Powhiri for band gets great response

The song Rhiannon proved the perfect response to a welcoming powhiri for Fleetwood Mac.

After Saturday's concert at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, the members of Fleetwood Mac were treated to a powhiri backstage by a local kapahaka group.

New Plymouth District Council manager business development and events Garry Sharpe-Young said the band had never refused a powhiri.

It was simply a timing issue.

"The time schedules were changing and all over the place," Mr Sharpe-Young said.

As Fleetwood Mac members Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie went backstage after the show, the powhiri happened behind the scenes.

"The kapahaka group looked magnificent and sounded wonderful," said Mr Sharpe-Young.

"They performed, then Lindsay McLeod explained this is what we normally do and people usually sing a song back but you don't need to, but they did Rhiannon."

He said having Stevie Nicks singing two feet away was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mick Fleetwood grabbed a rubbish bin from the caterers and started banging away on it, said Mr Sharpe-Young, adding a cheeky Mr McLeod hugged Ms Nicks and asked for her phone number.

- © Fairfax NZ News