NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL TO COVER LAKE WITH SEATS FOR FLEETWOOD MAC

NZHerald

by: Scott Kara

So, Fleetwood Mac are coming to New Zealand. That's great, because even though the band's classic albums - Rumours (1977) and Tusk (1979) - were a little before my time, I've always had a crush on Stevie Nicks, with her long mane of blonde hair and lacy hippy frocks.

And it's even better that the band is playing in my hometown of New Plymouth at my favourite venue in the world, the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands.

However, sorry to spoil the party, but the gig might not be all it's cracked up to be. You see, what makes the Bowl unique, apart from the natural grass bowl, is the lake in front of the stage. For Fleetwood Mac (and Cliff Richard and the Shadows in February), the New Plymouth District Council is plonking a 1000-seat platform over the lake. Having been to many concerts at the bowl, including seeing Tim Finn row across the lake during Six Months In a Leaky Boat, I have to say it won't be the same without the lake.

By the sound of it, the introduction of the platform was a deciding factor for New Plymouth scoring Fleetwood Mac's only New Zealand show because the band insisted it would make for a more "intimate" gig.

Then again, why couldn't they say to Stevie and the lads that they'd happily put on a row boat for them to use? I don't mind rowing them across.