Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie at Majestic Theater, November 14, 2017
Review by Stacey Lovett / Photography by Michael Mullenix
The union of Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie for their new collaborative album emerged from a foundation laid decades ago, only to be strengthened by their own artistic growth over this time. The duo entered the stage of the Majestic Theater with hands embraced validating the chemistry from the start of the show.
They opened up the show with an intimate acoustic performance of the first four songs featuring covers from both Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham’s solo work – each artist shining through with their own essence honed years ago and joining that spirit with a powerful artistic harmony. Buckingham took the vocals on the first song with the first single off of his 1981 debut album slinging powerful notes against a crisp guitar with a slowed down version “Trouble.” Great applause and cheers from the audience bridged into McVie performing the Fleetwood Mac song she penned for Mirage. The quintessential sound of Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar prowess shined as he drew out tender, smoky vocals for a slower version of “Never Going Back Again,” and continued by fusing the power of his guitar picking with the haunting chords played by Christine McVie as he roared a cover of his “Shut Us Down.” The acoustic opener was a beautiful outline of the elements that define each artist and led to the organic union of past and present.
The band joined the duo for the remainder of the show as they dove into songs from their new album, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie. Buckingham & McVie have synthesized their sound borrowing signature elements of each artist – from their solo work and their past time together – and evolving it into what it is thanks to the regrouping of the band that initially brought them together. This harmony transcended both the years and the ocean that separated them, coming together in the same west coast studio where many of their classic albums were recorded. This convergence re-energized the singer/songwriters to create their first single off the album, “In My World” – a reflective tune reminiscent of early Fleetwood Mac, illuminating the synergy of the two artists. The catchiness and strength of the melodic drum beat in “Too Far Gone” borrow a lot of gusto from “Tusk” and got the audience grooving in time for a few more Mac covers in the set. And it was “Tusk” that brought the audience to their feet, especially the outstanding guitar solo Buckingham graced them with at the end. He went on from there to explain how the reunion was a circular karmic gift bestowed on them out of the individual lives they’ve led over the past 15 years – her self-journey and his solo work, their shared aspirations to grow as artists, all converge into the common denominator and create this beautiful equation. The audience was what ultimately completed it, translating the musical vocabulary of McVie & Buckingham as they performed a couple more songs from their project. They rounded out the set with three more songs originally done with Fleetwood Mac and a healthy taste of the beloved guitar from Lindsey Buckingham. “I’m So Afraid” brought an absolutely amazing guitar solo that melted the audience as it sang its own powerful emotion among the haunting influence of his vocals. A heartfelt standing ovation followed and kept the crowd on their feet for their duet of “Go Your Own Way,” bringing high energy from this familiar sound and artistic synergy as they wrapped up the show.
Christine McVie & Lindsey Buckingham returned to the stage once more holding hands to perform one more cover and two more off of their album, bidding the night goodbye with a ballad. The show ended with a harmony of voices, reflective of years of chemistry that has remained an important link that has undoubtedly stood the test of time
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LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & CHRISTINE MCVIE PHOTO GALLERY
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Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie Setlist:1. Trouble (Lindsey Buckingham cover); 2. Wish You Were Here (Fleetwood Mac cover); 3. Never Going Back Again (Fleetwood Mac cover); 4. Shut Us Down (Lindsey Buckingham cover); 5. Sleeping Around the Corner; 6. Feel About You; 7. In My World; 8. Too Far Gone; 9. Hold Me (Fleetwood Mac cover); 10. Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac cover); 11. Tusk (Fleetwood Mac cover); 12. Love Is Here to Stay; 13. Red Sun; 14. You Make Loving Fun (Fleetwood Mac cover); 15. I’m So Afraid (Fleetwood Mac cover); 16. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover); ENCORE: 17. Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac cover); 18. Lay Down for Free; 19. Game of Pretend