Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks paid tribute to the late Christine McVie by inviting Harry Styles to perform “Landslide” at the British Summer Time (BST) festival.
The 76-year-old American rock star and Styles, 30, performed the song on what would have been the former Nicks bandmate’s 81st birthday, with a photo of McVie projected on a screen behind them.
Speaking to the crowd about McVie, who died in 2022 at age 79, Nicks said, “I asked Harry to do this. It’s always hard to get someone to sing with you on a song that’s about a good friend who passed away suddenly.”
She added: “Today was her birthday and it’s taken me this long just to try and deal with the situation.
“But when I was little and I got hurt, my mom would always say, ‘Stevie, whenever you get hurt, just run onto the stage.’ And ever since Chris passed away, I’ve been running onto the stage, because it was all of you that helped me get through this.”
The pair also performed “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” for music fans in Hyde Park, a song Nicks recorded with Tom Petty, who died in 2017 at the age of 66.
At the beginning of the show, Nicks paid tribute to her friend by performing his hit “Free Fallin'”, telling the audience that she could feel the American singer’s presence.
“The last time I was here I got to stand on stage with Tom Petty and sing songs that I’ve always loved to sing,” she said.
“That was the last time I saw him, so being back here today is a special day for me in a lot of ways because I feel his presence and I know he’s with us.”
“As It Was” singer Styles joined Nicks for an encore after a rousing set in which she reminisced with Fleetwood Mac hits such as Dreams and Gypsy.
She also performed some of her own solo anthems, including “Edge Of Seventeen” and “Bella Donna.”
She said that the song was the first time she wore a cape, and it was an original from the Bella Donna album.
Nicks revealed more shawls to the audience, including a black and gold cape for “Stand Back” and a glittery cape for “Gold Dust Woman.”
Nicks, who took to the London stage in a black velvet top and ruffled skirt, is known for her shawls and is often thought to have a witchy fashion sense.
Nicks paid tribute to another American rock star with “For What It’s Worth,” written by Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Before singing the song, Nicks urged the audience to vote, saying, “Don’t be like me,” and admitting that she didn’t vote until she was “like 70 years old.”
About the song, she said: “So this song wasn’t a political song, even though it might seem that way… this song is actually about partying.”
“So when I started listening to it again about two years ago, I started thinking, ‘Hey, I’m going to record this song and play it onstage.'”
“The reason I wanted to do this is to let people know that even if it wasn’t political, now it is political. Thank you, Stephen Stills, for doing this.”
“And what that means right now, to me, is the same thing I’ve been telling every American for the last two years: No matter what, just vote.”
“And that’s it. It doesn’t matter who you support, just use your God-given right and go vote.”
A host of supporting artists graced the stage before Nicks’ headline set, including American singer Brandi Carlile, Mercury Prize nominee Anna Calvi and indie artist Paris Paloma.
Carlile appeared onstage before Nicks in a tailored green suit and entertained the crowd with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock.”
She also performed Queen’s “We Are The Champions” before declaring “football is coming home” in reference to the upcoming Euro final.
Nicks’ headlining show comes after two shows were postponed earlier this month due to a “recent leg injury.”
Glasgow’s OVO Hydro announced the news in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 6th, which read: “Due to a recent leg injury requiring minor surgery with several days of recovery, Stevie Nicks’ Glasgow show on Saturday July 6th and Manchester show on Tuesday July 9th have been postponed.”
Headliners at this year’s BST festival include other superstars such as Canadian singer Shania Twain, R&B artist SZA and American rock band Kings of Leon, with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue due to perform on Saturday night.
release date: Radio News Hub
