Stevie Nicks graced an Irish stage for the first time in November 1989, a time when pop sensation, Taylor Swift, hadn’t even graced the Earth yet. Recently, Nicks surprised fans in the VIP section during Swift’s concert at Aviva Stadium. Her surprise appearance garnished the venue with both pop and rock aristocracy as Swift, recognised as the reigning queen of pop, honoured Nicks, her idol.
During Nicks’ performance at the 3Arena, there wasn’t clear evidence of Swift returning the favour. However, the influence of Swift was indeed perceptible, as exhibited by the younger audience who arrived adorning boho-style skirts, originally popularised by Nicks during her reign in Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s.
Despite the initial dismay at the steep ticket prices, Nicks’ first solo gig in nearly 10 years witnessed a massive turnout. The demise of Christine McVie in 2022 and Nicks’ confession that Fleetwood Mac couldn’t function without her have made fans relish every chance to be in the presence of their idol.
However, Nicks’ gig wasn’t merely a revisit to Fleetwood Mac’s popular numbers. As Nicks appeared on the stage around 8pm, her distinctive long blonde hair visible even from the farthest corner of the 3Arena, she chose to begin with a solo number, Outside the Rain.
Her Dublin presence was an assertion that Nicks is not yet ready to pass on her mantle to Swift or anyone else. She rolled into her hit number Dreams and then went on to recount a series of humorous and fascinating anecdotes about recorded Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around with Tom Petty for her 1981 debut solo album Bella Donna.
Certainly, a more fitting title for this evening’s performance could have been “A Night with Stevie Nicks”, as her tales are equally as captivating as her music. One particular yarn about her life in destitution with Lindsey Buckingham (“our car was in such a poor state that it lacked a reverse gear”) and their initial rapport with Fleetwood Mac members, captivates the audience and leaves them speculating about more tales she might reveal if she chose to author an autobiography.
At the age of 76, Nicks appears somewhat less grounded and her notorious “whirling dervish” stage maneuvers are reduced in frequency. Instead, there are more pauses in between songs as her remarkable band keeps the audience entertained or while she brings out another one of her iconic capes.
However, her unique voice is still in splendid condition – as she displays whether performing a Buffalo Springfield cover, For What It’s Worth, a duet with her voice teacher, Steve Real (who is standing in for Don Henley) on Leather and Lace, or the powerful Edge of Seventeen, a performance which rouses many spectators to their feet.
The only real disappointment is Soldier’s Angel, a dull ballad, which she devotes to the conflict-ridden people of Ukraine. It seems out of place in a set mostly composed of songs from her early solo work. The stage imagery, though consistent with Nick’s enigmatic image, sometimes comes off as slightly kitsch.
Nicks, who has recently been delighted by the videos of Irish TikTok comedian Garron Noone, offered an unexpected commendation. Swiftly following this, she delivered a stellar encore with two songs, Rhiannon and Landslide – the show’s highlights. The former performance showcased her distinguishable scarf-draped tambourine and soulful voice, igniting the venue. Landslide, in contrast, served as a nostalgic and heartfelt tribute picture montage of Nicks and the late Christine McVie, creating a witnessing experience unlikely to fade from the fans’ recollections. The lyric “And I’m getting older too…” held a particular resonance that evening, though Nicks insisted she would be returning to Dublin shortly. Not prepared to relinquish her legacy to Swift or anyone else, it appears, she assured the audience that “running to the stage” has become her mechanism for handling McVie’s recent passing. Tonight’s reception implying anything, Nicks will continuously encounter a warm welcome from her devoted Irish followers, captivated by a true icon.