BIG MAC WITH CHEESE FLEETWOOD MAC / The Verses Members Equity Stadium Friday, December 11, 2009
everywhere from the stairs and thoroughfares to the grassy knolls outside. Looking around the crowd was endless fun. Over there could be a punter you’ve seen at gigs for the last 10 years, stood right next to a musician you’ve seen perform locally for even longer, with an orbiting system of fresh faces soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying their first taste of local music. All rubbing shoulders and all having fun. Take a look at the bands and you could see something even more warming. On one hand you had the vanguard – the veterans who helped carve out our local scene as we know it – and on the other hand you had those who will undoubtedly be the vanguard of the future. Timelines collide so beautifully when you can have a band with Adem K, Matty G or Dima performing alongside the likes of Will Stoker, Timothy Nelson or Luke Dux; or bands like Harlequin League stepping up to match it with Red Jezebel. It’s fucking cool. Even the parting performance of Bodyjar had an uplifting emotion to it, for as much as they will be missed, they ended things
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Go Insane from Buckingham’s 1984 solo album was given an airing, culminating in the singer curled on the ground hugging Few people provided the soundtrack to his guitar as the light show took over. Nicks the ’70s like Fleetwood Mac. Almost every returned to the stage in a change of costume record collection of the time had a dog-eared and Rhiannon brought the loudest cheer of Rumours adorning pride of place towards the evening to date. The finest moment in the front, with Tusk and Fleetwood Mac not the set then came when a ripping rendition too far behind. For many they have been the of Second Hand News saw Buckingham spit unforgettable soundtrack to a truckload of out the vocals and Nicks shadow boxing her memories, and few in attendance are likely to way through the tune. Mick Fleetwood then forget where they were when the Unleashed took his time to shine as the crowd jeered Tour rolled into town. and clapped along to the insanely percussive But before the headliner the crowd Tusk. were to be warmed. The Verses may not The band played heavily on the be the most familiar name going around relationship between Nicks and Buckingham, at the moment, but the faces are instantly with the pair engaging in a lasting embrace recognisable. Ella Hooper owns one of the after a heartfelt Sara and later returning to most celebrated Australian female voices of the stage hand in hand. It may have been the past decade, and she has again teamed contrived but it did make for good theatre, up with her brother Jesse for their second particularly for a band whose story is as crack at success. infamous as their many hits. While Killing Heidi burst onto the The band’s figureheads then took scene with the enthusiasm of adolescence, to their vanity pieces as Buckingham’s adept Bodyjar (photo by Denis Radacic) T h e Ve r s e s h a v e a m o r e m a t u r e , b u t playing made Big Love as dynamic as any unfortunately somewhat more uninspired tune the band had played. Nicks returned with the same sense of fun and excitement that sound. With short skirt and tiara, Hooper serve with Landslide and the band joined in danced around the stage as if she’d ingested for Never Going Back Again. Surprises came they carried with them from day one. It’s been a while since Bodyjar toured, jumping beans and her voice was as solid as late in the set with the blues rock of Oh Well and absence had certainly made the heart ever. Songs such as Settle Down made for a and Nicks’ solo single Stand Back - which grow fonder. Seeing, for the last time, Cam, pleasant enough set, it is just a shame that may have been better left in the ’80s where Grant, Tom, Shane and Ross all on stage was The Verses hadn’t paid more attention to the it belonged. Go Your Own Way finally got the whole of the crowd on their feet as the sea just amazing, and it was impossible to not get chorus. The sceptics may say that Fleetwood of people sang along. swept up in nostalgia. The band played just Mac have only come out because of the Fleetwood Mac returned to the about everything (except Gee And Al, fuckers!) and played it sensationally. High fives go out money, but a band that has so often had stage for World Turning where Mick Fleetwood to whoever requested Glossy Books… if they ‘the love’ on their agenda can be excused launched into a ridiculous drum solo complete hadn’t have played that, tears would have for any motivations to tour. With no new with his own commentary. It was indulgent material to peddle, the crowd were promised and unnecessary but incredibly entertaining. flowed. But it was the beer that did floweth, a show of favourites and that is exactly what Don’t Stop continued the celebration and and the party mood stayed in overdrive right they got. Lindsey Buckingham led a fervent although a sizeable portion of the punters up until the last punter went on their merry version of Monday Morning, and by the time had left by the time the band returned for way into the (not so silent) night. With a sea of The Chain and Dreams the band were in Silver Springs, it was the final jewel in a very of grinning faces, sweaty and accomplished full flight. Stevie Nicks, decked out in flowing special night indeed. All members played their roles musicians, and widespread ringing in the velvet and lace garments and gloves, shook ears… it was more than obvious to all in her tambourine, pulled her signature moves perfectly and the music was as fresh as ever attendance that this was one of the best nights and showed off one of the most unique set even if the faces weren’t. Even without the of the year, and an absolutely brilliant way to of vocal cords of modern times. Sure she may presence of Christine McVie the Unleashed not be as pristine in the high register as she Tour was one out of the box. get ready for an even bigger 2010. once was, but this stunning array of songs _MIKE WAFER suffered little for it. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT
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