Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park

The mere thought of standing a few feet from Stevie Nicks herself seems impossible. Until there she is, materialising before her devoted fans’ eyes. This set isn’t just about reliving old memories through her greatest hits. This is an artist who carries a rich history, countless stories and miles travelled, all of which she’s eager to share and bring to life, with the same energy and joy. 

For now, a sense of wonder hangs in the air. Friends point at the long-haired woman on stage, a silent confirmation – “Is this really happening?” Stevie Nicks, after all, has become a legend, a powerful storyteller with decades of experience. She bridges a generational gap, uniting fans young and old. Wide-eyed and enthralled, some sport top hats, others flowy white skirts, all swaying gently, mouthing lyrics. It slowly seems to dawn on everyone: this is a heartfelt performance that transcends mere entertainment. It’s a tribute – to Nicks’s legendary life, to cherished friends, and to the long, winding road she’s walked.

She opens the concert with Outside the Rain, followed by fan-favourites If Anyone Falls and Dreams. Hearing the latter performed live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that takes time to fully absorb. Exuding vitality and passion, the singer-songwriter even gifts her audience with a few wardrobe changes, first by wearing the original blue velvet cape from the back cover of Bella Donna, and after by reappearing in a sequined gold one as Gold Dust Woman starts. With raw and powerful vocals, Nicks is one of few artists who can make history with one twirl.

At the end of her set, after a performance of Rhiannon that has everyone swaying, dancing and singing along, Nicks brings out her special guest for a very special performance of two of her darlings, Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around and Landslide. Harry Styles joins her on stage, as the audience gasps in disbelief, slowly taking it in, holding onto every second.

Performing these two songs with the pop star is momentous: deeply emotional and heartfelt, they hold hands and stare into each other eyes. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around is a tribute to Tom Petty, her former duet partner. Fatefully, their last performance together was in Hyde Park in 2017, which was also the last time they saw each other, as Petty sadly passed away a few months later.

With Landslide, Nicks ends a set that is as magical as bittersweet. On Christine McVie’s birthday, fellow Fleetwood Mac member and a close friend, she asks Styles to help her tell this very crucial story – a story of loss, grief and love that are all still as alive as ever. One also can’t help but wonder if she is trying to warn Styles about what’s ahead, gently and compassionately, while reflecting on her own journey, her own wins and losses.

Watching Nicks perform Landslide, singing, “But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m gettin’ older, too,” as images of her and McVie are being projected behind, is an experience that will forever remain in the memory of everyone lucky enough to witness it. 

Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Sharon Lopez/JRC McCord/Phoebe Fox

For further information and future events visit Stevie Nicks’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Edge of Seventeen here: