36,000 PREDICTED AT FLEETWOOD MAC NEW PLYMOUTH SHOWS

Beds scarce during Fleetwood Mac weekend
Stuff.co.nz

Accommodation for Fleetwood Mac's December 20 concert is almost sold out in New Plymouth, with out-of-towners being referred to Stratford and Hawera for beds.

But those keen on the outdoors will be able to camp a mere two-minute walk from the TSB Bowl of Brooklands where the concert is being held.

The New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki Arts Festival Trust have opened Pukekura Raceway up for camping. The racecourse has room for 3000 people.

Taft chief executive Suzanne Porter says the campsite will be set up the same as it is for Womad.

"If you have come to the Womad campsite, you will know what it's about," she says.

"We have good showers and toilets it's not grungy."

Camping vouchers are available from Ticketmaster today.

For Friday and Saturday nights, the cost is $40 per person and for Sunday night, it's $20 per person.

Many wanting a campsite at the racecourse have already registered at New Plymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre for their tickets.

The Saturday, December 19, Fleetwood Mac concert sold out within 10 minutes on Wednesday.

A second concert the next night was announced shortly afterwards, with tickets selling rapidly.

It is likely about 36,000 people will pass through the TSB Bowl of Brooklands gates in a 24-hour period.

Taranaki Motel Association president Deborah Tawa says most New Plymouth motels are fully booked for the Sunday show.

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Second show as Fleetwood Mac sells out
Taranaki Daily News

Fleetwood Mac fever hit overdrive yesterday as tickets for the international group's New Plymouth concert on December 19 sold out within minutes.

Promoters immediately announced a second concert for December 20, which means 36,000 people will likely pass through the TSB Bowl of Brooklands gates in a 24-hour period.

Thousands of tickets for the second Sunday show sold within half an hour.

New Plymouth District Council manager of business developments and events Garry Sharpe-Young said organisers anticipated tickets would sell fast.

"The promoter was trying to get hold of all the band managers to see about a second show and it was all very last minute and just in the nick of time," Mr Sharpe-Young said.

"The tickets for the second show are going very well and fast. It's just fantastic for Taranaki and it's great for the venue."

Taranaki Motel Association president Deborah Tawa says there is no motel accommodation for December 19 left in the region.

"We have been frantic," Mrs Tawa said yesterday.

"Accommodation for the first concert is well and truly gone, we filled up in five days two weeks ago."

There are still rooms available for the Sunday concert on December 20 but they are running out rapidly.

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GETTING FLEETWOOD MAC TOGETHER FOR ONE LAST TOUR

Lindsey Buckingham: Getting Fleetwood Mac Back Together, for One Last Tour

By Andy Threlfall
Blackbookmag.com

The tangled web that's the story of Fleetwood Mac is easily one of rock and roll's, well, quirkiest. A once-quintessentially English blues band came to be the sound of California dreaming in the mid-70s when, seemingly washed up and on the verge of permanent disbandment, drummer Mick Fleetwood asked L.A. husband and wife singer-songwriting team Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to join the group in one last desperate throw of the musical dice. The rest was multi-platinum history; Rumours still boasts a place in the top-ten selling albums ever. But while the songs have endured, the addictions, the divorces, the petty band politic chipped away at their legacy for 30 years. Here, a reflective Lindsey Buckingham tries to find new meaning in those lost days of summer, and how being lucky enough to survive them has allowed Fleetwood Mac to get on stage one more time for their 2009 World Tour.

So: how’d this reunion come about?

In 2001, I wrote some material with the intention of putting out a solo album that actually ended up being the last Fleetwood Mac album [2003’s Say You Will]. My album got shelved, and a lot of my songs ended up being used on the Fleetwood Mac album. But I still had a few unfinished songs, so on my last solo album (Gift Of Screws), I was lucky enough to get Mick Fleetwood and John McVie to play on a few of the tracks. That was the start of a new discussion about taking Fleetwood Mac back out on the road in 2009.

Had you tried to dutifully maintain daily contact with the other members of Fleetwood Mac over the last few years?

I wouldn’t say daily. Part of what has allowed Fleetwood Mac to prevail over a long period of time is that we don’t actually maintain daily contact [laughs]. We don’t really keep in close contact per se. I think the very thing that keeps the chemistry so alive in the band and the music so good is because we take each other in small doses. Music is a very potent thing. So: I don’t speak to the others that often, but I had been speaking to them a lot because we were initially planning to do a lot of stuff together. Possibly an album, but definitely a world tour in 2009.

Surely modern methods of communication meant that you were never far from each other’s thoughts?

Of course from time to time I would email Stevie or Mick especially pictures from the kids’ summer holidays. We’re always interested in how our families are growing up. It’s good to just reconnect as human beings. Christine (McVie) wasn’t involved in any shape or form, as she pretty much took permanent leave of the performing world. I don’t want to say that she burned her bridges, [but[ she certainly closed her book on her contact with all of us over here on the west coast, including selling her house in Los Angeles. Shemoved back to England and lives somewhere out in the country, I believe. From what I hear, she’s completely changed her life, and to be honest, she never really enjoyed touring anyway. I think she feels like she had said what she wanted to say within the confines of Fleetwood Mac, whereas the other four of us feel that our artistic lives are still evolving.

