REVIEW: A Defiant Fleetwood Mac Lights Up The Night In Boston

Concert Review | Fleetwood Mac rises to occasion at TD Garden
By Dan O’Leary
Tuftsdaily.com

Fleetwood Mac held its first concert in Boston since 2009 last Thursday at TD Garden, and effects from Monday’s events could still be felt as concertgoers entered the building. Attendees faced increased security checks and ushers waved flyers printed with the suspects’ faces as they scanned tickets. It all led to the question: Is there a place for music in all of this? The band’s answer to this was a defiant “yes,” as Fleetwood Mac rose to the occasion and put on a powerful concert that was highly appreciated by the nearly sold-out crowd. Lead singer Stevie Nicks summed it up best in her early remarks to the crowd:

“When I used to run into hard times I’d ask my mom, ‘What do I do?’ And she’d say ‘You can sing for them, you can give them music.’ So that’s what we’re going to do for you tonight.”

And sing they did. Fleetwood Mac’s commitment to delivering that night for Boston was evident from the concert’s opening one-two punch of “Second Hand News” into “The Chain.” Drummer Mick Fleetwood kicked off the evening playing the song’s drum intro with a manic energy, leading into a jubilant rendition of the opener from the band’s classic “Rumors” (1977). The energy level remained high with the band firing on all cylinders for “The Chain,” displaying all the impressive aspects about Thursday’s concert, with harmonizing between Buckingham and Nicks, impressive guitar-work by Buckingham and a rock-solid rhythm section — John McVie’s iconic bass riff on the track rumbled and shook the building.

As to be expected, with no recent album to promote, though the band played two new tracks from an upcoming EP, the setlist was quite heavy on material from “Rumors.” One of the most pleasant surprises of the evening, however, was a mini-set devoted to “Tusk” (1979), the band’s underrated “Rumors” follow-up. Buckingham kicked off this portion of the concert with energetic takes on “Not That Funny” and the title track, which allowed for an impressive display of his trademark fingerpicking guitar style.

But what was easily the highlight of the “Tusk” mini-set was Stevie Nicks’ haunting take on the gem “Sisters of the Moon,” a song that hasn’t been performed by Fleetwood Mac in over 30 years. While Nicks’ voice has lost some of its range due to age, she knew her limits and played it to her advantage, giving “Sisters” a brooding quality. Nicks was spot on in many of her signature songs throughout the night, with highlights including a beautiful version of “Dreams” and a powerful take on “Gold Dust Woman.”

The other MVP of the night was Buckingham on guitar, who had as many show-stopping moments as Nicks. The peak of Buckingham’s performance came in an incendiary 10-minute performance of “I’m So Afraid,” with Buckingham letting loose a passionate guitar solo that brought on a standing ovation once the song was finished. Buckingham performed with this passion throughout the night, coloring many of the concert’s songs with inventive playing, such as his impressive solo acoustic take on “Big Love.”

Regarding Buckingham and Nicks, many in attendance were there to see the chemistry between the former partners. The history between the two has been a theme throughout Fleetwood Mac’s career, and Thursday’s concert offered a glimpse at a pair that finally seemed to be getting along. This relationship was best reflected in the evening’s final encore, where a beautiful rendition by Nicks of “Silver Springs” led into “Say Goodbye,” leaving the two alone on stage and giving a sense of closure to the evening.

Despite any reservations about holding a concert so soon after the Boston Marathon, Fleetwood Mac delivered in spades and provided those in the crowd a brief respite from the tension that had filled the week, with a concert marked by many emotional moments. While dedicating a song to a wounded Iraq veteran in the crowd who Nicks had met many years ago, she became visibly teary and choked up as she said the final words of her intro.

“And that’s what your city does, they called him back [to life]. I would want to be in this city.…I love this city.”

And with that Nicks went on to perform a perfect rendition of “Landslide,” leaving many members of the audience in tears as they sang along. This moment showed why Thursday night was more than just a concert; it showed the power of music to uplift, even in the face of something as horrific as Monday’s events. And based on their wildly enthusiastic reaction to a triumphant version of “Don’t Stop,” dedicated to Boston, it seemed like the crowd agreed.

