Live: Stevie Nicks @ PPG Paints Arena
Rock on, gold dust woman.
Whether touring with Fleetwood Mac or solo, Stevie Nicks has proven time and time again not only the songwriting skill and performance that first catapulted her to fame, but also that she’s still got it. For just about two hours Wednesday night, Nicks delighted fans at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh —mostly women and many donning black lace — with a variety of hits from her years with Fleetwood Mac, as well as her solo career.
Nicks opened with Bella Donna track “Outside the Rain,” then launched into Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” her recognizable voice sounding as good as ever. Her set also included Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy,” as well as solo hits like the energetic fan-favorite “Stand Back” and closer “Edge of Seventeen.” She left the stage only briefly to change shawls.
Nicks’ work with other musicians is also front and center in her shows, with songs like Tom Petty collaboration “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” Nicks also touched on political and social issues with a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” and “Soldier’s Angel,” written for recovering injured soldiers and now dedicated to those affected by the war in Ukraine.
As is often the case, the highlight was the intense, frantic “Gold Dust Woman.” For her encore, Nicks began with a sweet cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” perfect for her voice, then continued with Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” before ending, as she always does, with “Landslide,” this time dedicated to the late Christine McVie, with Nicks backed by photos of the songbird.
One of the joys of seeing Nicks live is her penchant for storytelling — she frequently pauses between songs and provides the stories behind them, walking fans through what inspired them. Although some tours, such as 24 Karat Gold, have featured more chitchat than others, Wednesday night was no exception, with Nicks talking about the days before she and bandmate/ex-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac, songs on her solo albums, and more.
To see Stevie Nicks live isn’t just to enjoy her music, it’s also to spend an evening with what feels like an old friend. And what a wonderful evening it was.