Is is a coincidence that it’s usually Fleetwood putting the band back together?

Yes. Mick has a habit of ringing me just when I’m about to put an album out, don’t you think? [laughs] But the politics of Fleetwood Mac have always been a very convoluted thing. On some level, our sensibilities are so vastly different, you could probably even make a case that we should never have actually ended up being in the same band (even though it was that precise synergy that made it work). The politics have got increasingly difficult over the last ten years though. The mantra we need to remember is: we are making our own strides to just be adults, and grow up a little. I think we were all in various forms of arrested development, particularly back in the 70s and 80s, when there was a huge amount of (drugs) in the band.

How intense did the partying get?

I don’t recall one particular dark moment, I think there was just a particular time when I saw a lot of my friends doing what they thought they had to do, particularly in relation to alcohol and drugs. I needed to experience a really solitary existence for a while, and concentrate on my music. The time right before meeting my wife was potentially the time that I would now look back as the darkest, and then I met this woman, and suddenly: I turned a corner. Hopefully, I experienced some good karma there, or something. Fleetwood Mac really did exist within its own little bubble.

Can you recall the scene in it’s most vivid incarnation?

I feel fortunate that we were getting away with all that kind of behavior in an age when there were no such things as camera phones to record the excesses which would then be immediately propelled onto YouTube the next day. I definitely think after Rumours, the success detached itself from the music and it was more about people buying into our personal lives, and that involved bringing out the voyeur in everybody. Had that been today, I think we would have had a much more difficult time coping with the blurred possibilities of drug taking.

How has all that changed this time around?

The only challenge I have now regarding a world tour is that I have three kids, and I don’t want to come home after nine months on the road, and find that my boy’s voice has broken or changed. I want to be there for all of those things now.

You seem content.

I think the main reason we still wanted to go back on the road as Fleetwood Mac is because we still needed to put some kind of closure to the music we made. It really has been so lovely reconnecting with John and Mick in particular, as we’ve known each other a long time, and we’ve all been through things that are too long and too weird to discuss. We have a very special bond, and it’s like getting together with your family again.

Finally Lindsey, can I ask you where, in your many years on the road have you enjoyed visiting the most?

The heritage of the band is, of course, British. So I have immense and deep fondness for the UK. I was recently reminded that when Stevie Nicks and I were asked to join the band, we were also asked—in some sense—to become honorary Brits. I don’t mean this in any derogatory way, but I firmly believe that Christine McVie’s very British blues sensibilities kept us from sounding like just another version of The Eagles. When I joined, they would take me to the public houses of SoHo, and show me places like the 100 Club on Oxford Street where my heroes The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols played. Then back again to the famous Soho pubs like the Coach And Horses on Greek Street where I was ‘converted’ by a time-honoured tradition of of drinking many, many pints of Guinness in the name of the British Empire! When I visit these places again today, the memories are overwhelming. I love that everyone calls it Tin Pan Alley. Even Bill Clinton’s favourite pub—The Portobello Star—brings it all back, especially as seems like only yesterday when we played at his inauguration. I find touring in Europe so rewarding.

MICK FLEETWOOD GATHERS FRIENDS FOR TWO ISLAND SHOWS

Mick Fleetwood gathers friends for special shows

BY TRISHA SMITH

LAHAINA NEWS

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Mick Fleetwood is back home and ready to rock the Valley Isle during his break between worldwide tour dates with the illustrious “supergroup,” Fleetwood Mac.

“Lindsey [Buckingham] and John [McVie] say I must be crazy to play during the break, but it’s so much fun and I get to pay tribute to fellow musicians,” said Mick. “I’m very lucky to still be a working musician and still play drums like a maniac.”

Strap on your dancing shoes for two exceptional nights of entertainment on Friday, Sept. 11, at Stella Blues Café and again on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Royal Lahaina Resort.

Thanks to the managing skills of William Reeve Pié, and the cooperation of local musicians and venues, these gigs were efficiently thrown together quite quickly.

Billed as The Mick Fleetwood Band, the drummer extraordinaire has invited his blues band buddies to perform, which includes his musical partner-in-crime, slide/lead guitarist Rick Vito, the big personality and bass lines of Lenny Castellanos, and entertaining keyboardist Mark Johnstone.

The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band’s latest live performance release, Blue Again (Savoy), reveals a bouquet of timeless songs, and few new tunes, that celebrate the British blues-era and sound of the all-male, original Fleetwood Mac from 40 years ago.

“We’ll be doing a blend of my blues band and add some extremely talented guests,” said Mick.

Look forward to powerful performances from Eric Gilliom and Gretchen Rhodes of Island Rumours, the constantly evolving band Mick put together of Maui talent in 2006.

A few surprise acts are probable, with Barry Flanagan of HAPA already lined up for the West Side event.

“We just have a lot of fun,” said Mick, pleasantly. “Should be a couple of great shows.”

