27/05/15 - The 02

[nicole21290]

The answer is 'no' to the previous two questions. The instrumentals which are played are just over the sound system, and there was no opening act. If there was, not a single person remarked upon it.

Another review, some lines of which made me laugh FAR too much...

http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music...-tour-o2-arena

To begin at the very bizarre ending. Fleetwood Mac, finally reincarnated as a five-piece with Christine McVie stage right on luscious vocals and keyboard, had just thrashed out a show of great finesse for two hours. It had all gone peachily. McVie was given a last lovely encore - “Songbird” – sung solo on a grand piano. It should have been the final word. Many were already going, or gone.

But after one last bow Stevie Nicks, as ever an accident in a taffeta factory, had a rambling tale to tell about McVie’s prodigal return after 16 years. This bathetic oration lasted about three minutes. Then Mick Fleetwood, perhaps refusing to cede the last word to anyone else, came out to tell one and all to “take care of yourselves and be kind to one another”.
The warring band that launched a thousand documentaries has overdosed on the talking cure. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” said Lindsey Buckingham in one of his confessionals. And of course richer. The reincarnated Mac have been touring since September – this return to the band’s first home was their 82nd date.

The McVies have the the right idea. Christine simply said it was nice to be back, while John, got up like a London dustman after a makeover, never opened his gob. You always know he’s there, though. Fleetwood Mac takes its name from its rhythm section, and last night at the O2 they were loud in the mix from the first thuds of Fleetwood’s bass drum and McVie’s iconic running bassline in “The Chain”. Too loud sometimes: “Rhiannon” should be all about Nicks but was as much about drum and bass.

The return of Christine McVie has restored Mac to equilibrium. A mulch of British rhythm and blues and San Franciscan flower power was always held in balance by the more grounded of its two songbirds. For years there’s been nothing to bridge the gap between Fleetwood’s leaning-on-a-lamppost shtick and the larval Californian gush of moon-sister Nicks and karmic old stoner Buckingham. As the first three songs rolled out from Rumours – “The Chain”, “You Make Loving Fun” and “Dreams” - the band’s three voices were back in sync. McVie’s lovely mumsy alto is still the only known antidote to Nicks’ magnificent mystical foghorn.

Rumours was, as only right and proper, at the heart of this reunion. It still casts a hell of a spell even if no one – not even the three graces on backing vocalists – had the whoomph to hit the high harmonic line in “Second Hand News”. But the oldies don’t have to be carbon copies. In the acoustic interlude, Buckingham led a clever if slightly self-indulgent reinterpretation of “Never Going Down Again”, full of slow slide vocals and delayed entrances.

Such is the giant shadow cast by Rumours that Buckingham wasn’t entirely disingenuous to mention “an album called Tango in the Night”. “Big Love”, full of inchoate back-to-the-woods all-American yowls, was prefaced by his now usual blurb about what the song meant then and means now. There are two Buckinghams, the shaman and the showman. When he wasn’t sharing the fluff in his navel, he spent the night duck-walking in skinny jeans and wigging out like a teenager, climaxing the main set with a guitar solo in which he was, basically, beating off.

There were several sniffs of the band as a work in progress. Fleetwood came to the front to bash a smaller kit for the fivesome’s not-that-great first ever single, “Over My Head”, affording a tantalising glimpse of what it would be like to see them play a club. “Landslide” – Nicks’s lovely lyrics about ageing now truer than ever - was a moment of peace in a stormy night. At the song’s end, she wiped a finger across Buckingham’s sopping brow. There was that much love in the room.

Rumours’ bloated successor Tusk was quoted. The title song, with its marching-band brass blasted out on synths, remains impressively weird. “Sisters of the Moon”, with a colour-boosted Celtic landscape on the back projection, felt like Nicks’s hippy-dippy signature. As the show entered its last quarter, you could be forgiven for assuming Christine McVie had left the band all over again. The set ended with “Go Your Own Way”, before the encore brought what many must have thought they’d been spared, Fleetwood’s demented-magus drum solo. “Don’t Stop” restored order, only for Nicks and Fleetwood to take the song’s message a little too literally with those closing speeches. Not that you should doubt the sentiment. This band has broken a lot of chains in its time. With the links back in place, they are a thing to behold.

