As a full band, Fleetwood Mac performed one concert in 2016* and just two in 2017, at the Classic West and Classic East stadium shows. Though individual members have been busy with solo tours–and in the case of Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, a duo album and corresponding tour together–the group’s low public profile will change dramatically beginning in 2018.
Mick Fleetwood confirmed on Nov. 3 the band’s not-so-secret tour plans, when he talked to U.K. radio station Planet Rock about a “massive trek around the planet” that’ll commence in “late summer.” The co-founder’s comments updated Christine McVie’s statements last spring when she told a British reporter on June 14 that the full band will begin rehearsals in March for a global tour that will launch next June. She reiterated that on a June 16 appearance on BBC Breakfast.
Fleetwood Mac’s first 2018 performance will actually be on Jan. 26, when they receive the 2018 MusiCares® Person of the Year tribute in New York, the first time in the benefit’s history that the Recording Academy™ will honor a band.
Previous Person of the Year honorees include, among others, Tom Petty (earlier this year), Bob Dylan, Bono, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Paul Simon, Sting and Brian Wilson.
Fleetwood told the U.K. radio station: “Next year we’re probably – not probably – our full intention is next year’s gonna be the beginning of a massive trek around the planet. Late summer and back at it!” Dates will certainly extend to 2019 and perhaps beyond.
Watch them perform “Gypsy” at Classic West on July 16, 2017
The 2017 Buckingham-McVie tour began June 21 and concludes Nov. 16. (Tickets are available here and here.)
*That 2016 concert? It was a private event at Dodger Stadium honoring Vin Scully.
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