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac "We brought you 2 1/2 hours of kick ass music Boston" - Stevie Nicks

Fleetwood Mac Live in Boston at TD Garden April 18th
by Matthew Shelter
Relix Magazine

Fleetwood Mac doesn’t really have to prove anything to anyone at this point in their career, but that doesn’t mean they are simply going through the motions. Bringing their 2013 tour to Boston on an unsettled night in the wake of the Marathon bombings, the four veteran members of the band – Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham – showed why their appeal has lasted as long as it has. They put on an old master’s performance before a welcoming crowd of 20,000 at Boston’s TD Garden.

The set list has not changed dramatically from their two previous tours, in 2009 and 2003, and includes most of the songs their predominantly Baby Boomer fan base will want to hear. Of course, it’s hard to argue with any set list that starts off with “Second Hand News,” “The Chain,” “Dreams,” and also includes the likes of “Rhiannon,” “Sara,” “Landslide,” “Gypsy,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Silver Springs.”

But there were some unexpected gems throughout the two-and-a-half-hour set. They debuted a pair of new songs – “Sad Angel” and “Without You” – that were both worth sticking around for (meaning don’t use them for the obligatory beer and bathroom run). The latter of these Nicks called a “lost track” from the Rumours sessions. “It was actually a poem I wrote to Lindsey before we even moved to L.A.,” she said, in the first blush of new love. “This was definitely before we hit the hard times.” Somehow she came across a demo of it recently on YouTube, of all places, and brought it to the band’s attention. After listening, Mick told her “These are the voices and the phrasings that we heard that made us want to have you in our band.” It’s an acoustic number that feels very 1975, and carries echoes of another California classic, the Dead’s “Uncle John’s Band.”

The middle of the show featured a solo acoustic version by Buckingham of “Big Love,” which has become something of a signature tune for him. It’s easy to forget just how good a guitar player Lindsey Buckingham truly is, until reminded of it by seeing him in concert. His fingerpicking guitar play seems only to get better as he ages, and he was the most energetic member of the band on the Boston stage, repeatedly moving to the very edge of the stage to play only inches from the front row of fans. He came close to stealing the show with an extended, fiery solo during “I’m So Afraid” – one that brought the crowd to its feet and, in his only nod to advancing age, forced Buckingham to put his hands on his knees and catch his breath for a moment or two at song’s end.

Stevie Nicks may no longer be the whirling gypsy of the late 1970s, but her singular voice has lost none of its emotional depth. Clad in a silky black dress and 4-inch heels, she did throw in a few twirls during “Gypsy,” as if to show that she’s still got it, and reached into the dress-up box for a gold shawl and black top hat during a stellar version of “Gold Dust Woman.”

The band made note at several times through the evening of Boston’s trying week; the show was the first major concert in the city following the Marathon attacks. “We’re so happy you all came out night,” Nicks said near the end of the evening. “We know what you’re going through. You and New York are the toughest cities. You are definitely Boston Strong.”

STEVIE NICKS:
"We brought you 2 1/2 hours of kick ass music Boston!... This party starts NOW!"

Amid The Chaos - Fleetwood Mac Pack TD Garden

Photo by: Sara Vroman

FLEETWOOD MAC PACKS THEM IN - BOSTON 4/18/13

Amid all the chaos that's been plaguing Boston this week, it's a wonder anyone felt like celebrating Fleetwood Mac's return to the Boston area.  But they did, fans packed the TD Garden last night turning out in droves for a 2 1/2 hour respite.

