Disappointed
by ladyoblada on 2009-07-14MTS Centre - WinnipegRating: 2 out of 5I went to the Fleetwood Mac concert last night. I love, love, love the band, especially the infallible Stevie Nicks, but was left slightly disappointed. Perhaps it was because I, having been born in 1980, escaped the mire of emotion that all of the babyboomers in attendance faced. After all, the band's music practically defined part of the 70s; how could I truly relate if I wasn't even born then?
Or perhaps it was because this seemed to be more about cashing in, rather than for enjoyment of music. My ticket cost $200, the most expensive price I've ever paid to attend a concert. I expected a bit of energy from the performers, but it was seriously lacking. Stevie looked downright bored at times. For the first few tunes, bandmembers didn't interact (or even look at each other). Yes, their history is convoluted...but I was hoping their issues could be resolved before swindling me out of a good chunk of my paycheque. Sound quality was also poor at the start, but later corrected. On a cost vs. benefit assessment, I would have to say this was one of the worst concerts I have ever attended in my life.
The bright spot was Lindsey Buckingham. His guitar work was amazing. And despite his solo tunes signaling a bathroom break for a lot of people, the sheer enthusiasm and enjoyment of craft he displayed was one of the only things connecting fan to fabled band. While I was looking forward to hearing such classics as Rhiannon, Dreams and Landslide, I'd have to say that Tusk was by far my favorite performance of the night. It had all the middle-aged accountant-types in the audience doing their best "Elaine Benice shuffle". Not what I expected, but at least I was entertained. Shame I can't say the same about the entertainers.