Year: 2011

Curt Smith at Whitefire Theatre (Lisa’s experience)

Lisa is one of the travelling fans. She made it out to the 1 June solo show. Read about her experience…

When Curt Smith announced his residency at the Whitefire Theatre, I really wanted to go, but initially didn’t think it was possible to afford the trip from Baltimore to Los Angeles and be able to take the time off from work.  I also didn’t know of anyone that could afford to go with me and was hesitant about traveling that far alone.  As the date of his first show grew closer, the desire to go grew stronger.  I began to search online for airline and hotel prices, and WhiteFire Theatre Californiadreamed of being able to make it work.  Finally I decided I needed to do it, had to do it!  Initially I planned to travel alone, fly out the day before the show, and return the day after. Thanks to some help, I was able to arrange to bring my dear friend with me.  Because I was no longer traveling by myself, we decided to stay a few more days and enjoy Los Angeles.  I had not been there since 1979!  The trip was amazing, the best time I have had in years.  We did all of the things the typical tourists would do and loved it!

Of course, Curt’s concert was the highlight of the trip. I was able to arrange for VIP tickets and I was the first to enter the theatre during sound check.  As we walked into the theatre, I turned back to say something to my friend and when I turned around I was face to face with Curt, as he was standing behind the microphone with his guitar, warming up for the show.  He smiled at me and I couldn’t believe what was happening!!  The show was amazing!  The interaction between Curt, the band and the fans was fabulous.  He performed songs from Tears For Fears, his solo works and collaborations, along with cover tunes by The Cars and Coldplay.

We enjoyed his rendition of “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story,” a song he had to sing after losing a bet to Charlton. 

Every song was wonderful, but I have to say his cover of “Parents” by the Budgies was my favorite. It was breathtaking. It was just him, his incredible voice, and an acoustic guitar and I was mesmerized. I could have listened to him sing all night long and still have wanted more. After the show, Curt signed autographs and graciously posed for the cameras with his adoring fans. After meeting Curt, I became very emotional.  It was my dream to meet him and my dream had come true. The evening was coming to an end, and it was time for me to leave. I was hesitant to ask Curt for a hug good-bye, not knowing how he felt about that kind of thing. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I went for it, asked, he obliged and what a great hug it was.  My heartfelt thanks to Curt, for a wonderful evening I will never forget.

Set List:

Drive (Cover), Seven of Sundays, Coming Out, Trees, Aeroplane, Beautiful Failure, Everybody Wants to Rule the World (+ some great Jazzy jam session instrumentals in between songs)

Fans sang Happy Birthday to Curt as an early birthday present
-Intermission-
I Feel Pretty (yes, that one, we’ll let Andye explain that one), Reach Out, Where Do I Go, Parents (Cover), Snow Hill, Halfway Pleased, All is Love, Yellow (Cover)
& Mad World

Music Superheroes: Batman d’Orzabal & Superman Smith

During the Tears for Fears stop in Vegas, several members from the stateside Kooks Team CS were hanging around the pool… 11am-ish. I’d been up for hours…watching the sunrise and reading tweets by Michael Wainwright. So by the afternoon I was light headed and dizzy, wishing I had brought swim gear so I could splish splash around in the water with Carri D. And as we laughed and giggled various fans came over to say hi saying they recognized me by my
glasses from Facebook and other online Tears for Fears fan communities.

While we sat there some of the Tears for Fears road crew & Casino team were setting  up speakers and running cords. We were busy chatting about the band and what was going to be on the set list. Our conversation was the same with each fan that came up to us as we sat perched between palm trees, looking at the stage and watching how the whole event was put together. Music Superheroes became the term of the afternoon and was used to describe both Roland and Curt so passerbys &road crew wouldn’t think we were talking about them like a bunch of groupies. And from that, the names Batman and Superman were the selected for these Rock Royalists. 

