The original rock gypsy, Stevie Nicks, still has stories to tell.

February 24th, 2024

Stevie Nicks is a cosmic wonder. Her years of experience in the world of rock music, including her many years with the iconic group Fleetwood Mac, were on full display this evening at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. I have seen Stevie’s solo show a few times over the years. Like fine wine, she has gotten better with age. At the tender age of 75, her ease on stage resonates as she tells stories about the songs, her life; she pulls the audience into her experiences, happiness, sorrow, nostalgia and wisdom. Should Stevie decide to write her memoir someday, she’s got some serious tales to tell. She makes us, the spectators, for her 2-hour set, feel like old friends as we walk her path of musical excellence together. There is a familiarity with Nicks that transcends time. It’s like sitting down with an old friend you haven’t seen in years. The feeling of no time has passed is what tonight was about. The audience was fully focused on the empress on stage. For Nicks, there is no age demographic when it comes to her fans. Tonight, young and old, came together to enjoy an evening of rock bliss.

Her show is poignant and heartfelt. As she transitions her way through the setlist, she tells wondrous tales of Prince, her Fleetwood Mac family, and her longtime friend, Tom Petty, who unexpectedly passed away in 2017. Her performance of their hit, “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” and a cover of his classic, “Free Fallin’,” which came during the encore, was accompanied by amazing visuals, pictures of the pair, centered behind her and the band. Both were heartfelt moments and two of many highlights this evening. To quote Nicks herself, ‘The only serious moment of the performance,’ came with an inspired version of “Soldier’s Angel.” The finale of the song displayed the Ukrainian flag.

Stevie Nicks. photo by Chris Allmeid for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

One could not review Stevie Nicks live without mentioning her mystical appearance. Always the quintessential gypsy queen, she seemed to float on air as her signature twirl was effortless, which came with thunderous applause by the crowd, her microphone stand draped in beads and scarves. Her costume changes included a couple of original capes from her album covers. The instrumentals during these interludes, including some amazing solos, kept the energy flowing and the audience’s attention.

The setlist for the performance was hit after hit. Nothing was left out. Opening with ‘Outside the Rain,’ the show had an ebb and flow between her solo and Fleetwood material. “Dreams,” “If Anyone Falls,” “Gypsy,” “Bella Donna,” “Stand Back,” “Gold Dust Woman” (which, to be honest, seemed otherworldly), “Edge of Seventeen,” an amazing duet with her vocal coach Steve Real on “Leather and Lace,” just to name a few, had the sold-out crowd on its feet, camera phones a-blazin’. The encore itself was masterful. “Free Fallin”‘ (Tom Petty cover), “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” (included a beautiful visual tribute to fellow Fleetwood Mac member Christine McVie who passed in 2022), brought the evening to a thoughtful end. Stevie Nicks live in concert is a wondrous experience for all. She is, and always shall be, an amazing force in music and life.