The show began with Fleetwood Mac displaying the "Hearts For Boston" solidarity drawing designed by local Boston artist Dan Blakeslee on the jumbo back drop behind the band on stage and ended with "Boston Stong" blazed across the screen during the encores.  In between these two gestures of support for the people of Boston, Fleetwood Mac's 23 song unchanged setlist didn't disappoint with multiple words of encouragement from the band including Stevie's dedication of "Landslide" to the city and Mick acknowledging that the city is going through a rough time and to 'don't stop' thinking about tomorrow' prior to launching into the song. The show ended with Stevie telling everyone to keep their chin up, cause you are "Boston Strong" and you will make it! (Video below)

"Hearts for Boston" designed by Dan Blakeslee - More information here

By: Bill Brotherton
Boston Herald

Fleetwood Mac did Boston proud! There was certainly a lot of love for the city and its people radiating from the TD Garden stage Thursday night. After the electric opening one-two punch of “Second Hand News” and “The Chain,” vocalist Stevie Nicks addressed the near-capacity crowd. “When I was young and I was sad or blue because of hard times, my mama told me to sing, that it would make me feel better. And that’s what we’re going to do for two-and-a-half hours. We’re going to sing the blues right out of Boston.” Later, Nicks dedicated ‘Landslide” to a soldier, Vincent, she met at Walter Reed hospital, and his Boston family. “They are Boston strong,” she said. 

Drummer Mick Fleetwood introduced “Don’t Stop” thusly: 

“Boston. What a city. Goodness, we know what you’re going through. Remember the message of the song, ‘Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. It’ll be better than before. Yesterday’s gone. Yesterday’s gone.” 

The audience joined in on the chorus, turning it into an empowering cathartic experience. That song, of course, was written by retired member Christine McVie. The band certainly has a different dynamic in concert without her. Not better, not worse, just different. Fleetwood Mac these days has evolved into the Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks Show with founding members Fleetwood and bassist John McVie relegated to backing-band status. If Nicks is the caring, new agey earth mother, guitarist Buckingham is the mad genius who orchestrates everything. He stayed on stage for the entire show, delivering one spine-tingling guitar solo after another. He is a bit show-offy, but the guy ranks with the all-time great guitarists and I dare say his 10-minute blast through “I’m So Afraid” will likely be the best shredding a Boston audience will see this year. This is the riff that launched 1,001 air guitar solos in front of bedroom mirrors all across America in the mid-‘70s and it remains totally awesome. And Buckingham does it all on an undersized guitar that’s not much bigger than a ukelele. This is the Mac’s first tour in three years and the band was firing on all cylinders. So many great songs, all delivered with gusto: “Rhiannnon,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Gypsy” and the solo hit “Stand Back” from husky-voiced, whirling dervish Nicks; “Go Your Own Way,” a solo acoustic “Never Going Back Again” and “Tusk” from Buckingham. More than half of the 23 songs performed came from those three masterful 1970s albums “Fleetwood Mac,” the 35-year-old “Rumours” and the indulgent, underappreciated “Tusk.” Although the crowd came to hear the hits, this is no mere nostalgia act. A new song, “Sad Angel,” from an upcoming EP, rocked with abandon and featured the familiar, glorious Nicks/Buckingham harmonies. It was also endearing to see the two former lovers walk on stage holding hands. Fleetwood Mac will return to Massachusetts on June 21, at Mansfield’s Comcast Center. By then, the heavy hearts of the band and its Boston Strong fans should be less dark. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, indeed.

Fleetwood Mac offers rock, respite from unnerving week
By Marc Hirsh
Boston Globe

Two songs into Thursday’s Fleetwood Mac concert, Stevie Nicks related a conversation she once had with her mother. What could she do to help, Nicks asked, in hard times? Her mother’s response: Sing. A simplistic solution, perhaps, but mere days after the Marathon bombing (and hours before the chaotic manhunt for the suspects would shut the city down), 2½ hours of music seemed to serve the near-sellout TD Garden crowd just fine.

In that time, Fleetwood Mac (who swing back around to the Comcast Center on June 21) covered quite a bit of ground: hits, a told-you-so segment focused on the once-misunderstood/now-cultishly-adored “Tusk,” a song that so predated Nicks’s and Lindsey Buckingham’s Mac days that they’d forgotten about it until stumbling across the demo on YouTube and a new song. And more hits. So many hits.