It was perfect because earlier that summer we’d given Curt a Superman bag filled with a special watch from us and then some branded items that my boss said he might like. From that day forward Batman (pronounced with excitement BATmaaayyyn) and Superman (Supaaahmaahhn) replaced Roland and Curt’s names in just about every conversation online and off. It’s been fun. And Manami from the Japan Tears and Kooks team created this cool picture of the  Online Party game theme. It’s been a blast…some childhood fun come to life in a modern way. I even got a Batman lunchbox recently after spotting in the check outline of a dress shop believe it or not. Too much fun! 

Would Tears for Fears ft. Sophie Hunger & Tinariwen (maybe?)

Funny how Tears For Fears have been a great cushion and encouragement for me to appreciate my own culture. Over the years they’ve worked with a number of cultured artists and always have a diverse group alongside them in some form or fashion. I believe with all my heart Tears For Fears would make great music event hosts, headlining an international night of global stars. I recently saw two I could imagine in one of their future fascinating festival line ups.

Tinariwen featuring Sophie Hunger

Tinariwen’s legendary show was so incredible and so overwhelming it took me over a week to wrap my mind around the experience. I first saw them on TV… CNN International in fact, on Inside Africa and other programs highlighting the world’s great musicians. A note had barely been played and I was already hooked. To hear of talent bursting out of the coveted and sacred Tuareg region of the world was exhilarating. And thank G-d for Facebook because that’s how I found out they were coming. With them was Sophie Hunger who explained to us how she and her band drive for nearly 8 hours a day in a car from city to city to do these 40 minute shows and how much it meant to her. She said she appreciated us paying attention as if that wasn’t something that happened regularly…but how on earth could one not pay attention to her? That voice! Oh myyy! That alone I feel is why she should one day perform alongside Tears For Fears. She’s got this range from heaven and her lyrics are deep. Accompanied by two outstanding multi-instrumentalists; the combination of the three make them an opening act you almost don’t want to perform without!

My Show Experience: The Fan Point of View I don’t think the show was promoted very well. How I coincidently ran across this concert announcement is not how a legendary group’s show should be spread. Nonetheless, Alhumdulillah! I got my ticket about 2-weeks before and then on the blessed day was up at 6am to get ready for their 8pm show. I went through a number of rituals I do for shows I deem sacred. There was the cleansing, polishing scrubbing, raqs workouts, meditation…the whole nine yards. This was not a show to take lightly. Anyone could be there…anything could happen. Hours rolled by and 6pm came. It was “go time.” I happily found the Variety Playhouse with ease. I’d been there so many times but my nervousness left me concerned if I’d find it without getting turned around in circles. All that worry for nothing. I was 2nd at the door.

I sat at Fevzi’s (Ali Baba’s) place and listened to the ultra talented Sophie Hunger chit chat with new fans who warned her not to take that beer down the street or she’d be arrested. They complimented her shoes and cool European clothes. She was very cute. Little did I know she had one incredible set that she was about to lay on us. A new fan asked for her autograph and I specifically remember her saying, “I’d give it to you but it’s worthless.” My heart sank! She has no idea of her worth! The lady is so talented and beautiful. If I had been that fan I’d have demanded she give me her autograph…or bribed her with another beer…something!! LOL!

The line began to form and there were mostly couples as expected. This show I imagined would bring in families and tons of locals from the Maghreb. I rather expected a homogenous audience but instead found it to be full of international families and young men and women who looked as if they’d been following this band for a while with their demand to be left alone in the front row. Once we were permitted inside (right at 7:30 on the dot as promised) Security came around telling each of us seated on the front row that people would get up and stand in front of us. We quickly let them know we’d be one of the many doing just that. They got the picture and left us alone to squirm uncontrollably for this show to start.

