Have you ever been to a parade in which there was a marching band? You know how the closer the band gets, the more you can feel the drums, until suddenly the reverberation is so strong that you can feel the beat in your bones and even all the way through your chest? I had a similar experience Friday night at the Fleetwood Mac concert.
The Nashville show was SO much better than the Columbus show. Partly it was because I was closer and able to see things that I couldn't see before. But it was also because Stevie seemed more into it (she even twirled earlier this time, during "Gypsy"). They did the same set list, quite possibly in the exact same order, but I didn't care. I got to watch Stevie exit the stage behind the band every single time. I could see the way that she drummed her fingers against Lindsey's shoulder while they embraced during "Sara". I saw the crew standing at the base of the stairs on the opposite end of the stage wearing cowboy hats and bandanas over their mouths like Western bandits, and I got to see Stevie throw back her head in laughter when she saw them. During Mick's drum solo, I was able to see that Lindsey, even though this was his only break during the entire show, didn't leave the stage; he merely sat down in the front stage left corner of the stage behind a speaker with his legs outstretched. I got to watch the backup singers prepping for their return to the stage after Mick's drum solo by dancing to the rhythm.
I still remember the rush of excitement I felt in Columbus when the lights came up and they started playing "Monday Morning". Nashville left me with a different feeling altogether. During "Dreams", the first song of the evening that featured Stevie singing lead, I could feel her voice reverberating like the drums during a parade. It went all the way up through my toes and into my veins until it made its way right to my heart. I have never felt so emotionally connected to someone before. Where in Columbus I cried during "Sara" and "Silver Springs" because I was so moved by the lyrics and Stevie's haunting voice, in Nashville I felt tears welling up during "Monday Morning" because I could not believe I was there, again, taking in Lindsey's genius and Stevie's ethereal beauty.
I'm sure many of my friends saw what I posted as my Facebook status after the show - that I wanted to lick the heel of Stevie's velvet platform stiletto while she was still wearing it. I know, a little strange. But I cannot explain to you how vibrant and beautiful she was Friday night. Stevie is the only woman who can make wearing so much clothing sexy. When she came out to do "Landslide" wearing this gorgeous deep red dress with thigh high stilettos, I was just totally blown away by her. Even now, I cannot put into words how she made me feel on Friday night.
My only regret of the evening was not going back for my camera. In Columbus they had signs up saying no cameras, so I had to take mine back to the car. In Nashville, we thought we were getting there like thirty minutes before the show so I knew I wouldn't have enough time to take my camera back to the car had I not been able to take it in. But, my dad and I didn't realize that Nashville was on central time and we got there super early. I could have gone back to my car to get the camera, but I had to use the bathroom REALLY bad and could think of nothing else. In a way, not having my camera was a plus because I would have been focusing too much on trying to get pictures and not really experienced the show. But I wish I had some pictures to remember that night. It was the closest I had ever been to Stevie, quite possibly the closest I ever will be, and I wanted to remember it.
No one could ever possibly understand the way I feel about Stevie Nicks. She and Bette Midler are so much more than just singers to me. Maybe my love for them borders on creepy. I guess other people would know that more than I would. But to have someone love you (indirectly, obviously; I may be delusional but I'm not crazy) unconditionally and with no bounds, without the fear of ever being rejected, you cannot know the overwhelming feelings that that creates. If only someday I could ever have someone love me the same way that I love them...
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