The Herald

Fleetwood Mac

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SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Marianne Gunn

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On With The Show was merely a tagline last week for Fleetwood Mac when they had to cancel tour dates due to illness. Although they played the Isle of Wight festival at the weekend, Scottish fans were still on tenterhook­s last night to see if the first of two nights in Glasgow would go ahead. It did – and, if it was a celebratio­n of anyone, the members of Fleetwood Mac said this show was a “welcome back” to Christine McVie, who did not play the Hydro along with the rest of the band two years ago on their world tour.

After a warm greeting from the capacity crowd, You Make Loving Fun from seminal 1977 album Rumours highlighte­d the venue’s tendency to challenge vocal clarity, even for legend Stevie Nicks. “This is Show 91!” screamed Nicks huskily.

Hits continued to be played early on: Dreams was given minor alteration­s, while Everywhere saw Christine McVie take lead vocals on the classic track she penned in 1987, although the band’s threepart harmonisin­g was the main draw.

An acoustic set began with Lindsey Buckingham’s contemplat­ion on alienation (otherwise know as Big Love) which he disclosed mirrors the breakdown the band experience­d at the height of their “recreation­al” activities. Gypsy, Little Lies and Go Your Own Way were the highlights of the closing section, although an extended Gold Dust Woman was played like a rebirthing of Nicks and Buckingham’s I’m So Afraid guitar solo brought a much-needed crescendo.

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