Superfanatic Friend

Victoria from Tennessee drove 5 hours to see Tinariwen. She too was up at 6am to get ready for the show. Her family dropped her off at the venue at 3pm and she was fortunate to meet the band and hang out with them while she waited for the show. Her energy was through the roof. She was just like me at a Tears For Fears concert…eager and waiting with angst as the hours ticked away til show time. While we waited, the music was just pure hard core blue-grass. Songs about cornbread and square dancing with the local gals…It was complimentary to the night only  because we knew we were about to hear some raw-straight-from-the desert-music…and well, that blue grass set was straight out of Appalachia. Vicky was tapping her feet the whole time. I don’t think it was because she necessarily enjoyed it but because she was so anxious for the show to start anything to get her mind off of the wait was helping. Here’s her story about her experience: Feel free to read this and come back to see it from an international community point of view.

Though I adore their music and got hooked to their sound quickly, as it takes me back to the loving days when my family was all here in the states; I’m not nearly as up on my Tinariwen facts as Victoria. So I was thrilled to have her with me and get a thorough lesson on who each group member was and what songs were on the set list. If it wasn’t for Victoria wouldn’t have had as good of a time. She was a great help the whole evening and if she hadn’t been there I’d have spent the whole time worried about singing the songs correctly or calling certain members by the wrong name.

Sophie Hunger

Sophie sang several of her own songs and changed up one to fit the environment… including the words “Little 5 Points” in the lyrics. Such a cool nod to all of us in Atlanta and the neighbourhood that was hosting them for the evening. The remaining songs were a mix of English, Swiss German and some French. I enjoyed her entire set and certainly want to collect her music. She made a new fan out of me within the first 3 minutes of sharing her powerful sound. It was incredible. You have to hear her. Here’s a short clip that doesn’t do her justice but you’ll perhaps understand…

One of the beautiful things about the night was the aesthetically pleasing stage. I’ve been to so many shows at The Variety Playhouse and I’ve never seen a stage set so well. The colours changed with each song and the background was gorgeous. I don’t remember this when seeing Cheb Khaled, Gogol Bordello or others. Of course many bands have their own backdrops but was that of the playhouse or?? Stunning choice!! When Sophie completed her set the stage lights came up for just a few minutes. By this time the whole playhouse was filled…not sold out but filled and that was comforting…though this band is SO BIG there’s no explanation as to why the tickets didn’t sell out and several fans made their voices heard with anger that more people weren’t there to hear them. Of all cities in the south, Atlanta should have sold out. But embarrassingly we were not and that may be due to the personal agendas of many people in our community or…The “messed up economy” that has left many without the means to attend anything at all.

Tinariwen 

House lights dropped, the band began to emerge from the gorgeous backdrop. Victoria and the whole front row lept up and walked forward clapping while  zaghareets wailed through the venue. We stopped just short at the stage, my head right at Hassan’s feet and their spirit just took over. The set included a number of their top hits and some of the newer items that have been promoted around the world. Right now, my favourite song by them is this one on which Carlos Santana accompanied at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. And our show felt very intimate like this one here:

And here’s a short clip of perhaps my favourite song of the night. 

Tinariwen’s influence is certainly from their culture/our culture…that sound from Mali/Niger and surrounding countries and cultures that make up one of the most beautiful and naturally serene parts of the world. But Rock, Blues and other genres are embedded into their sound because they heard this music on television growing up. Read their history here: They are the Desert’s Guitar. They are some of the best representatives of the region’s sound and again what an honour to be front row dancing and swaying in a cultural fashion (as we do) with them leading the way…particularly Hassan, who dances the entire time. It’s amazing.

When they walked off stage my greedy, selfish, superfanself went into beg mode. “Hassan, I want a towel. Give me a towel, please?!!” They had barely had a moment to bow to the audience I was already reaching cause I was afraid they’d walk off. So I’m yelling in French and Arabic to please let me have the towel. Hassan stuck around and got the two towels left on stage and gently threw them to me and Victoria. We were totally giddy. My pals in the international community who know “how I am” laughed and shook their heads. “She’ll sleep good tonight,” I could hear in the minds of several. Security even said, “I don’t get it…what joy do you get from a towel?” I told him quickly about my collection from bands all over the world.

