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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Dreams on at The Gin Mill

On Aug. 29 at Northampton’s Gin Mill and Grille, you can see Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac with Stevie Nicks together on one stage.

Or at least, the way you would like to see them with the tribute band Dreams.

“It’s a magical tribute in many ways,” says Alexxis Steele in her home and the band’s practice space in Allentown. “It’s an experience people could never have, seeing them all together.”

Fleetwood Mac has gone through many changes musically and in membership since forming in 1969. They might never tour again, although band member Stevie Nicks still performs. Tom Petty died in 2017.

The band did a tribute to the same musicians in September 2024 at the Roxy Theatre, which is two-tenths of one mile from the Gin Mill.

“We had 350 people there, a near sellout,” says Steele, adding, “There were lines waiting around the block to get in.”

The latest Dreams tribute will be a step up. “The earlier show was a test run,” says guitarist and singer Bryan Shumway, who takes the role of Tom Petty.   

“There will be improved lights and sound, a projection screen with images and videos, fan dancers and a ballet dancer, and a few surprises,” says Steele, adding, “We will be introducing seven songs we have not done before.”

Steele takes the part of Stevie Nicks in her solo career and with Fleetwood Mac. Steele will have six costume changes during the two sets.

Unlike the Roxy show, the Gin Mill concert is for audiences 21 and older, with food and drinks available and an area for dancing. Steele says getting to the concert early would be preferable for good seating and parking.

The show will have familiar songs with some deep cuts not often heard. Dreams does not try to do exact copies.

“We keep the structure of the songs but add our own flavor. There might be a dive bomb with the guitar or a new solo. That allows us to be creative,” says Shumway.

Dreams began in 2022. They are looking to perform in theaters and similar venues, venturing outside of the Lehigh Valley and touring the East Coast.

Many tours by national acts are under performing, largely because of rising ticket costs. Dynamic pricing, the use of flexible costs which increases as demand rises, can be typical.

“The tribute band circuit is big. They can avoid the fees and dynamic pricing of Ticketmaster,” says Sarah Teets.

Teets, who sings and plays keyboards and flute, takes the part of the late Christine McVie. This will be her first Dreams show.

All six members of Dreams are in other bands. Steele is in the Steel Rose rock group. Shumway and bassist Rick Callahan play country music in Whiskey Hollow. Shumway is also in the Sights of Hope band, for a nonprofit which supports the visually impaired.

Guitarist and singer Steve Ricker, who represents Lindsey Buckingham in Dreams, heads the long running blues group Crosscut Saw.

Drummer Todd Leibenguth, another newcomer to Dreams, is in the Weekenders.

Sarah Teets sings with the power progressive metal band Mindmaze.

Dreams, 8 p.m. -11 p.m. Aug. 29, The Gin Mill and Grille, 1750 Main St., Northampton. Tickets information:, 610-262-5486,

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dreams-magical-tribute-experience-debuts-at-the-gin-mill-and-grille-tickets-1991837363172?aff=oddtdtcreator

CONTRIBUTED PHOTODreams, in concert, 8 p.m. Aug. 29, The Gin Mill and Grille, Northampton.