Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live in London
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / Stevie Nicks
BST London Hyde Park
July 9th 2017
View: Stage Centre, Diamond Circle
Once again BST was blessed with a stunning summer evening. Stevie Nicks played a judicious blend of solo hits and Fleetwood Mac numbers with Waddy Wachtel outstanding on a series of mouthwatering vintage guitars. Stevie gave us a second opportunity to be amazed by her dress sense (white fur coat? fingerless gloves ? in July ??) when she re-appeared to duet with Petty on Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, a highlight of the entire concert. Petty played the same 40th Anniversary set he has been touring in the US: strong on Wildflowers and solo material, sadly lacking in songs from the Heartbreakers golden period of 1977 – 1985. Mike Campbell on guitar and Benmont Tench on piano shone throughout, whilst adding the Webb Sisters has extended both the vocal and visual side – great dancing on an extended Don’t Come Around Here No More. The set was book-ended by the first and last tracks of that self-tiled debut LP: Rockin’ Around (With You) and American Girl gave glimpses of this extraordinary band’s capabilities.
(written for Record Collector magazine)
Only Rock 'n' Roll 