Then I walked toward the backstage door because one of the members was standing there. I got some pictures and then security politely told us we had to go because they needed to clear the area and start breaking down the stage. The members of Tinariwen were gracious and said, “Just come with us…” And so those of us who were standing around them (about 10 of us at this point who had gotten past security’s suggestion to use the other door and leave out the front) followed like little ducks to a tiny little room…then a door opened and low and behold there the rest of the band was and the tour bus.  Groups members  welcomed us to hang out with them…so I had to be polite and stay right? LOL! 

We spent about an hour taking picture after picture, getting autographs “Fee Arabi…la’a englessi” I began… stating that please don’t write in English on my ticket. Put it in Arabic! They laughed. I gave Hassan a kiss on the cheek which may not have been the smartest idea because in our culture that’s just being forward and fast. Haram yani…but he got over it and next thing I knew we were all cozy and chatting like brother and sister. Then Ibrahim opened the tour bus door and one of the ladies from Ethiopia got on…then another from India…and then he motioned for me to get on… “Moi?” I asked. He bowed slightly and said, “Yesss…” Well, I wasn’t gonna ask twice. My embroidered gown clad self lifted the garment so that I wouldn’t trip and fall and climbed the steps inside what may as well have been a great palace. 
We sat down, tea was made and we had one of the best evenings that lasted well into 1am…there was singing, storytelling and much more as we sat their cozy and tight together. I loved it! The last time I was on a tour bus was when Bob Marley’s son Ziggy was in town and I waited an hour and half to get onboard. That little friendly family visit cost me my cultural friendship-marriage but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. So there with Tinariwen I felt right at home as if this was supposed to happen. And ceremonies began, tea was poured and conversations the likes you only see at home began…there wasn’t a topic that wasn’t discussed. It was just incredible. (video begins with concert moment)

One of the members from Café Istanbul was there and wanted to go get food and bring it for all. But the night went on and on and we were well into our little ceremony so by the time it was over I suggested she take the guys to Café Istanbul so they could see how beautiful it is. Things were moving a bit fast at this point…and I’ll leave it at that.

It was a gorgeous evening, I made some new friends and I was just absolutely amazed with the kindness and friendly nature of such a grand legendary band. If Tears for Fears are ever in the mood for a jazzy set they’ve got to add Sophie Hunger and Tinariwen to the line up. I was absolutely floored by the music, the energy…everything! It was certainly a night to remember. Victoria and I are eager for the next one!  

Thanks for reading!

Duran Duran at Park Tavern Atlanta (the unofficial scoop)

So, I got the scoop on DuranDuran’s private return to Atlanta for Jezebel Magazine…at least this is how it was relayed to me. I wish like anything I had just believed the advertisement when I saw it rather than doing what I did below. Read on…(but 1st, wasn’t Naomi Campbell just freakin’ brilliant in the “GirlPanic!” video? sizzlin’!)

About 5 days ago (still in a continued appreciation mode for Curt Smith’s (TFF) e-intro to JT) I saw a note on Facebook that read “Win VIP tickets to DuranDuran.” Having not heard anything from the band themselves about a local event I thought the promoters of this event ParkTavern Atlanta, were perhaps willing to send someone to a show in New York or something like that. Given that I’m still in a happy euphoric daze from the Tears for Fears tour and the 15 October Duran Duran Atlanta Chastain show I couldn’t keep asking the media team for time away to “run off with the band.” But being the determined superfan, I looked into it anyway…just to see…

I couldn’t find any information. And my heart was running on skeptical. I simply did not believe Duran Duran was coming back to Atlanta. So, by that Thursday it was “a joke” to me. Tweets, FB updates and other cool things from the band poured in…but nothing mentioned Atlanta. I spoke to Denise in Toronto who was still dancing on the Valentine. I chatted with Sir David Esquire…none of these Duranies had heard about this show or they would have told me. So now I was confirming in my own mind no such thing was going to occur.

