(editor’s note – originally scheduled for June 30)

(editor’s note – Randy Newman was originally scheduled for this date, but that show was canceled)

Fleetwood Mac at SPAC: 29,000 jam-packed fans came to listen

by Martin Moynihan, The Knickerbocker News, July 27, 1978

Three helicopters whisked Fleetwood Mac, one of today’s most popular music groups, into the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Wednesday.

But for 29,458 fans, it wasn’t quite that simple.

Traffic backed up on Route 9 for more than a mile before the concert. And although a good number of spectators left their seats even before the group’s three-song encore began, the last cars rolled out of the SPAC parking lot at about 1 a.m., nearly two hours after the concert had ended.

For about three dozen persons, the time to leave the concert was clear-cut. State Park Police said between 35 and 40 persons were arrested during the show, mostly on charges of disorderly conduct, taken from the amphitheater to face the charges at the Saratoga County Jail and released either on bail or on their own recognizance.

The attendance figures were the highest at SPAC this season, although they did not break the record of 33,000 set by The Who in 1971.

There had been some speculation that Fleetwood Mac, a California-based band with its roots in England, might break attendance records. The 5,100 reserved-seat tickets inside the amphitheater sold out even before the concert was officially announced, after an advance schedule was sent to SPAC members; advance sale of lawn seats was 16,000.

The audience, packed on the sloping lawn of SPAC and extending back on blankets, heard an exciting concert of mixed blues-tinged rock music. Singer Stevie Nicks showed an often powerful voice, although not seeming to reach the high notes she had on the albums “Fleetwood Mac” and “Rumours.”

Singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham showed polish among a highly polished group, excelling in rock guitar work in such songs as “So Afraid.”

Keyboardist-vocalist Christine McVie exhibited a beautiful, clear voice, so important to the Fleetwood Mac sound.

Material came mostly from previous albums.

It was an audience of mixed age that had clearly come to listen.

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