[The Nicks Fix]

Fleetwood Mac - FAN REVIEWS

04/06/2013 Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA




Caireene
Well, it was night two of FM's 2013 Tour and my first observation is that I wasn't the only person who took the time to search out the opening night set list. With nearly everyone in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center flashing a cellphone, it was somewhat fascinating to watch so many do so much with a simple piece of technology. I saw more than one couple around me checking their phone every so often for the set list!

Tied into that observation is also the age of a vast majority of the crowd. You know what I mean! Those of us from the generation who perfected drum solos and concert t-shirts were there in force! Having partaken of more than a few lighter raised in the air moments, when an entire arena seemed to shiver with fairy lights, it seemed oddly cool that this older crowd would release a collective chuckle at the ironic replacement of technology for a trusty Bic lighter!!!! There was something hilarious about those fairy lights being replaced by steady glowing rectangles shining all around. The couple behind me literally LOL'd:)

As for the show itself......it was a slice of heaven. After all these years ~ this band just mesmerizes.

Quote from the lawyer and his Stevie wanna-be wife sitting in front of us who chatted up everybody around them like a FM Pep Squad Leader with too much Red Bull on board, "I'd say Mick Fleetwood was a god; but then, what the heck, I'd have to add that John McVie as also a god. And Lindsay? Well, shit man, he's like Zeus or something. Stevie, well.....she'd a fu%&ing goddess! Right, babe? "(directed to the Stevie-doll who bobbed her head in agreement as he gushed and babbled in awestruck wonder). The Mighty Mac apparently is back although they never actually go away!

There were a few technical glitches and some poor timing but hey, even that was all good! My companion for the evening had never experienced Fleetwood Mac in concert and commented repeatedly about what an excellent job the camera operator did and how amazing the lighting and effects were. Was visually energetic. I especially enjoyed the background for World Turning.

Mick and John were effing awesome. I can't even think of what to say about either of them; together or separately. Watching what they do; experiencing Mick's thundering embrace of every note played and then picking up the rhythm; the backbone in every song that John adds is a masterful experience. THAT'S how it's done! They are quite simply, the best. Mick's drum solo during World Turning was like an old friend, a sentiment apparently shared by many as the entire arena hooted, hollered and answered back with a roar each time Mick asked "Are you with me?" Good times, people....good times.

As for Lindsay and Stevie, well.... let's just say there was some interesting body language and some interesting stage chit chat about their once and **ahem** future relationship....from both of them. The crowd, of course, ate it up!!!

Lindsay was and is one of the finest guitarists on this planet. As with Mick and John, words fail me when trying to do justice to what Lindsay Buckingham brings to the affair. Zeus indeed! Being lucky enough to be seated center stage on the floor within the first twelve rows, having Lindsay and a guitar that close to one's face is almost more than the brain can handle. He is just simply amazing. I, for one, could stand there and just marvel at his talent all night and then some. This dude rocks.

And then there was Stevie. My, my, my. As a veteran of hundreds of shows over a more than 30 year span, it always makes me smile watching people lose their shit right in front of you the moment she appears. There aren't a whole helluva a lot of bona fide rock 'n roll women left these days [ speaking of which MAKE SURE YOU CATCH ANN and NANCY WILSON currently on tour AND being inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame on April 18th ] and just like with Mick, John and Lindsay .... Stevie gets it done and shows us all how it gets done right! When a twirling moment went on longer than expected after the crowd went bat-shit crazy, Stevie laughed and mimed some twirling dizzies as she approached the mic, much to the delight of those down front. The crowd literally hangs on her every word and gesture. The outpouring of love and affection for the entire band was on abundant display with a special slice of giddiness for all things Stevie.

Everyone always wants to know how her voice sounded and all I can say is she still brings the goose bumps. Sisters of the Moon was a great choice to bring out of retirement and got a booming reaction of approval from the arena. Intense silence, as she walks in the room. Yeah, she sounded completely amazing.

Both new song additions were pretty good. Sad Angel is a rockin' good time and Without You, the Buckingham Nicks song everyone but Stevie and Lindsay apparently knew about from YouTube needed to be a bit tighter but came off well.

