joking"

[wheart]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Love the look on lindsey's face...."wtf are those Stevie?...oh, your feet hurt, yeah yeah, they look fine (if you are 12) yeah, keep wearing them!!"

The white does throw me a little. They are cute, but the white screams converse....

Madonna wore a pair very similar to those on her Sticky and Sweet Tour.

[Andy Man]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

More importantly the successor to the Frankenboks arrived in all their 'glory' at the end of the gig...

This was hilarious. Stevie's comment of "this will never happen again" was priceless.


Also, how great is it that these 5 actually seem to be getting along. All throughout the evening it was very apparent that they are loving being in each other's company on stage.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Oh my! Now i am gonna have to change my name to converseandlace



Btw. Does anyone have a picture of the original frankenboks? I can not find one anywhere.

.

hahhahaha!!

[michelej1]

Those shoes are great, especially given the humor captured in the great picture above, as she shows them to Lindsey.

If they were all black, I would actually suggest she wear them for the entire evening. I think being in comfortable shoes would make the show that much more enjoyable for her and I really don't care how they look.

Michele

[editme2]

Oh, jeez.....More bad footwear choices. I just don't understand how a woman of her wealth can't find a suitable pair (or 2) of good stage shoes. Are these even comfortable?

I suppose they're better than the Frankenboks, but she still should not wear them with a dress. Those are meant to be worn with pants.

And speaking of pants, what kind of pants is Stevie wearing? I've always wondered. They look like stockings or stretch pants or something....

[AliceLover]

THOSE SHOES ARE BAD ASS! Love, love, love them.

[Macfan4life]

Thanks for the great review OP.
Fleetwood Mac has always been a rocking band live even when they play some of their pop hits. Few bands are like this today. The Mac live is a completely different experience than the album Mac.

[soul_drifter333]

She bought them to wear with the shoulder-cut top that she wears at every public appearance and photo shoot. Expect to see a LOT of them.

Originally Posted by editme2

Oh, jeez.....More bad footwear choices. I just don't understand how a woman of her wealth can't find a suitable pair (or 2) of good stage shoes. Are these even comfortable?

I suppose they're better than the Frankenboks, but she still should not wear them with a dress. Those are meant to be worn with pants.

And speaking of pants, what kind of pants is Stevie wearing? I've always wondered. They look like stockings or stretch pants or something....

[Montclare]

Oh Stevie. Wedge gym shoes are so two years ago.

But yeah, any thing is better than the Frankenboks. These are light years better than those.