No Need For Flash and Props

For concert goers who have become accustomed to the flash and props of tours by contemporary pop stars like Katy Perry, Pink, or Miley Cyrus, Fleetwood Mac'sOn With the Show concert tour may seem oddly unencumbered by attention getting stage gimmicks. However, the group, laden with memorable songs that span generations of pop music fans, needs none of that in concert. The music speaks strongly for itself, and the five personalities that make up one of pop music's most durable groups can easily hold a concert audience mesmerized for three hours.

The length of Fleetwood Mac's performance precluded the need for an opening act, so the entire night belonged to the legendary group.

Christine McVie's Return

The current concert tour is historically important for the group largely due to the return of Christine McVie. She left the classic Rumours-era lineup of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 intending to never tour again. Her officially return to the group approximately a year ago was greeted with delight by the band's fans, and she performed live with the group for the first time last fall when the On With the Show tour kicked off in Minneapolis. The concert closed with a second encore of Christine McVie performing "Songbird" accompanied simply by Lindsey Buckingham on guitar.

Since Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks first joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, the classic five piece lineup of the band has always maintained a distinctive tension and balance among three distinctive songwriters and lead vocalists. Lindsey Buckingham presents a brash, intense, emotional, masculine rock energy in both his songs and his stage presence.

That is countered by Stevie Nicks' ethereal, mystical, feminine point of view. Christine McVie adds her earthy, blues-rooted songs and vocals that make the balance work in a way that was sorely missed over the past 16 years. None of the three have lost their power to move an audience.

Return To Rumours

In concert Fleetwood Mac relied on their massively successful album Rumours to anchor the show. Having sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, the album born out of the crumbling of two romantic relationships still holds a mesmerizing power. The show kicked off with "The Chain," the only song on Rumours written by all five band members, and the words, "Never break the chain" rang out proudly from the group. Three more songs from Rumours, one by each of the key songwriters, followed in quick succession. By the time the concert wrapped up, all but two of the album's original 11 songs had been performed.

Two extended stories told by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks added to the intimacy of the overall evening. Lindsey Buckingham spoke about how the song "Big Love" had evolved for him in meaning over the years. He then performed the song solo in a fierce display of guitar playing prowess. Stevie Nicks gave an extended introduction to the song "Gypsy" detailing her connection with a clothing store in San Francisco that saw such legends as Janis Joplin as clients. When they first joined Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were a romantic couple. Despite the dissolution of that bond decades ago, their affection for each other is on abundant display including moments of hand holding on stage.

Pointing To the Future

Lindsey Buckingham makes clear to the audience that, despite all members being 65 years old or older, the band sees their career as far from over. He announced that they hold in their sights a period to come of increased productivity. It is assumed the recording of new music is included in the plans.

For those who have not had the opportunity to see legendary group Fleetwood Mac live in concert, the On With the Show tour provides an excellent chance to enjoy the stellar musicianship and songwriting with the group conveying a powerful atmosphere of well-earned harmony. 

Set List 

• "The Chain"
• "You Make Loving Fun"
• "Dreams"
• "Second Hand News"
• Rhiannon"
• "Everywhere"
• "I Know I'm Not Wrong"
• "Tusk"
• "Sisters of the Moon"
• "Say You Love Me"
• "Seven Wonders"
• "Big Love"
• "Landslide"
• "Never Going Back Again"
• "Over My Head"
• "Gypsy"
• "Little Lies"
• "Gold Dust Woman"
• "I'm So Afraid"
• "Go Your Own Way"
• Encore - "World Turning"
• Encore - "Don't Stop"
• Encore - "Silver Springs"
• Second Encore - "Songbird"