The final encore song was slower and melodic to ground the high energy from a two and a half hour rock n roll show (which Christine was so good at with "Songbird") was Say Good-bye from 2003's Say You Will album. Stevie and Lindsay alone on stage. Lindsay explaining, or trying to explain, his complex relationship with Stevie while she looked on. He said the song was about Stevie and was something of a counterpart to her Without You. The song was beautiful, hauntingly so. The expression on Stevie's face was ...... As the song ended, Lindsay seemed a bit ........... My companion says he appeared to wipe his eyes as he put the guitar down. Everyone takes from these moments what they will. I was strangely moved. These two do that for me. Even after all these years, it's still so fascinating to see them in person and experience the energy Buckingham Nicks create when they are together.

Mick did the introductions as he always does, at the end. Stevie's die-hard tribe gave all the love for the ever-fabulous Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks. Oh, and I must say that Lindsay does full justice to Stand Back and really seemed to get into it ~ mouthing words and interacting enthusiastically with the crowd.

All in all, a most fantastic night in Philadelphia, after which we fled back to our suburban lives after some quick, parking lot facebook updates about what a bangin' show it was! Besides the part where I parted with a shit ton of money for premium tickets, the evening was fantastically memorable. Stevie and her shawls and top hat. Mick and the massive Zildjian behind his head (oh, and his hanging balls that delight the fans!). John with his vest and hat. Lindsay and the way he handles a guitar. It really just doesn't get any better.

Gary
The Mac did not disappoint! They were very high energy and tight. Stevie had a very sexy look with her black leggings, and sexy boots that showed off her set of sexy legs. Lindsey, was superb in his playing, singing, and bantor. Mick beat the heck out of his drums, and is in top form at his trade. John, solid as a rock, being the backbone of this band as Mick describes him.

Take advanatage of the opportunity to see them. You'll have a great time, that will carry on with you probably for days afterwards.

Dustin
I saw Fleetwood Mac on April 6th, in Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center. This being my first Fleetwood Mac show I wasn't sure what to expect but my mind kept going to a lot of lights, energy, and a talented group of people playing music and to my surprise my expectations were spot on. The Mac had a wonderful stage set with lights and images that help set the mood for every song. The whole band had energy that some band whose members are their twenties are lacking and can I say just how talented they all are? Since I am primarily a Stevie Nicks fan I was dying when I got to see her perform songs that I had fallen in love with and was blown away at how beautiful she still sounded now. She has aged so gracefully. Lindsay and her had a wonderful chemistry on stage that helped make the show that much more interesting and I now can really understand how they interact on stage! Some highlight songs were 'Gold Dust Woman' 'Stand Back' 'Not That Funny' 'Silver Springs' and on the second encore, the very last song, 'Say Goodbye' which brought tears to my eyes. The only “complaint” I have is that they didn't do the extended Rhiannon version, which has always been a favorite of mine. Its also hard to not list the rest of the songs because every song was spot on and I loved it! The new songs sound great and am anxious for this EP. Regardless, the show was phenomenal and I enjoyed it so much I am going to try and see the one in Albany, NY if I can possibly afford it!

Maureen
I am 47 years old and have been a Fleetwood Mac fan since about 10. The concert was excellent! Stevie’s voice was so powerful and Lindsey is amazing on the guitar! It is incredible they have been around for so long and sound just as every bit good as years ago, if not better! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment! Thank You to the Mac for sharing their wonderful talent with us.

Sillydreamer
Every show I always say they were at their best but this time around Im not kidding they were really, really, really at their best. I almost died when they did "Sisters of The Moon" I have always seen this on video but never seen them do it live in person. I can say I have seen it all. Last tour "Beautiful Child" & now this. Was also loving the new stuff. I have had "Without You" on a demo since the 80's & to hear that live blew me away. The whole band looked incredible. Stevie as always looked incredible. This whole week has been Stevie heaven for me. Her documentary was "AWESOME" to see her on the big screen & hear nothing but her music was a fan's dream come true. GO SEE THIS SHOW EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Cathie
Absolutely fantastic. It's been a week since I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert and I'm still in awe. The bands energy is amazing, and Stevie is such an inspiration. Watching Lindsey play that guitar, the man is so gifted as is Mick and John. Stevie just blew me away. She was mean't to be on stage. Her presence just lights up the stage, and I could really see the love between her and us fans. The Mac is back and better than ever. Bravo!!!

