This review i must also say, has not been "Pre-approved", nor influanced by any of the band members or crew, this is purely my opinion on them and their 2012 shows.
The first time i saw them was in liverpool, when they do a tour of theatre's all over the uk. My mother and her friends had been to see the group before (She knows a few members of the band). The chance came around for me to go and see them and i must admit, i'm glad i went.
You see, for years i would hear people going on about how good fleetwood mac where, but i'd never really identified myself as a "fan". Sure i knew some of their songs, but that was about it.
I went into the theatre and we grabbed our seats, i think we were about the 2nd or 3rd row. The stage set up was rather simple, made up of white sheets dropped down a black background, with some uplighting on the white parts, some moving heads below and above and par cans dotted around. The group also carry their own sound equipment too, which i did wonder if it'd be loud enough for me (If i'm to enjoy live music, it's got to be loud).
Suddenly, the lights in the theatre go down and you hear the rumble of base, mixed under a voice over from mick fleetwood himself. He introduces the band and asks you to enjoy the trip down memory lane. The band walk on stage and their first set begins.
Now for years, my all-time fave song of fleetwood mac's had to be "Everywhere" which i believe is from the album tango in the night.... i think....
That was the 2nd song in the list and performed to the point that if you closed your eyes, fleetwood mac were infront of you. Infact, given what i've seen of fleetwood mac concerts, even with your eyes open, the costumes and sound together, you could kid yourself they were the real deal on the stage.
This, is a short video of everywhere, not taken by me, nor on the night i saw them.... but you get the gist....
So you can see why i was happy with that then now? Ha, it was brilliant, sat tapping my foot.
The rest of the first set was full of little suprises for me. I was suprised at how many song's they'd done which i didn't know what done by them. It was all done live, sounded amazing and yes, it was plenty loud enough for me to be able to sing along, but not hear what i was singing.
The first set ends and the band go off for a break, while we tried to get a drink at the bar, which was of course mission impossable, until the 5 min call came through the tannoy system, only then did i find out that you can't bring can's of coke into the theatre.... why? i've no idea, but whatever...
Anyway, so only a few members of the band return onto the stage and begin a small set of the very early stuff of fleetwood mac and ok yes, i didn't know everything they did, but watching them play their instruments with such passion and talent was certainly more than enough to keep me amazed.
After a few songs from the early years, eventually the rest of the band make it back onto the stage and so the fun begin's. Belting out the big hits with songs like "Tusk" and "Go your own way". I've got to say, most of the people were up on their feet in the theatre, singing along and enjoying themselvs - Me included!
At the end, the band members take one last bow, before the drummer gave a little speech thanking everyone for going, understanding that times are tough at the moment and saying about how nice it is to have a night like this where everyone can still enjoy themselvs. Very true too.
However....
Months and months go by and i got the chance to see them doing an "Intimate" gig. How could i refuse? I'd enjoyed myself so much at the theatre, it was stupid of me to pass up a chance to see them again! So, we went along to Alexandra's jazz bar in chester to see them one last time this year.
The set wasn't with them, infact half of the sound system was missing too, but it sill looked like a good set up. Talking to a few members of the band earlyer on in the evening, we found out that while yes they were only starting at half 9, the set list had been changed a little, but not too much from what we saw at the theatre shows. Great stuff!!
I sat with my bottle of wine, people watching as they all ate their meals and got ready for a good show. Half 9 rolls around and the base kicks in again, along with mick's voice giving the band an intro.
The courtyard begins to fill up with people (Honestly, i had no idea where they'd been hiding). Me and the people who i'd gone with, we all pushed our chairs back, got up close to the balcony, but still left a little room for ourselvs to have a little boogie in, should the mood (wine) take us (me).
While yes, the set list hadn't been changed too much, the band were still as feisty as ever to give a good show to all those who'd come along and boy did they deliver!
From the first song, people were dancing to the upbeat one's, or swaying to the slow one's, not to mention singing along with all the songs.
After a short break, the band took back to the stage and did some of the older fleetwood mac stuff, followed by the others joining back in, a few moments later.
It was amazing, the 2nd part, i don't know if its because the drinks were flowing, or because it was a brilliant set, outside and with perfect weather, but people were all dancing and singing along to every song, even as an entertainer, i was amazed at how much people were enjoying fleetwood mac songs and has made me wonder since, if i should be playing them more at events.
What can i say to sum this band up?
They're breath taking, from my point of view as a person who still wouldn't put his name down to be called the biggest fan of fleetwood mac. Each person in the band is talented enough to make you believe they were in the orig fleetwood mac band, put together and you really could think you were seeing fleetwood mac live.
I can't recomend them enough, from people who are fan's of fleetwood mac, to those who are not.... go and see them, you will enjoy it!
Now you can find out more about them by visiting their website which is http://www.rumoursfm.com/Biogs.html but in short....
Louise Rogan (Lead
Vocals)
Performing - Stevie
Nicks
Amanda Kostadinov - (Lead
Vocals/ Keyboards)
Performing - Christine McVie
Alan Hughes (Lead Guitar/
Vocals)
Performing - Lindsey Buckingham
Dave Goldberg
(Keyboards/Guitars/ Vocals)
Performing - Peter Green
James Harrison
(Bass)
Performing - John McVie
Ben Hughes (Guitars/
Keyboards/ Vocals/MD)
Performing - Danny Kirwin
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