Lindsey Buckingham Green Bay Concert Review and Set List

Green Bay was graced with rock royalty last night as the great Lindsey Buckingham, of Fleetwood Mac fame, played the Meyer Theatre in a one-man acoustic show.  Those that know Buckingham know of his incredible guitar prowess (even if Rolling Stone rated him at a way too low 100 in their Top 100 Guitarists of All Time - well behind many lesser players), and that prowess was on display in full force last night. 

His guitar work was masterful, involving both intricate picking as well as complex, and sometimes downright innovative board work.  Multiple times he brought the enthusiastic crowd of the Meyer to its feet, and did so on the back of his virtuoso playing.  He was incredible to watch.

Here is the set list to the best of my recollection:

• Cast Away Dreams
• Bleed to Love Her
• Not Too Late
• Stephanie
• Come
• Shut Us Down
• Go Insane
• Never Going Back Again
• Big Love
• I'm So Afraid
• Go Your Own Way
• Trouble
• Seeds We Sow

Some random thoughts on the evening:

• For me, the highlight of the show was Come.  Lindsey really put a lot into the song, and it showed through.  Quiet and loud, confrontational and recoiling, the presentation was a brilliant dichotomy and added depth to an already powerful song.
• The guitar solo on I'm So Afraid is Buckingham's shining moment on the stage, and he did not disappoint.  Prowling the stage in an almost threatening way and ultimately beating his fist against the guitar, it was as physical as it was musical.
• Go Insane was a reworked, quiet version, and the offering added a lot of depth to an already very good song
• Guitar changes occurred with every song, but in no way did it interrupt the pace of the show.  Likewise, the tuning and acoustics were very strong.
• While he's 62, you saw none of those years in Buckingham's voice.  It was still strong, even in the most quiet notes.  Likewise, all the high notes were still there.  He sounded like it was 1987 all over again.
• My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the show felt short.  Buckingham played for less than an hour and a half, and given his huge library of work, he could have played for three times what he played and not had to worry about lesser material.  Despite this, in no way do I feel slighted.  I saw an incredible guitarist play his butt off for 13 songs, blow me away with his performance, and leave me smiling.  $40 very, very well spent.

It takes a lot to awe me.  Celebrities don't impress me.  They never have.  But tonight, I was awed.  Hearing Buckingham's screams above the mic made me realize that this was Lindsey Buckingham in our little town.  Lindsey Buckingham!  The man that wrote all of those songs, produced all of those albums, and cranked out what has turned out to be a soundtrack that has played in the background for a good chunk of my life. Wow.

He's a genius at his craft.  His accomplishments are rivaled only by a handful.  He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer.  And tonight, he brought the goods to little Green Bay. 

I hope he comes back again soon.