Monday afternoon, It’s Halloween 2011: I’m plugging away at media assignments and come across something that needs a second opinion. I walk down the hall to my cwky and after I get my questions answered she says to me, “So you going to Duran Duran tonight?” *enter the thunderstorms and cackling witches on brooms*

All of the sudden the room began to spiral out of control. Like a hellish Halloween nightmare the light fixture seemed to blink and the earth went dark with a moon falling toward me…I had to roll out of the way!

“ohhh my Gaaaahhhd! It wasn’t a joke. It wasN’T A JOKE! IT WASN’T A JOKE!!!” (YES, by now I escalated to a “freak out” in her office. I mean, up stomping around with my hands in the air…then of course I had to sit down cause I felt like I might faint.) My heart was racing. I felt tears swell up in my eyes.  She looks at me with shock and says, “Tell me YOU knew about the show right? You need a ticket?” I sat there at her mercy. “Yes, I need a ticket. I thought it was a joke. I saw the advertising but I thought it was out of state…I thought…” I went on for a few minutes hands flailing and explaining as if she needed to know every detail. She sympathized with me and made some phone calls. Then she turned to me and said, “I’ll know by 6pm.” And with that, I left her office with my head hanging down and slumped back to my desk to recoup and re-concentrate on the tasks at hand. I was so focused that I finished my assignments one hour earlier than usual and then headed out to hopefully hear back from her later.

I did not.

I went home later that night feeling terrible. I fell in the floor after a few tweets and went to sleep. Devastated and determined, I vowed to myself to not ever let such a thing happen again. How could I ever assume that a Duran Duran show may not happen just because the band said nothing about it. Sure, it’s logical, but still, I’m a raqs and rock band superfan I shouldn’ve known better.

The Morning After

I finished up my media assignments and then around the same time tottled back over to the cwky. “Hi! Tell me you went to the show! Please say one of us made it?!” And this is what she said in a nutshell:

It was different than what I expected. We got there on time which was about 8’oclock. No one was there. Just a few people…and they were in costumes. It was like a Halloween party. Then about 10 or 10:30 Duran Duran comes out, gets up and does a cool acoustic set of 4 songs. Simon was there in a big top hat with a tie around it. He was the only one standing. The rest were seated for the most part. One of the pretty girls that’s touring with them now was also there…the one with the long black hair. A slender guy and I think JT was there. They sang 4 songs…asked if they were in Atlanta, which in hindsight was weird…and well, that was about it. We expected more but hey…you know.

We talked more about the details of the music. She’s not a hard core Duranie in comparison to Carri D and Sir David Esquire who could probably feel the vibrations of a Duran Duran song from an iPod 8 people away (just as I can for a Tears for Fears song and have on many occasions but i digress…)  So, she couldn’t really remember the names of the songs. From what I gather the set list was as follows:

All You Need is Now

Hungry Like the Wolf (Acoustic)

Leave the Light on

Reflex

Video of Hungry Like the Wolf, recorded by Cwky& “The Marketing Guy” Posted permission granted by Ryan at Park Tavern 4:35pm 2 November 2011

And now let’s enjoy Girl Panic from the 15 October show (by Duranie atlrio) which was my favourite song performed that night due to the gorgeous young lady on percussion who blew us away with her talent:

Overall, I should’ve been there at Park Tavern. The odd unfairness of that moment makes me queasy and I was sick all night and all morning.  I got sick on the commute into downtown atlanta this morning too. I just should’ve been there. I’d have sat peacefully and well-behaved. If I can sit and listen at a Curt Smith Solo show I can sure as heck behave at DuranDuran… So, here I go throwing myself into the pile of Duranies to legally stalk Atlanta news feeds and hunt down any information that says they’re coming this way again…an intimate venue with Duran Duran is just what I need. I’m perched. I’m ready! Let’s go!