These showcases will feature band originals, some favorite Fleetwood Mac classics, and a retrospect from the early blues days of the band, along with amazing performances from an impressive lineup.

The Stella Blues’ show will mark the first big show at the venue since the passing of its cofounder Ray Ennis, who was not only an old friend of Mick’s from the Grateful Dead days, but also an avid supporter of music here on Maui and beyond. It was a dream of his to have acts like these there.

“It was quite shocking and sad when I found out about Ray — life is strange,” said Mick. “I was away at the time, so this is my tribute to him to put on a great show at his place and donate to something he felt strongly about.”

Tickets for Friday, Sept. 11, are $30; $25 in advance. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hospice Maui, Ennis’ favorite nonprofit. Call 874-3779 for more information.

Enjoy sunset on the beach and a groovy night under the stars at the Royal Lahaina show on Sunday, Sept. 13, for $40; $35 in advance. Dinner and special VIP packages are available. Call the Royal Lahaina Resort at 661-3611 for reservations.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit A Makebelieve Company’s new “Save the Arts” program, which strives to inspire and educate our youth through music and the arts.

“I feel very strongly about focusing music and arts in the schools,” said Mick. “Music saved my personal integrity as a child, and I’m living testimony how being creatively clever can take you a long way.”

Check out www.mickfleetwood.com anytime to get your Fleetwood fix.

(HQ VIDEO) STEVIE NICKS TVNZ INTERVIEW

STEVIE NICKS GETS FRANK

Interviewed by Dominic Bowden of TVNZ

File Size: 104mb

File Type: .avi

Download

STEVIE NICKS - UP CLOSE

Interviewed by Dominic Bowden of TVNZ

File Size: 142mb

File Type: .avi

Download

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM AUDIO INTERVIEW - 09.09.09 - NEW ZEALAND

[First of all, these time zones are going to kill me!... I almost forgot to listen live to this interview this morning, or afternoon... Actually, I was listening today (Tuesday the 8th), but it was already the morning of the 9th in New Zealand - hense the title of the post]

Tim from Easy Mix 98.2 in New Zealand interviewed Lindsey Buckingham this morning (09.09.09)

Lindsey spoke about why he's never been happier, what his wife thinks of his on stage chemistry with Stevie Nicks, what he considers to be his best achievement in regards to producing Stevie and Christine's songs, how he surprised Michael Jackson in a toilet in 1985 while recording "We Are The World", and his connection with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

He also spoke about how the band really wants to keep this going and not take such long breaks between projects... Another album of new material is still being talked about, along with bringing in a new producer to work with the band - which was nice to hear. Sadly he never mentioned, nor was he asked, about the Rumours CD/DVD that was reported to be coming out this year to coincide with the Unleashed Tour.

You can stream both parts of his interview this morning at the Easy Mix website, or you can download it here if you're like me and you like to keep this stuff.

Interview length about 16 minutes.

Stream

Also, in early October Tim will interview Mick Fleetwood - the man who's drumming has provided the beat for every Fleetwood Mac song from Albatross to Say You Love Me, Go Your Own Way to Little Lies, Dreams to Tusk, Gypsy to Sara.

2nd SHOW ADDED FOR NEW ZEALAND (BOWL OF BROOKLANDS)

FLEETWOOD MAC SELLS OUT

TSB BOWL OF BROOKLANDS

IN 12 MINUTES!

Second show added - December 20, 2009 - ON SALE NOW!

Ticketmaster

Ticket Prices:

GENERAL ADMISSION

NZ $120.00

Allocated Seating - GOLD

NZ $320.00

Allocated Seating - SILVER

NZ $250.00

Voxy.co.nz

TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth - SUNDAY December 20th 2009 Andrew McManus Presents is pleased to announce a second show on Sunday December 20th due to overwhelming demand. 'As promoter of this tour, even I am amazed at how quickly the first show sold out in New Plymouth and am proud to be able to announce a second concert, which will be the bands last show of their Unleashed World tour - a fitting completion to their sold out world tour and great way to finish for the fantastic New Zealand fans at such a beautiful venue as the New Plymouth Bowl' Following on the heels of their hugely successful 55-city sold out North American tour, Fleetwood Mac - Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie - will bring their 'Unleashed' tour to New Zealand for a two-hour plus celebration of all the greatest hits from undoubtedly one of the most enduring, celebrated and influential rock groups of all time.

Don't miss the chance to see this extraordinary, iconic band in what promises to be one of the musical highlights of the year. NEW PLYMOUTH, TSB BOWL OF BROOKLANDS

SATURDAY DECEMBER 19th - SOLD OUT

SUNDAY DECEMBER 20th - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!!

From Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.co.nz or 0800-111-999

NZ Herald

Fleetwood Mac have added a second concert to their visit to New Plymouth in December after the first one sold out in minutes.

Having played a 55-date, sold-out tour in North America, the band had committed to a single New Zealand show on December 19 at the Bowl of Brooklands.

Promoter Andrew McManus Presents said demand for tickets at the 18,000 seat venue was overwhelming and the second show had been scheduled for the following night.