My D.C. Review.....

[GardenStateGirlie]

“Thank You!!!� was the most often heard heartfelt sentiment from both Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks last night, May 9th 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. As a “fan� since the young age of three, I could often be found standing in front of the mirror in my mother’s bedroom, ballet slippers on, long brown wavy hair flowing, mimicking Stevie’s moves from the Gypsy video-- so I must tell you it was quite overwhelming to see Fleetwood Mac perform live in front of me.

“OHMYGOD. I can’t deal….� was the sentiment that could most often be heard from my mouth (among other things….I believe “holy ****� was another most often used phrase if memory serves). I arrived from my 2 ½ hour drive from New Jersey to Washington D.C. and proceeded to the Hyatt, situated three blocks from the MCI Center, around 4:30. I was meeting my friend Meredith whom I had met on The Ledge and whom I hadn’t seen in five years since we attended A Day In the Garden together with our moms and some other Ledgies we had met. I was already overwhelmed from the meeting as was Meredith and now, we were going to see Fleetwood Mac *insert either overused sentiment made by me HERE.* We walked over to the MCI Center after I checked in to find that Fleetwood Mac was rehearsing Dreams for the show that night. We listened in for a few and were told that if we didn’t have tickets to get out at which point we left to grab some dinner before our return for night two of Fleetwood Mac’s What’s The World Coming To? Tour 2003. The show, set to start at 8pm, did not begin until nearly 8:30. I waited in anticipation for the band to step onto the stage. One by one they made their way and the practically sold-out crowd cheered and were on their feet. The band, having received such a warm reception were at a loss for words. This tour really means a lot to them and when you attend (Say You Will attend?? Ha!) you’ll notice this as well.

The set list is absolutely phenomenal. The only change was the exclusion of Running Through the Garden. I was a little disappointed because the song has grown on me but I figured perhaps it will be added back on as the tour progresses or perhaps, another song from the album will be included in its place (C’MON WITH EFO!!! ) The band was ON tonight. From the very first note to the very last note, they just rocked….they rocked as they never have before. This tour makes The Dance look like a Vegas lounge act. I stood for the entire show although some people sat during Lindsey’s solos. I had to stand…. I had to give it up for him. He owned this show and Stevie just stepped back and let him do his thing on several occasions. Standing ovations? Not once. Not twice but three, possibly even four times for him. Once again, he broke his guitar string on Come. And Big Love…..I’m So Afraid…there are no words. Truly. No words in the English language or any other language for that matter that can express profoundly how fanfreakintastic he was. I was truly in awe and admiration for his talent and yes ladies, his extraordinarily lovely exterior wasn’t too bad either What’s The World Coming To was also good and I had a little surprise during this song…Miss Livia came up to me and gave me a hug. She’s such a sweetie and it was very nice to meet her!

I did notice there were several deep and breathtaking/heartbreaking moments during the performance that evening. Stevie got into the moment several times especially as she sang Destiny Rules to him. It also appears to me that this tour…with the setlist they have chosen….thus far seems to be emotionally draining on Stevie. She cried as Lindsey sang Say Goodbye to her, looking into her eyes. You could feel the electricity between the two of them. During Say You Will, as Stevie sang, Lindsey put his hand over his heart and they smiled at one another. Another one of my favorite moments was during Tusk; Lindsey proceeded to push his head into Stevie’s shoulder as she giggled. And of course, the Landslide hug. As the show went on and it was time for her to sing it, Stevie explained to us about how glad she was to be performing Beautiful Child and yes, she was very into it, eyes shut occasionally, Lindsey looking on to her. The Buckingham/Nicks harmony was in full force on Eyes of the World. And to me, Silver Springs still had emotion; she just didn’t drag the microphone to him and start yelling. I wish she would though because I’m fairly certain she would have caught him off guard. And yes, I’m not a huge Mick fan but he was rather entertaining…�ARE YOU WITH ME?!?!?!� he yelled, grabbing his package as Lindsey’s voice came out of whatever musical toy they were using. It made me laugh, that’s for sure. Stand Back still got me fired up and the whole band was definitely into it. No matter how many times she performs this song, it takes on a life of its own and is never the same song twice. Go Your Own Way was top notch and despite Christine’s absence, Don’t Stop was excellent as was Tusk. And Goodbye Baby….bring a tissue. It is emotional. It is Stevie at her most vulnerable. It is beautiful.

It was just an amazing evening. Stevie was looking absolutely radiant and smiling from ear to ear….hitting the notes….feeling the music…feeling the emotion in her own lyrics. Lindsey…If you don’t attend the concert for any other reason *ahem* Mr.Carne…go for Lindsey…go to see him play the best he ever has in his life….to hear him sing….to see him overcome by everyone rooting for him. He’s amazing. This is his time to shine. John as always will never let you down with his smooth bass lines and of course, Mick, playing his drums (and balls) was rocking out last night. They were so gracious and I really don’t think they expected the roars from the crowd and everyone standing on their feet (this happened during the break in Landslide…Lindsey and Stevie looked at each other, shrugged shoulders and smiled, then continued). Oh, and I failed to metion…Mick introduced Stevie as Stephanie Nicks. I loved that.

I’m forgetting so much but I still can’t believe I just had the opportunity to see them. It was just….I don’t even know you guys….so very special. Such an amazing time to be a fan. *SIGH*

PS- It was also nice to meet Keith and Jessica Leigh even though I didn't get to speak with you guys for very long...it was our post Fleetwood Mac high...lol...

[nae]

LOL, you are sooo cute with all your excitement! Thanks much for the review!

Nae

[Livia]

GREAT review, and it was great to meet you! I'm still in "afterglow" mode. LOL You and Keith covered all the bases so well, now I don't have to write a review of my own! Heh.

[Livia]

LOL, you are sooo cute with all your excitement!

Yeah, to quote the lady at the bus stop in Forrest Gump..."I thought it was a loooovely story, and you tell it so well...with such enthusiasm!"

[seeknpeace]

Great review.....makes me so excited to see them when they are in Phoenix and LA. Thank you so much. Sounds like a lot of chemistry was there like in the Dance. I cannot wait!!

[WelshWitchPMD]

Thanks for the great review. Glad that you had such a wonderful time.

[GardenStateGirlie]

LOL....you guys crack me up!! I'm still totally on cloud nine and didn't get much sleep tonight. I'm like, you need to go to bed!!! My body wants to shut down but my brain is like, WOAH. You saw Fleetwood Mac.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Great review! Thanks for sharing! I know all about that 'afterglow'.... I think I was still basking in that when I met Jessica Leigh in Vegas! LOL!

Pip

[tamaraluvsFM]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like you had a blast! And enjoy the post glow feeling as its still in me since friday! They ROCK!!!!

Tamara

[Cour]

It sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for taking the time to write a review, we love hearing them.

[rhiannon1119]

Awesome review Marissa! It just made me more anxious to see them! I truly can't wait! Glad you had such a wonderful experience!

Michelle

[darklinensuit]

Please tell me that Rhiannon was at least acceptable if not great. Was it any different from The Dance version (other than no Christine)?

- Jake

[Tango]

very few bands seem to begin on time, and Fleetwood Mac seems to be right up there with the best of them in terms of being tardy. And at times you feel "angry." And then you see them, and nothing even matters. The world stands still.

I am so happy you got to see them! You're excitement transcends the page! Thank you very much for your story. Stephanie Nicks. Very sweet.

[Livia]

Please tell me that Rhiannon was at least acceptable if not great. Was it any different from The Dance version (other than no Christine)?

Jake, it was pretty much the same as The Dance, except there is NO long, drawn out piano intro, which I actually preferred.