LIVE: Fleetwood Mac: "On With the Show" Tour in Washington DC

A reunited and fully intact Fleetwood Mac takes Washington, DC on a euphoric trip.

After 16 long years, the warm and smoky voice of Christine McVie was heard once again on the live stage, ensuring a sell-out crowd at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC for the return of the now fully intact Fleetwood Mac. The full band consisting of Mick Fleetwood (drums), Lindsey Buckingham (guitar/vocals) and John McVie (bass) along with Christine McVie on vocals and keys, and Stevie Nicks on vocals sounded wonderful.

In 1998, Ms. McVie left the group after 27 years due to her fear of flying and not wanting to tour anymore. Now, at last (after some intense therapy), she is back on board and the band saluted that fact by hitting the stage with a rousing version of "The Chain," a rocker about unbreakable bonds. At the end of the song, Stevie Nicks shouted "Welcome back, Chris! She hasn't told us what she's been doing the last 16 years, but I'm sure she will. ... The story will come out at some point." It was great to see the revival of songs like "You Make Loving Fun," "Say You Love Me," "Over My Head" and others featuring Christine McVie on lead vocals. Ms. McVie, at 71, along with the raspy, husky voice of Stevie Nicks at age 66 don't sound quite like they did on the records of course, but they still possess so much melody and character in those voices.

Stevie's "Rhiannon," for instance, was a little rough around the edges, but more haunting than ever. Clad in all black with her flowing shawl and spinning around in circles whenever she got the chance, she remains just as bewitching. "Dreams" was a gem, as was "Seven Wonders." She only got better as the show went on, soaring to the rafters on "Landslide," "Gypsy" and "Gold Dust Woman," a show-stopper with tortured wails and a witchy dance in a sparkly golden shawl.

Three backup singers in the shadows added some extra weight to the harmonies. (There were also three backing musicians – a guitar and keyboardist, and a percussionist hidden behind Mr. Fleetwood.)

Lindsey Buckingham, at 65, is easily still clearly the driving force in the band, with blazing chops and a superb voice. He ran wild on the rollicking "Tusk" (with the USC Marching Band projected on the giant screen) and displayed his acoustic guitar skills during "Big Love," which he sang by himself. He all but ripped off the guitar strings on a maniacal solo during "I'm So Afraid."

The hits were non-stop in the two-plus hour show, climaxing with a knock-out "Go Your Own Way," a percussive "World Turning" with a crazy drum solo by Mr. Fleetwood and celebratory "Don't Stop." After the first encore, Christine McVie came out and sat at the piano for a haunting version of “Songbird” to finish the show. She said an emotional “Thank you” and received a standing ovation (although the sell-out crowd was on their feet for the majority of the night).

They return to the Verizon Center in January, 2015 and let’s hope they keep on going!

Setlist:

The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
Dreams
Second Hand News
Rhiannon
Everywhere
I Know I’m Not Wrong
Tusk
Sisters Of The Moon
Say You Love Me
Seven Wonders
Big Love (Lindsey solo, acoustic)
Landslide (Lindsey and Stevie only)
Never Going Back Again (Lindsey solo, acoustic)
Over My Head
Gypsy
Little Lies
Gold Dust Woman
I’m So Afraid
Go Your Own Way