By: William Clark
Christine McVie
For those who think a single original member of a great, even legendary, music ensemble can’t re-energize a group when they rejoin the team, stand aside, because Fleetwood Mac with Christine McVie is back at it and now running with their full force gale of talent to blow you away.
After sixteen long years, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriting extraordinaire, Christine McVie, has made her anticipated return to the profilic rock group, which has allowed the same wrecking crew that appeared on such iconic studio albums as Rumors and Tusk to return to sold-out arenas and perform a compilation of anthemic tracks, which have long remained out of the set list since McVie’s departure back in 1998.
The band’s unfitting reputation as a soft rock band was put to rest when the members of Fleetwood Mac appeared beneath the darkened blue stage lights of Tampa’s Amalie Arena, and the spine-chilling signature guitar intro to “The Chain” came tearing out of the amplifiers to the pure delight of the audience.
The songs were far more than familiar to both veteran and the next generation of rock fans alike, however this was a revitalized band; the songs were heavy, the vocal harmonies surpassed that of the nearly forty year old recordings, and the musicianship was unrivaled.
Such staples as “Tusk” and “Go Your Own Way” were proud examples of this same musical tour de force; meanwhile, Lindsey Buckingham reassured his status as a guitar hero and one hell of a singer, nailing both blistering arpeggios and articulate chord progressions while belting out the vocals to “Never Going Back Again”. The underappreciated guitar lick to “Sisters Of The Moon” was particularly highlighted during the show, with the brooding chords standing out against the song’s enchanting vocal harmonies.
Lindsey Buckingham
The always captivating Stevie Nicks was similarly in superb form throughout the group’s three hour show. The angelic vocalist was found nailing all the high notes to “Dreams”, “Rhiannon” and “Gypsy” with ease, and gave a quick shout out to American Horror Story for highlighting Fleetwood Mac’s music after a rousing rendition of “Seven Wonders”.
For not having set foot alongside her former band members for the better part of two decades, Christine McVie delivered perhaps the most surprising performance out of the entire lineup. Fleetwood Mac has never really disappeared from the touring circuit, but it’s with Christine back on the keys and vocals (as well as occasionally manning an accordian for “Tusk”) that the band really stands out – and they weren’t hesistant to acknowledge this same point multiple times throughout the night.
Mick Fleetwood on drums with Stevie Nicks.
The reintroduction of such cuts as “You Make Loving Fun”, the New Wave-esque “Little Lies” and the lighthearted “Over My Head” were well appreciated by the audience, who responded after each song with a standing ovation. It wasn’t too difficult to notice how much Christine was missed throughout the years, and how delighted her clamoring audience is with her return into the fold.
As the band stepped off stage, the crowd immediately began demanding an encore, and by brightening the entire arena with their cell phones, they created an alluring starry night atmosphere that was fitting for the occasion. The members of Fleetwood Mac obliged, first returning for a top notch run of “World Turning”, complete with a seven minute rocketing drum solo from Mick Fleetwood. “DON’T BE SHY!” the drummer repeatedly proclaimed while nailing dizzying jungle rhythms, for a solo he dubbed “Hanky Panky”.
From that point forward, the band gave a solid take on “Don’t Stop” and the slightly progressive “Silver Springs”, before Christine appropriately concluded the show by manning a grand piano for her signature romantacized ballad, “Song Bird”. For this rabid Fleetwood Mac crowd of nearly 20,000 fans, it was truly a night to remember, and for many marked the return of the one, true Fleetwood Mac.
GALLERY
John McVie on bass with Fleetwood Mac
Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks
Lindsey Buckingham
About William S. Clark IV:
William S. Clark IV is the Editor-In-Chief with Music Enthusiast Magazine, where aside from his contributions as a senior writer and photographer with Guitar International he provides the latest in all things related to the rock and metal communities.