[Mr Scarrott]

From the Evening Standard:

Like all the best potboilers, there’s a twist to Fleetwood Mac at every turn. This time around, their wildly successful On With The Show tour sees the return of elegant 71-year-old Christine McVie (who left in 1998) rekindling the squabbling quintet’s mega-selling Seventies/Eighties line-up.

As ever, they were four very distinct individuals, plus bassist John McVie who neither moved nor spoke. His ex-wife’s Little Lies and Everywhere were sweet-natured, concise, chorus-heavy nuggets. Mick Fleetwood’s uncalled-for drum solo during World Turning included extra grunting. Nicks struggled for mobility but remained no stranger to witchy mumbo-jumbo. Lindsey Buckingham’s playing on solo showcase Big Love was a reminder of who has the group’s outstanding talent.

However, when the individuals surrendered to the collective, the evening turned celestial. Harmonies sparked off each other on The Chain; the comforting Don’t Stop and its dark twin, Go Your Own Way, were all singalong moments of adult pop perfection. But Fleetwood Mac were always strongest at their most unhinged. The deranged, daring Tusk offered demonic cackling, accordion, a percussion earthquake and wailing capable of waking the dead.

http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/m...-10280804.html

Some reviewers just don't get John, do they? I'm off to the O2 tonight. I still can't quite believe it. This is this line-up's first tour of the UK in thirty-five years and only its third tour here ever. Happy am I to be alive on such a day. All faults forgiven.

[Phil Lee]

Did anyone do the VIP meet and greet with Mick? I'll be doing it at the first Manchester show and am curious how it was handled this tour.

[shackin'up]

Haha. Excellent review. A Shaman and a Showman. Wonderfully put. As were several of the onliners in this piece. Cool.

[twinmatrix]

BUT SERIOUSLY.

SONGBIRD.

How is no one else freaking out over its return. o__o

And also I saw a printed set list where it wasn't on there. o__O

[reebokandlace]

The show was amazing. It was well worth crossing the pond to see. They really are great players (and great actors) i was reminded that what happens during the show vs the reality of their personal interactions off stage are completely different worlds.

That being said, I would like to publically apologize for any mud I may have thrown at any member of the band, (and Karen, whom I have blamed for every single thing that has gone wrong in Stevie's life in the past 25 years, she has the toughest job and really is an amazing assistant) or any former producers. I was wrong, I was misguided by my hurt and anger and I am very sorry. I am eating crow on the Ledge.

Now ....on with the show....

Reebok

[poetinmyheart]

So I was so taken last night by the whole thing, I've decided that I want to see one more show in London - one of the late June dates. I only have experience buying tickets months in advance on ticketmaster or live nation. I saw a tweet last night where someone said that some good tickets had come up at the O2 box office a few hours before the show. Is this usual? Anyone got any advice on getting last minute tickets for London? I know some sites like stubhub have tickets up, but again, I have no experience of buying tickets last minute like this.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

The show was amazing. It was well worth crossing the pond to see. They really are great players (and great actors) i was reminded that what happens during the show vs the reality of their personal interactions off stage are completely different worlds.

That being said, I would like to publically apologize for any mud I may have thrown at any member of the band, (and Karen, whom I have blamed for every single thing that has gone wrong in Stevie's life in the past 25 years, she has the toughest job and really is an amazing assistant) or any former producers. I was wrong, I was misguided by my hurt and anger and I am very sorry. I am eating crow on the Ledge.

Now ....on with the show....

Reebok

You're forgiven. Christine can do that to a person.

[Sanne2]

So no Seven Wonders? That's a shame, I was looking forward to hearing that live this sunday.

[nicole21290]

Originally Posted by Sanne2

So no Seven Wonders? That's a shame, I was looking forward to hearing that live this sunday.

It's no longer on the setlist, not just crossed out either.

