Blog Post
Lindsey Buckingham - London Palladium, Saturday 1st October 2022
Laura DQ • 2 October 2022
Live Review
It’s hard to believe this is Lindsey Buckingham’s first solo show in the UK. And, for a while, it seemed that things were conspiring to ensure it would never happen. Originally scheduled for May, Lindsey was struck with covid and forced to cancel. Then, just last week, shows were quietly called off in Europe. Add to that the worst rail strike of the year and things weren’t looking good for the London date. But thankfully, it did go ahead and proved to be more than worth the wait.
Buckingham’s solo work has always been more challenging than that of his Fleetwood Mac counterparts; not content to stick with what’s popular, he has always been an innovator. And, as someone who notoriously spent many hours experimenting in the studio, it’s impressive to hear these songs performed so convincingly live.
Not Too Late is perhaps an unlikely choice to open the show; quiet and reflective, underpinned with the distinctive guitar playing that is so much Lindsey’s trademark. In Our Own Time doesn’t play by the rules of convention either but successfully lifts the energy. Soul Drifter is surprisingly breezy pop, followed by the moving and introspective Stars Are Crazy. Buckingham’s voice is as unique as his guitar playing and lights up the quirky I Must Go and Doing What I Can, both of which bring some bounce to proceedings.
A short solo section follows; Lindsey, alone with his guitar provides the standout performances of the evening. There’s Shut Us Down, a wonderful showcase of his fingerpicking style that somehow sounds like he’s playing several guitars instead of one. And Trouble, a heartbreakingly perfect song about loving someone you shouldn’t but being powerless to resist. Of course, it’s Never Going Back Again and Big Love that raise the biggest cheers; Fleetwood Mac classics stripped back but sounding all the more powerful. It’s just unfortunate that the quiet intimacy of these songs is ruined by an audience who seem to be incapable of sitting still for a 90 minute show!
The band return to run through three tracks from last year’s self titled album; I Don’t Mind is particularly beautiful, but the jangling guitar of On the Wrong Side and Scream also highlight the strength of this late career peak.
The evening was never going to wrap up with anything other than a selection of Fleetwood Mac favourites. Second Hand News sounds as good as it ever did, the talented musicians on stage ably handling the vocal harmonies synonymous with much of Buckingham’s work. Tusk stomps in with a tribal rhythm like no other pop song on earth and raises the excitement in the Palladium to new heights. I’m So Afraid is extended to a lengthy blues jam and Go Your Own away has everyone on their feet, an irresistible classic that never feels tired or overplayed.
I’m disappointed to have to run before the encores; but limited travel options mean I have a coach to catch. I’m hopeful that given the warmth of the reception and mention of a new album in the pipeline, Lindsey won’t wait quite so long to grace us with his presence again.