Fleetwood Mac

Arriving at the venue I am greeted by a huge crowd at the box office. The theory we came up with is that the postal strike meant more people chose to collect their tickets at the venue rather than risk them emigrating in the post, equalling the largest queue I have seen here. Luckily Fleetwood Mac, who have no support act, push back their start time to give people a chance to get to their rather expensive seats.

The arena is packed to the brim, although the sound desk is just over halfway into the floor area and behind that is empty. What a waste, I'm sure many would have stood there and squirmed for a view for half the price.

The stage has a simple set up, with what look like four huge yoga mats that are repositioned over the band and used as clever backdrops. The lighting makes the show, with bright bold whites and purples turning into lava lamp style blobs.



Tonight's 'Unleashed' tour features many of the oldish guys from the 1977 Rumours tour; Lindsey Buckingham on guitar, Stevie Nicks on vocals and the odd tambourine, namesakes Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass, plus backing vocalists and extra backing musicians.

Most of the show is based around Buckingham and Nicks, and the crowd love it every time they give the impression that the couple that go way back are finally warming to each other again. Not to be a sceptic but the cuddle through 'Sara', though nice to see, and the odd smile still seemed strained and portrayed two performers putting on a good act in the most difficult circumstances. Really the show should be about the entire band, not just these two. We definitely need more Mick Fleetwood, the guy is a legend!

With Fleetwood sat in front of a huge cymbal and having access to two drum kits, it is a shame that himself and McVie are left at the back for the majority of the show. Their sharp beats on 'Oh Well' stand out in the show for me, as a break from the duo of Buckingham and Nicks.



Speaking of the main two, Nicks receives more wolf whistles and nice comments than I can remember at a recent gig. The several dress changes (including the top hat and tails) and dances with a golden shawl show Nicks as a performer in her own sultry way. The gothic style of clothes and black ribbons on her mic fit in well with her unique style of delivery, though her vocal abilities have dwindled ever so slightly over the years. The backing singers try to make up the layered vocals, but the absence of Christine Perfect / McVie is obvious.

Buckingham goes to impress with his incredible guitar skills. The acoustic version of 'Big Love' that he performs solo shows that for all the years of assuming the guitar parts were layered and played by many, it is just Buckingham that performs them alone. His guitar solo on 'So Afraid' with added jumps when the guitar squeals appears too long for some folk in the audience, though it receives a standing ovation. Nice work... He also includes his own solo work with 1984's 'Go Insane' from the album of the same name.



All of the tracks are post 1975 (with the first known ones from their second eponymous album) up to those included on 1987's hit 'Tango In The Night'. A retired Christine's penned songs are left in, although 'Little Lies' is absent. Stand out tracks for me are the amazing solo work on 'Big Love', I think it should have been released this way to begin with. Other stand outs are the soft 'Rhiannon', 'Dreams', and 'You Can Go Your Own Way' where nearly everyone is stood up.

So the show was a mix of solo showmanship, attempted reconciliation, solid beats and good memories for many of the crowd, who on average are the same age as the performers. There is a promise of a new album on the way. Let's just hope all can be truly forgiven at a later time, as the strains are still there despite not being so fresh.

Set list:
Monday Morning
The Chain
Dreams
I Know I'm Not Wrong
Gypsy
Go Insane
Rhiannon
Second Hand News
Tusk
Sara
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back
Storms
Say You Love Me
Gold Dust Woman
Oh Well
So Afraid
Stand Back
Go Your Own Way

World Turning
Don't Stop
Silver Springs

FUTURE GIGS

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