AP PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW
(submitted by Peter, 'Nickslive' of The LegBoard)
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Two of the most ridiculously lame and boring people on the PLANET sat next to me. Literally, these people didn't speak to each other, didn't move or dance or sing or anything the entire time. They either stood there completely still, or sat down (mostly the latter) and bugged the shit out of me. Thankfully there was a REALLY cool guy sitting next to Valerie. His name was Brett and he flew in from Louisiana all by himself to see the Mac on their opening night. We chatted all night and shared the moments with him...he really knew what was going on, including the speculated set list, etc.....he's a Stevie and Lindsey romantic, too...and freaked out over all the little interactions on stage, too. lol Seriously, Valerie and I went insanely wild. We danced and sang our fool asses off, I swear. We didn't sit down once (nor did our new friend Brett) for the entire 2 1/2 hour 25 song set. We laughed, we cried, we screamed, we sweated, we hugged....it was an unbelievably incredible night. Going through something so emotional and beautiful together was a major bonding experience for us especially since Stevie and Fleetwood Mac are the very reason we became friends in the first place. I've NEVER had more fun at a concert, ever. There's just nothing like seeing your favorite band with someone who loves and adores them as much as you do...and is willing to pull out all the stops and have a BLAST. Although I have seen the Mac live before and they did, indeed, blow the roof off the place....there was just something SPECIAL about this particular performance. The energy and overall vibe was just electric. MAGIC. Ok, here's my song-by-song review and some observations and details: The Chain ~ Incredible energy! It took Stevie a few minutes to warm up and get over her initial nervousness but once she did, it was AMAZING. I'm glad they went ahead and opened with this, despite initial plans to do 'Eyes' instead. It still packs a powerful punch, even without Christine. Dreams ~ Perfection. I've heard many MANY live versions of this song and I have to say that this one was as good as any. Eyes of the World ~ TOTALLY ROCKED OUT! Valerie and I were dancing like maniacs, even doing our own little funky choreography to the 'eyes eyes eyes' part. Musically and vocally tight...they pulled it off fantastically! Peacekeeper ~ The best live version I've heard yet. It blew the Today Show and Tonight Show versions out of the water. Lindsey sang 'Only Kill' instead of 'Break their will' and the audience went WILD! Say You Will ~ Stevie's vocals were dead on...sounded BETTER than the album version. There was plenty of good Stevie/Lindsey interaction here. They were singing to each other throughout the majority of it. *squee* Never Going Back Again ~ Eh. It was good, don't get me wrong....it's just not a favorite. The harmony was great, though. Rhiannon ~ Great as always...but Stevie has dropped her vocal down a couple of notes. Still, it worked out and she sounded GREAT. The band was really 'on' with this one, too. Gypsy ~ I bawled. Beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL! They projected scenes from the video on the crescent moon screens behind them and it was breathtaking. I wish Stevie had twirled along with her video self but she didn't. Still...it was wonderful and really touched me (as always). Come ~ OH MY GOD. This is a POWERHOUSE live! Valerie and I sweated our asses off rocking out to this one.....Lindsey was on FIRE. Excellent, excellent. The crowd ate it up which is a surprise since it's a new song. YAY LINDSEY! He broke a guitar string during this one...he was pounding the crap outta that thing! Running Through the Garden ~ This song was CREATED for live performances! I seriously think this blew the album version out the water completely because it gained a harder edge and less of the 80's feel of the studio version. Stevie's voice was incredible here....and the energy is GREAT. Big Love ~ Lindsey prefaced it by saying that this was the last single he had with FM before leaving the band in '87 and that he was a lonely man living on a hill when he wrote it...and that things had changed now; he was still living on a hill but now he had his beautiful wife and beautiful children and things were much better. *gag* He then proceeded to get halfway through and the guitar came unplugged. His tech Ray came out and fixed it...and