An Evening With Stevie Nicks: Lace, Legends, and a Voice That Refuses to Fade

On December 10th, 2025,  something special happened at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. It was one of those nights where you walk into the venue already knowing you’re about to witness a piece of musical history. A Stevie Nicks concert isn’t just another show on the calendar; it’s an occasion. You could feel it as soon as you stepped inside. Fans floated around the lobby in lace, velvet, leather jackets, long skirts, platform boots, shawls, and scarves, swaying with every step — a sea of “Stevie energy” everywhere you looked.

The venue was completely packed. I mean, packed. Top row of the upper deck, all the way. And here’s what truly surprised me: easily half the audience — maybe more — looked under 30. That says a lot. Very few artists remain relevant across five generations, but Stevie Nicks has earned that place. She’s not just a rock star; she’s an icon woven into pop culture. Even Barbie knows it — she has two dolls made in her likeness. At one point, she proudly talked about her “Bella Donna Barbie,” the Mattel doll dressed just like her 1981 album cover. Seeing her talking about that with a bit of sparkle in her eyes was honestly adorable.

Stevie’s Voice: Timeless, Emotional, Undeniably Hers

At 77, Stevie’s voice still carries that unmistakable power — that slightly rasped, emotional warmth that feels like it wraps around you—hearing her sing “Edge of Seventeen,” knowing the range and energy that song demands, genuinely impressed the entire room. Sure, her movements are softer now. A shoulder injury from a few months ago has slowed her iconic twirls. But every time she attempted even a slight spin, the crowd erupted in applause, cheering her on as if they could physically lift her through pure love. And she felt it. She really did.

If you’ve ever been to a Stevie Nicks concert, you know that the songs are only half the experience. The rest is the storytelling — long, winding, personal stories that feel like sitting with your favorite aunt while she opens her old diary. Some went on for several minutes, but honestly? Nobody minded. They were tender, funny, nostalgic, and filled with details about her friendships and inspirations. Her tribute to Tom Petty was one of the most heartfelt moments of the night. You could hear the affection in her voice.

All the photos featured in this article are provided by The Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

Stevie brought her 2025 solo-tour band, a group she clearly trusts and enjoys performing with, and the chemistry onstage was undeniable. Waddy Wachtel, her longtime guitarist and musical director, led with his signature sharp, expressive playing, while Carlos Rios added depth and color on guitar. Al Ortiz anchored the rhythm section on bass, and Drew Hester kept the heartbeat steady and powerful on drums. Ricky Peterson and Darrell Smith layered the songs with that dreamy, floating keyboard texture that is so essential to Stevie’s sound, while Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks delivered harmonies so rich and seamless that their voices felt like threads woven directly into Stevie’s own. Every song felt anchored, confident, and beautifully arranged.

The setlist unfolded like a guided tour through Stevie’s universe — part memoir, part tribute, part spiritual experience. She opened with “Not Fade Away,” a The Crickets‘ cover, setting an energetic tone before moving into “If Anyone Falls,” and from there the night eased into that classic Stevie transition: “Outside the Rain” melting straight into “Dreams,” with the entire audience singing every word. As always, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” carried special weight, especially after Stevie spoke so lovingly about Tom Petty and the role he played in her life; in many ways, the whole show felt like a warm, tender homage to him. Newer material like “The Lighthouse” blended naturally with the emotional nostalgia of “Wild Heart” and “Bella Donna.”

When “Stand Back” kicked in, the entire venue woke up — shawls spinning, people dancing in the aisles, even the security guards smiling at the chaos. Her cover of “Free Fallin’” turned into one of the most heartfelt moments of the night, the room glowing with phone lights as she honored Tom Petty once again. “Gold Dust Woman” came drenched in drama, “Gypsy” (my personal favorite) floated across the room like a dream we all stepped into together, and “Edge of Seventeen” closed the main set with raw power, that unmistakable guitar line shaking the room the way only Stevie can.

For the encore, she returned with “Rhiannon,” as mystical as ever, and finished with “Landslide,” a song that always finds the softest part of the heart. As photos of Christine McVie appeared on the big screen, the audience responded with warm applause — not tears, but a shared, genuine appreciation for a friendship and musical legacy that shaped generations. It was a beautiful moment, delicate and sincere, and the perfect way to close a night filled with love, memories, and the unmistakable magic of Stevie Nicks.