Brad
1st row. Fleetwood Mac. Philadelphia. A Saturday night. Could it get any better? I think not. At 8pm, as the lights to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia went out and the remaining 4 members of Fleetwood Mac strolled out on stage for their 2nd show of what could potentially be their last tour together, chills went down everybody’s bodies as they stood there in awe of 4 legends still standing-together and looking better than any of them have in the last 20 years. We stood there in front row right up against the stage, positioned halfway between the 8 feet difference of Stevie & Lindsey’s microphones. Throughout the show, we literally felt Lindsey’s sweat drip on us, we heard them kindly talk to each other between songs that folks outside of the first few rows would never be able to hear, we felt the vibrations of the stage when Lindsey jumped up and down, we touched Lindsey’s guitar multiple times during guitar solos, and most importantly, we made Stevie feel loved. We jumped up and down, sang, and danced the concert away, despite how in awe and mesmerized we were of a.) being so close and b.) seeing our legends put on an absolutely tremendous show. We truly felt they were feeding off our energy levels in the first few rows, as they were coming over right in front of us yelling, jumping up & down, waving, smiling, etc. It was surreal to be a part of.

As for the set itself, Second Hand News is probably the only song I can’t actually remember hearing during the concert, simply because it was first and we were on such a high seeing Fleetwood Mac right smack in front of us (plus needed to snap some quick photos before we got too caught up in singing/dancing). When they broke into The Chain the song second song in, the concert truly began and it was unbelievable. Seeing them stand-together in unison and hitting every note perfectly, was just so surreal. After The Chain, they broke into Dreams, new song Sad Angel, Rhiannon, Not That Funny, Tusk, and then Sisters of the Moon (to the crowd’s pleasure). On Sisters of the Moon, which hadn’t been played since the 1982 Mirage Tour, Mac hit every note and you could tell that Stevie was utterly pleased to be singing the song again, given it’s so near and dear to her heart. After Sisters of the Moon, they continued the set by playing Sara, Big Love, and then Landslide. Lindsey and Stevie performed Landslide as a duet, which was amazing as they were so in-tune with each other and at the end, hugged/kissed/held hands. It was awesome to witness. The concert kept going and Mac performed Never Going Back, Without You, Gypsy, Eyes of the World, Gold Dust Woman, I’m So Afraid, Stand Back, and then they closed out the main set with Go Your Own Way. I must say, the guitar solos on Sisters of the Moon, I’m So Afraid, and Go Your Own Way were absolutely incredible. Lindsey’s energy and passion was extremely phenomenal. He was jumping up and down, smiling, getting fans involved, sweating, etc. It was like he was having the time of his life. We touched his guitar multiple times during the solos when he got close to the crowd, which was exhilarating to do. Mac came back out to do World Turning, Don’t Stop, and then Silver Springs in their first encore set, before returning for one more encore. In the final song encore / song of the night, Lindsey/Stevie performed another duet together – Say Goodbye. One quick note on Silver Springs – we were keying in on Stevie and Lindsey’s eye contact and body language with each other. I didn’t feel like they have as much tension anymore during that song and overall throughout the concert, it truly seems like they’re having more fun-together than ever. It was utterly amazing to witness.

I have seen Stevie / Mac 11 times in total, including 1st row before and within the first 5 rows several times, including her 2007 PBS Soundstage Sessions show in Chicago. I truly felt in Philadelphia that her and Mac performed the best I’ve ever seen them perform. Although in Mac shows Stevie does not talk as much, it’s awesome that they all let their music do the talking (as the lyrics tell true stories and they concentrate on hitting every note to perfection). It was truly an amazing experience that I’ll never forget, nor will my friends Brittany and Maddie. Next up – we’re excited to see Mac in Connecticut on Saturday 4/20!

Rock On,



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