Review: The Fleetwood Mac Story, Fringe 2024

I can’t imagine going a whole Fringe without seeing at least one Night Owl Production show.

With Night Owl you get good music, good production values, interesting insight and a fantastic venue with TheSpace and Surgeons’ Hall.

Let me tell you how The Fleetwood Mac Story differs from the other Night Owl musical documentaries/tributes I’ve seen.

I think The Fleetwood Mac Story has the highest music-to-history ratio of any of the other shows. It certainly has the most singers: two female vocalists and one male (genders presumed).

I have no objections. I did want to learn more about Fleetwood Mac. I adore the music, but I’m a rubbish fan. I rarely bother to learn anything about a band but will greedily absorb all sorts of facts about a group, especially if it is wrapped in a musical tribute. On the other hand, if given a choice of hearing one more Fleetwood Mac cover brilliantly belted it with skill and gusto, then that’s hard to say no to!

Tone

What do you call this? A cover band? A tribute? A homage? It’s high octane from the outset as Reine Beau sings her way down from the back of the audience on the stage.

Tip: Don’t be tardy to this show. Sneaking in is super awkward, although the Night Owl band is incredibly patient with latecomers.

The band is in a semicircle at the back, and there are podiums off the slender stage for some of the guitarists and singers to stand on. No matter where you sit, you’ll get a good view. 

It’s clear, I think, that the signers  Hannah Richards, Alex Beharrel, and Reine Beau have their favourite songs. It makes a difference when the band themselves seem to be Fleetwood Mac fans or at least appropriately respectful of the music. I concede that not all of the Fleetwood Mac band’s past behaviours are necessarily worthy of the same regard as the music.

Fleetwood Mac is not an easy band to match, but Night Owls are talented, justice is done, and tribute is made. The audience quickly gets into the spirit, clapping, swaying and riding the rhythm.

What to expect

Looking back, I suspect there were about eight songs, perhaps just shy of that. 

Understandably, a lot was taken from the mega-hit Rumours. Again, I would have accepted a more diverse sampling, but it’s also hard to say no when these blockbusters are performed live just a few meters from you!

Controversy? There’s at least one solo Stevie Nicks cover, and I’m sure some Fleetwood Mac purists will argue that that shouldn’t count, but I didn’t mind. It was my favourite.

In short, Night Owl go for the “all killer no filler” approach to filling their time without. 

Overall

It’s day three or four of the festival season. I’ve already lost count as the late-night review publishing and early-morning rises blur into one whirlwind. I was beginning to flag! My stamina isn’t great… but this musical blast was a real pick-me-up that recharged my batteries.

Expect comfortable seats, absolutely superb music, and just a little glimpse into Fleetwood Mac’s incredible history. Fans should go, and friends and family of Fleetwood Mac fans can come along and enjoy the hour, too.