Girl Panic Official Behind the Scenes Info: It is brilliant when bands can take their image and find a company that can push it forward. After these few encounters with Duran Duran and the Duranies I’m blown away with their style and finesse. They look amazing. Looks aren’t everything but first impressions are. I think these guys and their fans have won over a ton of us in the TFF crowd. While we’ll always be groovin’ to Curt & Roland, we are also right there with their pals Duran Duran enjoying fun fashion and things that take you to another place in life. It’s all about fun! And the final product (Girl Panic!) was amazing & brilliant. A clever marketing manager was onboard here and I would kiss their feet with respect. In fact, clever is a petty word:

told ya!

Curt Smith at McCabe’s Guitar Shop (19 November 2010)

Andye Superfan talks about travelling to Curt Smith’s solo at Mc’Cabe’s Guitar Shop.

It hadn’t been 24 hours since I left the presence of Curt Smith at Bardot before there was rumour of yet another show. I think I saw it somewhere on Twitter (of course). Snap Happy Pam (SHP) was determined that I attend. She encouraged me day in and day out to find a way to make it happen even though I had been assigned an Atlanta media week and it would have been literally impossible.  It would also mean I’d be travelling alone for several days in California. I hadn’t travelled alone…ever! But this fear of not having someone hold my hand had cost me a chance to be on set with them during an interview some years ago. So the McCabe’s show was my chance to break this ridiculous habit. Risking the perception of being a stalker I began planning how I’d get away for just the day…even if it meant flying in and flying right back out.

Meanwhile, Team CS had blossomed into a fun online group of 6 (Traci, Janice, The Sisters, Carri D, Alexis and myself) all umbrella’d in (@PapaSFans). We talked about Tears for Fears every single day, befriending each other Facebook and responding to each other’s comments on Curt Smith’s facebook fan page. We were in heaven…all this awesome contact and constant fan club activity. With the TwitChange we got a cool shoutout from Curt thanks to Shaun King and enjoyed following HIM following us.

Mid October, SHP was still asking about the show. “Are you coming?” I didn’t have an answer. I still hadn’t figured out how I was going to get there given that I’d be on assignment right up to the day of the show. He was also appearing at the TedxSF event…he was a guest speaker. I suggested to my media team that we go out there for that and learn something. But again, we already had plans for the week so nothing doin’. But, being the determined superfan I stayed up all night finishing up every inch of the project. I had booked a room in advance, already had a print out of the show ticket and within hours of the approval to leave I got a plane ticket and headed out to L.A. the day of the show…an 830 flight on Delta…all…by…myself!

Miki from Summit Limousines was there at L.A.X. to scoop me up and haul me down to Santa Monica. I checked in and begged for a room within view of the venue. After I lugged my suitcase up the stairs to the 3rd floor (in heels), Alexis and I met on the sidewalk and hugged for as long as possible before troplopsing back to my room and all but screaming with glee that we were about to see Curt Smith again. I was not feeling very well because I hadn’t slept in about 2 days (all that rushing to get through production so I could get out there) but was getting better in that healing California air and just happy to see a familiar face. (Its so funny that now I willfully hop on a plane to California with no need of a soul to guide me)

I remember trying to sleep a little. But I turned the TV on and just “shivered” for hours. I was a live wire! I phoned SHP. She promised to be there at 5pm and then we’d meet up with the rest of the fans outside and wait early for the show. And she kept her promise. Full of jitters and nerves we crossed the street to meet a line that had already formed. It was about 6pm at this time. I think doors were to open at 7 or  8pm. We met CS fan Margie Rivas and her family. Traci showed up later as did a ton of others from his facebook page who had travelled quite a ways to be there. It was like Curt Smith’s fan wall had come to life. We leaned against the building and waited for permission to go in…many of us completely shaking from excitement. A girl walked by and asked what we were waiting for. We told her “Curt Smith…” and her face lit up, “Cooool!” she said and waited around looking for a ticket. Sadly they were sold out…as expected.