🎶🎤 #SetList #FrontRow #FleetwoodMac #OnWithTheShow #WorldTour #o2Arena #London #Concert #StevieNicks #LindsayBuckingham #MickFleetwood #ChristineMcVie #JohnMcVie 🎸🎵

A photo posted by Michael Hall (@s6boy91) on May 28, 2015 at 9:22am PDT

[ChickenStu]

Well. I went to my second Fleetwood Mac gig last night. Whilst it was nice to see the five original members together again and to hear songs like Everywhere and Little Lies performed - the changes in key of some of the songs were really quite jarring. Plus, the staff at the 02 were being really officious and I got told off for a number of things including puffing on my e-cig and standing up whilst trying to acclimatize myself to the altitude of where my seat was in the venue.

This is in stark contrast to the gig I attended in September 2013 in which the crowd were left alone to dance and have a bit of a party. I don't know what's happened to the 02 staff since then - but this woman who kept bothering me pretty much ALMOST ruined my night. I'd make a complaint about her but it would do not good.

I mean OK - fair play - I probably shouldn't have been using my e-cig - but it's when she came and stood next to me for no reason as if to say "I'm watching you mate" - really kind of pissed me off.

But I'm pleased to be able to say I've seen Fleetwood Mac twice. But of the two concerts I've attended - the first one was the best. There was a magic in the air that night that seemed to sort of be missing this time around if that makes any sense.

[michelej1]

NME by Leonie Cooper May 28, 2015

http://www.nme.com/news/fleetwood-mac/85746

Adele and Florence Welch watch Fleetwood Mac kick off UK tour in London Fleetwood Mac Tickets

The band - including Christine McVie - played London's O2 last night (May 27)

Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks dedicated the song 'Landslide' to Adele on the opening night of the band's UK tour.

The group played the first of a run of shows at London's The O2 last night (May 27), with Nicks addressing the crowd mid-set to talk about her love of British singer, Adele. "She's from here - you might know her," commented Nicks. "She's a fantastic songwriter... I told her 'you're going to be me in 40 years, you're going to still be up onstage doing what you're doing because of your songwriting'." The song 'Landslide' originally featured on the band's self-titled 1975 album.

Fleetwood Mac were joined by keyboard player and songwriter Christine McVie, who is now a full-time member of the band again, after first appearing on stage with the group at the same London venue in September 2013 before officially rejoining in January 2014. McVie - who wrote some of the band's most well known songs - left the band in 1998.

The band arrived onstage at 8.15pm and played a 22 song, hit-packed set to a sold out crowd. Opening with 'The Chain', it was followed by 'You Make Loving Fun' after which Christine McVie commented: "Thanks very much London, it's great to be here." Stevie Nicks then explained that it was the 82nd show of their current tour. "And now on show 82 I think we can safely say that our girl is back!," she added, gesturing to McVie.

Following 'Rhiannon', McVie addressed the crowd once more. "I can't tell you what a thrill it is to be on the stage with these wonderful musicians who I consider my family," she said. "You don't get this chance many times in life - I got it twice." The band then started a mass sing-along with 'Everywhere'. Guitar player Lindsey Buckingham later spoke about "the return of the beautiful Christine" and called it "a karmic, circular moment".

Later, for the songs 'Over My Head' and 'Gypsy', drummer Mick Fleetwood swapped his large kit for a smaller one at the front of the stage, which Christine McVie referred to as a "cocktail kit". During 'World Turning' he embarked on an epic drum solo, much to the delight of the crowd. "****, this is a huge, massive place," he remarked towards the end.

Following the show, both Adele and Florence And The Machine's Florence Welch were pictured backstage with Stevie Nicks.

Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/fleetwood-ma...MWAMCgr1gcG.99

[michelej1]

Telegraph Co. UK (5 stars *****) By Neil McCormick

11:00PM BST 27 May 2015

Fleetwood Mac, O2 Arena, review: 'Nothing less than extraordinary'

The soap opera of the band member's personal lives has always lent a certain depth and texture to Fleetwood Mac, says Neil McCormick


The Chain made for a suitably dramatic opening, showing off the restored Fleetwood Mac to full effect with that fantastic bass, thunderous drums, blood quickening guitar solo and gorgeous wall of harmonies insisting the chain cannot be broken. Going straight into You Make Loving Fun drove the point home, showcasing Christine McVie's smooth vocal and funky keyboards. "I think we can safely say our girl is back" trilled Stevie Nicks.

