Posted: Saturday, Apr. 25, 2009
Fleetwood Mac is on the road for the first time in five years, and their “Unleashed” tour comes to Time Warner Cable Arena tonight. It's the first time the legendary supergroup has not toured in support of an album; they plan to just perform their greatest hits this time out.
This spring, singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks, drummer and founder Mick Fleetwood, songwriter and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and (a mostly silent) founder and bassist John McVie talked about touring and getting together again.
Q. Why come together to do the “Unleashed” tour now?
Nicks: Because solo work and Fleetwood Mac is a great thing to go back and forth from. It's really a blessing in many ways. We're having a blast with each other and we're getting along great now.
Q. How do you stay fresh after so many years together?
Nicks: We never stop playing. Basically, what we are is entertainers. Even if we'd never made it big, we'd still be playing. We're performance artists, that's what we do.
Q. How does the time apart affect how you approach rehearsing?
Buckingham: Our mantra now is just to have a good time and value the friendships and the history that underpins the whole experience we've had over these years. The dynamic between band members is still a work in progress, but we're having more fun now together since the pressure's off and we don't have to reinvent anything this time.
Q. Why is the tour called “Unleashed”? Who is leashing you and why are you unleashed now?
Fleetwood: It's a whole different mindset this time around. For me, there's a sense of not being restricted; let's go out there and do what we love to do.
Q. What can audiences expect at an “Unleashed” show?
Fleetwood: We are truly paying attention to Christine's songs and how well they've survived. Lindsay and Stevie are looking for fresh ways to present their music. We're going to get out there and play the songs that we truly hope are special, that maybe aren't considered the biggest hits, but are emotionally connected to Fleetwood Mac. We're confident that we're going to surprise the audience as well have them identify with songs they're familiar with. All the energy is about getting out there and putting on a show that resonates emotionally.
Q. What about another Fleetwood Mac album?
Fleetwood: Perhaps in a couple of years we'll tour with some new songs. Stevie and Lindsay are continually writing, so I would love to see it happen. My heart says that it will happen.
