Fleetwood Mac review: Rumours are true – the Mac are still thriving after latest split

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Gemma Samways17 June 2019

Boasting one of the most turbulent band histories in the business, Fleetwood Mac have always featured something of a revolving cast.

Even so, their acrimonious split with guitarist/singer Lindsey Buckingham in 2018 after 43 years together was especially significant. So significant, in fact, they’ve since recruited not one but two replacements: Crowded House’s Neil Finn and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Allaying any fears that Buckingham’s departure might adversely affect the band’s live chemistry, last night Campbell and Finn proved valuable additions from the offset, the former despatching the iconic solo of The Chain with impressively effortless ease, and the latter harmonising beautifully with Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks during Little Lies.

Indeed, 61 dates into their reunion tour, Fleetwood Mac appeared a very tight-knit and relaxed unit. Joined by an additional keyboardist, percussionist, and guitarist, plus two backing singers, the classic line-up completed by drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie clearly took as great pleasure performing the hits as they did revisiting deeper cuts.

Famously covered by Santana, early blues track Black Magic Woman was sung by Nicks last night, and reimagined from a woman’s perspective. Later in the set, Campbell took to the mic for the swampy blues of Oh Well (Pt. 1), taken from their 1969 album Then Play On.

There were opportunities for covers too, with Nicks and Finn in fine voice duetting on Don’t Dream It’s Over, and Nicks performing a deeply moving rendition of Free Fallin’ in the encore, accompanied by a photo montage of her late friend and collaborator Tom Petty.

Considering the storms this line-up has weathered, Don’t Stop proved a particularly apt conclusion to what was ultimately a triumphant show. More than 50 years since their formation, Fleetwood Mac are still thriving.

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