This tour marks the full reunion of the classic line-up, with the return of Christine McVie after 16 years. The band have become almost the definition of a heritage act in her absence, regularly touring sets of their greatest hits to nostalgic audiences, so you can't really say she was missed. But there is no doubt she restores some balance, both in musical and pop cultural terms.

Musically, she takes some of the weight off virtuoso guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, her smooth, lush pop songs softening his sharper arty edges. Flowing gems as potent as Everywhere, Little Lies and Songbird were restored to their rightful place in the centre of a Fleetwood set and for that alone audiences have reason to be grateful.

But there is a sense too that the dysfunctional family is back together, healing old wounds with the balm of time and music, a message that, in itself, speaks volumes to lifelong fans

Fleetwood Mac make much of their history of "ups and downs" as Buckingham puts it. Now that Christine is back playing again with ex-husband bassist John McVie there are three former couples on stage, if you take into account that drummer Mick Fleetwood romanced singer Nicks behind the back of Buckingham.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Buckingham insisted, and seemed intent on proving it with a playful yet dramatically full blooded duet with his ex on Never Going Back Again.

The soap opera has always lent a certain depth and texture to Fleetwood Mac but, frankly, a little less chatter and a little more playing would be my only suggestion. There were speeches even after the encores. Yet it feels churlish to complain. Precious few bands have contained the range of vocal, stylistic and songwriting talent of the Mac, and even the inevitable inclusion of a new song didn't start a queue for the toilets.

With that taut, explosive rhythm section, Buckingham's imaginative flair, Nicks' wildcard charisma and Christine McVie's singalong soulfulness restored to the heart of the matter, there is really no way this band could be anything less than extraordinary. A lusty mass singalong of Don't Stop spoke volumes about how their audience felt about the return of the Mac.

[michelej1]

I don't know, Lindsey. What doesn't kill me usually just makes me weak, scared and unhappy. Not stronger.

Michele

[michelej1]

Fleetwood Mac review – back together, and just about perfect
4 / 5 stars

http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...2-arena-review

O2 Arena, London, The Guardian

The return of the band’s classic line-up on their On With the Show tour is cause for celebration – and fascination


“Let’s get this party started!” isn’t the introduction you expect at a Fleetwood Mac show, and especially not from Stevie Nicks, creator of the Hollywood Hills hippie-mystic archetype. But tonight is the 82nd gig of their year-long On With the Show tour and Nicks, splendid in trailing black lace, feels they’ve turned a corner in their relationship with Christine McVie. The singer-pianist’s nervousness about rejoining after a 16-year break has given way to wholehearted mucking in. Nodding towards McVie’s keyboard, behind which she is tall and commanding, Nicks roars: “Now I think we can safely say our girl is back!”

Mac returning to their classic configuration is cause for celebration, and not just because it lets us hear one of pop’s great songbooks performed by the five people who wrote it. There’s also the fascination of seeing them accommodate each other: Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks and McVie get equal front-time, and use it in ways that make you wonder how such disparate personalities functioned in the same group.

Nicks is the spell-casting sensualist, reedily fronting Dreams, Rhiannon and Landslide (dedicating the last to her father and singer Adele); Buckingham’s emotional collapse after years of “leading the lifestyle” is re-created in the angular battering he gives Tusk and Big Love. And McVie is somehow veiled and private, even when singing about bliss and its turbulent aftermath on Everywhere and Little Lies. Mick Fleetwood also gets his eventual moment, with a drum solo on World Turning, but he and John McVie are the perfect rhythm section – there without being too there.

There’s nothing to fault except Nicks’s getting so lost in her cocaine-warning song, Gold Dust Woman, that it goes on for a week – time that could have been better spent hearing the blaring Tusk again. Apart from that, it’s just about perfect.