Review: Rachel Smith (Darlington College journalism student)

Regularly dubbed by critics as the ‘ultimate celebration concert’, it is unsurprising that critically acclaimed tribute band, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, has managed to sing their way to universal recognition – even bagging a seal of approval from original band member, Mick Fleetwood himself.

The Mac vibe is certainly Everywhere in the theatre as the group’s vibrant and maraca-filled rendition of this particular piece could easily have been lifted straight from the record itself.

Performances of Landslide, Dreams, Sweet Little Lies and my personal favourite, Silver Springs, set the scene for an evening of lively and varied rhythm, with anthems from Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Tango in the Night and Peter Green’s blues stirring up an electrifying energy throughout this opening night of the group’s worldwide 2014 tour.

Stevie Nicks impersonator (Louise Rogan) shamelessly steals the show with her sensational and superbly spot-on vocals which strike an authentic Mac cord with even the most loyal-to-the-original fans.

And when it comes to Dreams, for me nothing less than a spotless professional blend of impeccably timed guitar work and a subtle eccentricity will ever cut it. The musicians master all of these things and indeed go one further, as the immensely capable lead guitarists flawlessly hold the stage together with their tight and empowering riffs from start to finish, which makes the 1970s tunes easy to enjoy and does both Fleetwood Mac and themselves more than justice.

Whilst I desperately wish to joke about Never Going Back Again, the truth is that I actually might go back again for a second round of I Don’t Want to Know and the band’s beautifully instrumental performance of Albatross, which commands a raw passion to be felt by every band and audience member alike.