Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

St George's Hall

STILL reeling from missing out on that must-see Fleetwood Mac tour this year, I hoped last night's set by this acclaimed tribute act would go some way to making up for it.

I wasn't disappointed. Comprising seven top-class singers and musicians, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac re-create the sound of the originals so beautifully you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Introduced by a video message from Mick Fleetwood no less, the band opened with Gold Dust Woman and ploughed through old favourites and crowd-pleasers, as well as paying tribute to Peter Green's early blues period.

With a video backdrop featuring footage of the real Fleetwood Mac, this was a joyous celebration of the supergroup, skilfully replicating their power, subtlety and range.

Classic after classic unfolded, from anthems like Little Lies to the dreamy Albatross, accompanied by a stunning video. Each song was a gem - Everywhere, Dreams, Gypsy, Songbird and The Chain among them - and by the opening notes of Go Your Own Way there was dancing in the aisles. A delighted audience was on its collective feet for the encore; a rousing delivery of Tusk and Don't Stop.

Louise Rogan was pitch-perfect as Stevie Nicks and captured the singer's boho look, complete with trademark ribbon and chain dangling from the mic stand. Her gorgeous rendition of Landslide, a song that is particularly significant to me, moved me to tears.

Amanda Kostadinov looked and sounded uncannily like Christine McVie, while Dave Goldberg lit up the stage as Peter Green for a fabulous blues set that included Black Magic Woman.

I took along a friend who was lucky enough to see the real Fleetwood Mac this summer. Her verdict? "Brilliant!"