Then the doors opened. We rushed into the venue and got our seats snuggled up on the 3rd row behind what turned out to be a few members from the Psych Crew? The pineapple was on stage as well. Wild right? I was thrilled to peaches! I made about 6 trips to the vending area to get a few cds and guitar picks (sp?) for the Atlanta fans who couldn’t be there (Todd, Michael, etc). I also wanted to get an autograph for my magnificent ATL superstar cousin Michael Roland Magno. The amount of things to buy was endless. So many different albums to choose from. I just kept grabbing and grabbing.

The Show

This is certainly the hardest part to talk about…I don’t know where to start…I remember a person speaking before hand and welcoming all of us to this historic venue. He said, “If in case there is a fire…each of you please grab a guitar from the wall and head toward the exit doors.” We roared with laughter and a few of us looked around toward the walls to see which one we would save from the potential burning flames. Then the house lights went down…and band members begin to come down to the stage one by one…sharply dressed in dark jackets and dress pants. Suits! We all clapped…then…His High Highness…The Good Man Curt Smith stepped down from the heavens to the front of the stage and we just lost it with praise. You’d have though G-d delivered him to us with His own hand.

Everything from this point forward is just a dream…I remember Curt singing “Drive” by the cars…with a story about his daughter and how she is growing up and…well, he’s preparing himself for the day she may be driven home by someone other than himself. If it was up to us fans we’d all be waiting up with he and his wife for whatever fortunate fellow that gets to take her out on a date. As he spoke before the song I imagined us all behind him with squinty eyes peering down at the fellow reminding him 11 o’clock means 10:59 latest. LOL…seriously…it was very precious and he sang so clearly…I can’t even begin to describe it. And from that, a number of stories came… Stories about his family, his current life and why certain songs were on the Halfway Pleased album. It was a very intimate and “moving” experience. And I just cried. I cried so hard…not loudly…just tears running down my face as I listened to him. I cried so hard my nose got all stuffy. I as busy wiping and snottin’ as I watched a man that I have admired and kept with me in a cassette case through the best and worst of times. Through my family’s coming and going in and out of theUnited States, to my first days at University, my adapting to new technology (Curt was the first person I ever emailed) and again at the very media post that I suggested they interview the band regarding ELAHE and the list goes…AND THERE HE WAS!!! …right there…singing…watching us all watch him…in total amazement! And the light shone down on him like a spirit…it was immaculate and I was delirious with gratitude. I just couldn’t believe it.

Curt’s Got Jokes

Every now and again Curt would reach into his pocket, talking about the suit…and his hand would move around. He assured us, “I’m not playing with my marbles.” That got a roar! He’s hilarious! The set went on and he joked about the music equipment additions and why they decided to wear suits…saying they got them when they were on tour with “Tears” but hadn’t had a chance to wear them. So they figured that this night was as good as any. They looked so smart and dashing…one would have had to have been there to see them…so handsome they were! And he played it up by having Charlton do some jazzy style extended instrumentals between songs and leading into songs. There was of course Mad World and some of the TFF favourites but mostly those soul stirring, warm ballads from his latest work Halfway Pleased…songs like Aeroplane and Trees. There was an intermission and I dried my eyes…and bought more merch!  And part two was just as engaging as the first…and again tears engulfed me and I just let them roll as I lip-sang the words and sat through what felt like a glorious ceremony on Cloud 9.

Curt Smith’s solo shows are not like anything I’ve ever attended. Being in the media industry, I have to sit through so much music and dance week after week…My weekends are filled with one band or dance troupe after another but NONE of them move me like a Curt Smith’s solo show. There just aren’t any words to describe it. You have to go, see and hear for yourself.