And only one of them — the optimistic “Don’t Stop,” inevitable even before the week’s events — by Christine McVie, who hamstrung the set list by having annoyingly left the band 15 years ago. But it was hard to know what would have been cut to make room for her. Buckingham spat through the clamorous new wave garage rock of “Not That Funny” with vigor and rode out the pained, lumbering “I’m So Afraid” with an increasingly intense guitar solo. “Sara” found Nicks singing to Buckingham, then taking his microphone before peeling off into a small but sweet dance with him.

Save for the riff setting up the coda of “The Chain,” bassist John McVie did all he could to avoid calling attention to himself. Mick Fleetwood took a drum solo during “World Turning,” but he hardly needed it; the off-kilter thumps pushing each song forward and the fervor with which he attacked them were spotlight enough. He seemed to know it, too, capping a ferocious “Tusk” — its glowering paranoia writ arena-sized — by leaping to his feet and throwing his arms into the air.

But songs like that one, “Big Love,” and “Gold Dust Woman” notwithstanding, Fleetwood Mac wasn’t just about tension. Buckingham and Nicks harmonized ebulliently on the chorus of the fine, upbeat new “Sad Angel,” while the rolling drums gave “Eyes of the World” a headlong drive. And the elegiac “Silver Springs” helped draw the show to a close with its slow rise and reset, and slow rise again. As Fleetwood Mac knows quite well, singing together can get people through plenty of difficulty.


Iconic rock group buoys Boston fans in midst of chaos
BY LAUREN CARTER
THE SUN CHRONICLE

BOSTON - Boston has been a city on edge, but Fleetwood Mac helped to take the edge off with a dazzling 2 1/2-hour show at the TD Garden on Thursday night.

While officers in a regional response team stood ready with assault rifles outside the venue in the wake of the Boston Marathon explosions, the legendary pop/rock group charmed a packed house of fans - mostly of the middle-aged variety - inside the Garden.

The group's 23-song show mixed classic hits with lesser-known material and two new songs off a forthcoming EP.
There were the time-tested Mac standards, including "Don't Stop," "Dreams" and the title track off of "Tusk," the 1979 album that subverted the formula of its wildly successful predecessor "Rumours," which has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.

And there were the less typical live numbers, including "Not That Funny," a gorgeous "Sara" and the dark, moody "Sisters of the Moon."

This is the group's first tour in three years (they're set to return to the area on June 21 at the Comcast Center, and tickets are still available), but their sound remains crisp and their chemistry electric.

Fleetwood is the dependable yet zany drummer, and his solo during "World Turning" put the 65-year-old's youthful spirit on display. John McVie remains stoic on bass, taking the spotlight during rare but key moments, such as the sinewy interlude during "The Chain."

Lindsey Buckingham is the group's glue - Fleetwood called him "our mentor, our inspiration."

The singer/songwriter and guitarist performed masterfully throughout the night, especially on the acoustic stunner "Big Love" and a powerful "I'm So Afraid," which drew a standing ovation. He seemed almost as excited as the crowd at the end of songs, shouting and fist-pumping like he'd just won a competition, gray hair the only sign of his age.

Stevie Nicks remains the group's mystical chanteuse, taking center stage on classics like "Rhiannon," "Gold Dust Woman," "Silver Springs," "Landslide" and solo hit "Stand Back," bedecked with all the familiar accessories: a microphone draped in beads and scarves, a tambourine decorated with ribbons, layered black dresses, platform boots, shawls giving way to more shawls. Her voice was in fine form - the best she's sounded since 1997's "The Dance."

After the second encore, just before leaving the stage, Nicks called Boston "one of the strongest cities in the world."

"You're tough," she said. "You'll get through this, and next year your fantastic race will be run, like always."

PARTING WORDS FROM STEVIE:

LANDSLIDE:
GOLD DUST WOMAN:
THE CHAIN:
SISTERS OF THE MOON:
Unfortunately, the audio is a bit distored, visually it looks great and Stevie rocks on this... Check out more from this youtuber DGB519 here

BIG LOVE:

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