Review: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac at Portsmouth Guildhall

A sweltering night in the Guildhall, the large audience was greeted by Mick Fleetwood (you don’t get more Fleetwood Mac, but alas, only on video), giving his wholehearted approval for what was to follow, and he was not wrong.

I imagine most music fans of a certain vintage would have Rumours by Fleetwood Mac in the top 10 of their collection; welcome to Rumours of Fleetwood Mac (RFM) to provide over two hours of first-class music performed by seven excellent musicians, two more than the original band, helping create a true reflection of the music.

The sound was very good, not too loud, vocals nearly always very clear, supported by an excellent light show. In the main, “Stevie Nicks” (Jess Harwood), “Lyndsey Buckingham” (James Harrison) and “Christine McVie” (Sara Leanne) held the front of the stage with “Peter Green” (Mike Gale, guitar, and Ollie West, keyboards, both vocals), “Mick Fleetwood” (Steve Barney) and “John McVie” (Wayne Banks) an extremely effective second row. Jess sent the whole evening either singing or dancing delightfully, the rest not too flamboyant, getting it just right.

Jess gave a fabulous impression of Stevie Nicks, vocals and appearance, Sara had the voice depth of Christine McVie, James very good as Lyndsey Buckingham, more of the others in a while.

There was a very good mix in the first half of well known (Sara, Songbird, beautifully sung by Sara, an excellent The Chain, Wayne doing a great bass solo and Dreams) and (maybe) lesser known (Warm Ways, a rocking, drums and guitars, I’m So Afraid, ending with Silver Springs).

The second half started with the five males going back to the beginning of the band in the 1960s when it was Pete Green’s Fleetwood Mac, a heavily blues-based outfit with Ollie doing a marvellous vocal performance on Green Manalishi, Man of the World and I Need Your Love So Bad, then Mike on guitar for Albatross, finally with vocals for Rollin’ Man. Almost like a different concert.

Back came Jess and Sara to ramp up towards the finale with the audience needing no second request to stand and dance…and they did: Rhiannon, Gypsy, Little Lies, country-rock World Turning, Everywhere, and an excellent rendition of Go Your Own Way. James asked “more?”, a big cheer, then Don’t Stop, always a crowd pleaser, to the finale, great drumming by Steve to introduce a thunderous Tusk, a perfect way to finish the show.

I never got to see Fleetwood Mac; I now feel I have. RFM must be one of the best tribute bands around and I would definitely recommend them next time they tour. Treat yourself.

Ken Ebbens

The Flash radio presenter