The Bert Church LIVE Theatre will be host to a Fleetwood Mac tribute band on Sept. 25, including live performances of the iconic rock band’s greatest hits from the 1970s and '80s, along with some of the group's hidden gems.
According to Kirstie Gallant, front of house and box office manager at Bert Church LIVE Theatre, Mac Daddy, The Fleetwood Mac Experience, pays homage to both the band’s artistry as well as their influence on music and popular culture over the years.
“Fleetwood Mac has had an incredible impact on rock music and pop culture through the '70s and '80s and their influence is still strong even now, 30-plus years later, which is incredible,” she said.
Gallant said based on prior feedback, Airdronians responded well to musical acts that are high-energy with recognizable songs. When an opportunity for Bert Church LIVE Theatre to host Mac Daddy came to light, she said it was a “no brainer” for the live music and entertainment venue.
“They’re going to perform some music that people are going to know and they’re going to be excited to listen to and sing along with,” she said. “There’s nothing else like watching music performed live – the energy that you feel from the audience, the group. You get this vibration that you’re so excited to be in this space and to hear what’s about to happen.”
Gallant added if guests are on the fence about purchasing a ticket to the event, they are guaranteed an entertaining evening that celebrates the return to live music in Airdrie, as well as “the incredible music” of Fleetwood Mac.
“For a lot of our patrons, seeing Fleetwood Mac perform live is something that’s not going to happen in their lifetime,” she said. “Mac Daddy is really going to bring the spirit and energy of Fleetwood Mac to Airdrie, and it’s not something that you want to miss.”
Laurie Slater, lead vocalist of Mac Daddy and honourary Stevie Nicks, said the band has been performing together as a Fleetwood Mac tribute act for approximately four years, and in that time, they’ve become like a family.
“I’m like the mom of the band,” she said. “I’m way younger than Stevie, but I’m still the mom of the band. When I met [the other band members], they were such an amazingly talented group that I was so blown away.”
Slater added she has been performing as a musician for most of her life and was rocking out to Fleetwood Mac back in the 1980s.
“All of us, we just adored Fleetwood Mac’s music. We rocked to it and we cried to it,” she said. “How can you not feel something deep with Stevie or Christie or Lindsay’s voice and the music that they write as a story about the depth of emotion?”
According to Slater, each band member has been inspired by Fleetwood Mac in their own way as they each range in age and experience.
“I find it so cool that generationally we all have a different reason why we love the music,” she said, adding that each member brings their unique style to the performance.
Slater brings to the stage a high-energy and free-spirited style, along with platform boots á la Stevie herself.
“None of us are replaceable,” she said. “All of us connect with the audience. We really truly care about the audience experience and cohesively coming together with the audience – it's such a rush.”
Gallant added while some patrons are excited and ready to return to live events, the theatre understands others may feel continued hesitation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have the safety and experience of everyone at the forefront of our mind, and we’ll do everything that we can to keep them well and happy in our facility while they’re here,” she said.
Bert Church LIVE Theatre is following all provincially mandated public health orders, and if there are shifts to those orders, Gallant added the theatre will attempt to reach out to ticket holders as soon as possible.
Tickets can be purchased 24/7 online at tickets.airdrie.ca or through box office in person or over the phone at 403-948-8824.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
