It was May of 2013 when Fleetwood Mac graced the Saddledome stage. Despite the short turnaround of a year and a half, the band’s November 14th concert sold out the arena again. It’s not a surprise – their 1977 album Rumours is one of the top selling albums of all time, and the band has a long list of memorable hits that have been part of defining moments in the lives of their fans. Add in the return of Christine McVie after an absence of 16 years, and the 13,500 in attendance, we were ready for a special night. For the many of us who grew up on the music of Fleetwood Mac, it was a trip down memory lane.
The band – Mick Fleetwood (drums), Lindsay Buckingham (guitar/vocals), John McVie (Bass), Christine McVie (Keyboards/vocals) and Stevie Nicks (Vocals) – took the stage and immediately launched into a selection from Rumours - "The Chain", "You Make Loving Fun", "Dreams", and "Second Hand News" were all received ecstatically by the audience, who sang along and saved some of the loudest reactions for Christine McVie when she would take vocals or talk to the audience. Nick’s stunning version of "Rhiannon" saw her swirl about the stage, remaining a captivating presence at 61.
While the show was, perhaps, more technically proficient rather then passionate, Fleetwood Mac delivered with nearly three hours of music. The hits just kept coming – "Seven Wonders" and "Big Love" led into what was easily one of the highlights of the night: Nicks and Buckingham, alone on stage, for a stunning version of "Landslide" – which clearly triggered many emotions and some tears in the audience.
That connection is why after nearly five decades Fleetwood Mac can still sell out arenas around the world. The songs they wrote through different incarnations at a personal level are something that resonates with anyone. Through marriage and divorce (John and Christine McVie; Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks) through the death of former band members, through break ups and reunions, both musically and as individuals they have tapped into life experiences that we all have. Even a casual fan recognizes many of the songs; they have been weaved into our collective consciousness.
The familiars kept coming – "Gypsy", "Little Lies", "Gold Dust Woman" – there were drum solos and guitar solos and everything that one expects from an arena concert. By the time the main set ended with "Go Your Own Way", the band could have gone on their way and fans would have been satisfied. But there was more – two encores that included "World Turning", 13,500 voices singing along to "Don’t Stop", "Silver Springs" and "Songbird". Despite being in their mid 60s to early 70s, they worked hard and put on a better and longer show than many current bands, with their 90 minutes and out the door sets.
To see Fleetwood Mac, period, is a treat. To see the Rumours line up, complete and in person, made for something extra special.