he picked the song up again right in the middle effortlessly and finished it beautifully. A big crowd pleaser, this one. Valerie and I joked that the reason the guitar issues came about was because he jinxed himself by speaking about his wife. ;) Landslide ~ Beautiful, as always. At the end Stevie and Lindsey hugged.....THEN she took Lindsey's face in her hands and kissed him on the mouth softly. OH MY GOD! I thought V and I were going to DIE! *tingles* Say Goodbye ~ This is a touching song, yes...and you can tell it's hard for Stevie because the pain was all over here face while singing it. They didn't share a mic (like rumours stated) but they did sing it looking right at each other. Intense. Lindsey's guitar sounded a little off to me, though; kind of tinny. Still, it was emotional and came off really well. What's the World Coming To ~ Eh, not my favorite song. Don't get me wrong...it sounded great. Really musically tight and the vocals were dead on. I just think it lacks emotional punch. Destiny Rules ~ OH WOW. Stevie's vocals were amazing...she hit all the notes and sounded FABULOUS. She sang most of it looking at Lindsey (and he at her)...their harmony was WONDERFUL. Valerie and I kept noticing that everytime she sang the 'we're just following the rules...no one's a fool' part she SMIRKED. Beautiful Child ~ Most definitely the highlight of the entire show for me. Hearing this live made my day, my week, my YEAR. Stevie prefaced it by saying that it was a song from the Tusk album and that she never ever thought they'd do it live. She then proceeded to completely enrapture the audience with it; the look on her face, her voice and her entire demeanor just MESMERIZED me. It was beyond gorgeous. Honestly, it was like the only thing in the world that mattered at that moment was Stevie standing there on that stage singing this beautiful, tragic song. When she sang the 'I'm old enough to reach for the sky' part I raised both my arms in the air at the exact same time she did....I was completely tuned in to her at that moment and it just knocked me out. Something I will never EVER forget. Tears streamed down my face and when she finished it (in true Stevie style by improvising the final lyrics) I couldn't help myself from screaming "Thank you, Stevie!" Gold Dust Woman ~ Kick ass, as always! She wore the gold shawl (as always) and did the cool 'pale shadow of a woman' silhoutte which I love. The audience loved it....of course. :) I'm So Afraid ~ Another musically WOW moment. It rocked out hard....REALLY hard. So hard that the little girl (around 12) in front of us had a seizure during the end of it when the lights, guitars and the drums are so intense. Thankfully she was ok....she actually started to calm down and got herself together once Stevie started singing 'Silver Springs.' Silver Springs ~ Vocally powerful. Stevie danced during the guitar solo...adorable. She actually sang the end TO Lindsey, too...which was kind of a surprise. I thought they might tone down the interaction on this one since it's 'their song'...and Lindsey's all married now. Stevie didn't hold back, though. YAY! Tusk ~ Another WOW song! The instrumental was fabulous, despite the loss of Christine on accordion. Lindsey went CRAZY on this one....coming over to play with John and then moving up to Stevie where he put his head on her shoulder a la Mirage) and proceeded to basically hump the front of her/her leg/her side with his guitar and torso as he wailed on it. Stevie kept trying to kind of move away from him and avoid tripping over the guitar wire while smiling broadly. He wouldn't let her get away from him, though....it was so damned cool! Stand Back ~ Energy energy ENERGY! Stevie always shreds this one live and this was no exception. She moved the most during this one and seriously kicked it's ASS. The crowd went completely insane. Valerie and I danced our silly selves half to death here and sang our head off! Go Your Own Way ~ A huge crowd pleaser..everyone was dancing and singing along. World Turning/Mick's drum solo ~ Yet ANOTHER WOW MOMENT! Stevie sang Christine's part in this really deep and powerful voice and completely made it her OWN. I'm so glad they did this one...it it was definitely a highlight for me. Mick's drum solo and drumvest playing was cool and definitely got the audience pumping. Some people don't particularly care for it especially when Mick plays his balls (he places a drum pad in his crotch, lol) but the crown seemed to be eating it up, myself included. It wasn't too long, thankfully (I thought The Dance tour version was a little long) and it worked, IMO. Don't Stop ~ Stevie sang Christine's parts and it was SO cool and so different! She did a great job...and the crowd went wild. Goodbye Baby ~ Simply beautiful. Touching and endearing...and the crowd was so respectful. I wasn't sure how this one would go over as a show closer but everyone seemed to really love it. Emotional, for certain....even Lindsey seemed to be calmed down and really feeling the profundity of the lyrics. Stevie wore the customary black dress and that little black cardigan she had on for the 'Tonight Show' performances. She changed it halfway through for a little sparkly one, though. She wore three different shawls....'Gold Dust' 'Stand Back' and at the end. Blood red nails, dangly earrings and the boots completed the look. Her hair looked good, but I think those long bangs are going to get on her nerves. She kept having to tuck them back behind her ear. She smiled MUCH...a real treat. Stevie is gorgeous when she smiles and she just doesn't do it enough! Lindsey looked GOOOOOOOOD as usual. He was so energetic and genuinely looked like he was having the time of his life! White shirt, black pants. Mick wore the knickers and vest! John was sporting that red and white Hawaiian shirt and jeans. Typical John McVie. :) Brett Tuggle played keyboards...Carlos Rio played backup guitar (with some other guy who's name I don't recall) and there were two additional drummers to assist on the more complex arrangements. The new album has a ton of drum and guitar layers that require extra players to pull it off. The result was a rich and POWERFUL sound.
I also have to note that there was MAJOR Stevie and Lindsey chemistry there last night. They came out with their arms around each other in the beginning...and holding hands tightly when they returned for the encores. At one point Lindsey even raised her hand and kissed it. For all the fans who were worried that Lindsey's marriage was going to ruin the onstage SnL intimacy...STOP WORRYING. It's there, my friends!
It was more than a
great show....and I was about to pass out from being so sick but then when they
started playing I almost forgot how sick I was and at that point I just wanted
to pass out b/c I was seeing them and they were AWESOME!!!!! Right now I don't think anything was dropped or added but I will have to check
tomorrow... Rhiannon was great like always, she did not spin though. It was
better then TISL. I love Rhiannon too and I will tell you what all there songs
were so good and the new songs were even wonderful that Rhiannon didn't stand
out as much. Not to take anything away from it but you will just love every
minute of the entire concert.
What can I say about opening
night...hmmm....perhaps it ROCKED!!! Opening night I cant believe I was
there for it...I live in Cindy and when I found out that's where they
were opening the tour I told my friend Jeff we have to go...it was well
worth the 400 bucks we shelled out for third row center seats not to
mention the long rainy ride there's real long way to go to say
goodbye..lol...from the opening chords of "the chain" till the very last
note of "goodbye baby" we were on our feet...as I'm sure everyone else
was made it real hard to tell when the crowd was giving them a standing
ovation...lol...but I'm sure they new how much the crowd appreciated
everything they did to pull off this spectacular event....its funny just
when you think you've seen them for the last time...they come back for
more...I do hope that as Lindsey has said in some recent interviews that
he and stevie sit down together and write new material for the !
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Rated "5" by Natt 
Not only is his guitar playing awesome but everyone in the band was
awesome...nothing I mean NOTHING like what we saw on Leno. Oh Beautiful Child
will make you cry and Stevie in all her songs sounded great, way better then in
TISL...World Turning and Don't stop, she was very cute in her parts and she just
did an amazing job singing! I was on the floor and could see them well but I was
in Sec 6 last row but for the last song (goodbye baby and it was awesome too)
tons of people left b/c they thought it was over...well we ran up to about the
15 row and got some great pictures I hope! ok now you guys ask me some questions
I have a million things running through my head right now! Oh Mickman, running
through the garden was great too it was right after Come though so I was still
in awe of that song.
by Bob