End of the Night

It ended with the Psych crew singing back up on “Shout.” OHHH, that was a treat! They did such an excellent job adding in their own energy and dedication to this incredible band. It was surreal. We applauded and headed out to the front of the Guitar shoppe. We waited about 10 minutes then Curt appeared in his cool casual clothes (he’d shed the suit) and spoke to us. It got quiet as we shuffled around arranging ourselves a distance away from him. No one said a word. They just looked with big smiles on their faces. Then he said, “Hey Andye.” I returned the hello and struggled with my decision to refrain from touching the ground as one does in my culture for people we honour. And we sort of stood there away from him and just stared for another 3-4 minutes. Clearly we were excited and nervous. Then Curt says something like, “Who would like to go first?” I was standing closest so I stepped next to him. He asked me, “Did you really stay up looking for a flight?” I nodded yes as if “You better believe I was determined to get here.” He gave me a quick hug and then signed a cd for my cousin Magno. I wanted him to sign everything but I knew that would be rude so I stepped aside and Alexis stepped forward second and gave him some bumper stickers for his car and asked for a picture and autograph. The next group stepped forward…and back in the crowd they went. And that’s kind of how it was the rest of the night. He received us with much grace and we all but bowed down at his feet. Sweet Afton took a few pictures of us with Curt. And we left completely changed. It was awesome. Its been a year now and we’ve all changed drasitcally since then. Three of us going on what we like to call the Curt Smith Fitness routine. He inspires us in so many ways. It’s a load of fun!

We stepped outside the venue, riddled with nerves and jetlag but unable to go to sleep. So we hopped in Alexis’ car and drove around til the morning came. That next day I headed off to a media event for which I’d been given tickets to attend since I was going to be in the area. I think Curt went with his daughters on glamping trip J or something like that…It was such an exciting excursion and it was on this trip that I truly began thinking about moving toCaliforniafor good. It’s such a nice place and the weather seems perfect. All of my East Coast ailments melt away when I’m there.

I never did recover from that trip. My sleep pattern was permanently thrown off and I’ve yet to have “shakenL.A.” It’s stuck to me like glue and I can’t scrub it off for anything. I want to thank Snap Happy Pam for the encouragement and constant push to move toLos Angeles. Mahalo to Team CS for making the effort to travel great distances to be there and continuing to do so even if it means great sacrifices. Who knew this would turn into a lifelong habit! In the name of Tears for Fears…Cheers!

Duran Duran dazzles local Tears For Fears Fans in Atlanta

Tennessee Fan Travelled for Duran Duran in AtlantaHearing Duran Duran on the radio as a toddler followed by Tears for Fears and vice versa has made me and many others complete addicts for their music&shows. So, finally of age to actually attend their concerts, (now having moved  to Atlanta) I can fulfill this “mandatory” fan duty. Their last few visits here have been nothing but phenomenal, fantastic and couple of other expletives starting with the word “f” that may not necessarily be appropriate for a shared blog post. To say they were great…just does not suffice.

Upon arrival to this show I (a Tears for Fears fanatic) alongside hardcore #Duranies found this car, 1st one in the lot, snuggled up in parking spot space #1 glowing with this cool license plate. As superfans do, we crowded around it, taking photos and nodding with approval at each other as if it were a glass of fine wine.

Johnny's day off Tweet posted to TwitterFresh off the Tears For Fears US tour and having followed them online while they were in Brasil (Brazil), I’m still in concert mode. So, when these pictures of @ThisIsTheRealJT surfaced on Twitter followed by TFF’s Curt Smith (@curtsmith) stunning response I knew attending this show was not only mandatory, but also would have been illegal under every shared fan law if I didn’t go. Curt Smith's response to (@TheRealJT)My media conference was cancelled due to 3rd party Egyptian visa issues so off to the box office I went demanding the closest seat in the house. I got 2nd Row seat 21. One of the few in that coveted section. Paid about $90 for it (same as the TFF show ticket in 2010) and more happy about it I could not be…it could have been much much more. I was ecstatic…especially as I pulled into the parking lot to read a re-tweet from Curt Smith saying: Give my love to @ThisIsTheRealJT …and that I promised to do.

After tweeting the license plate (shown above): “I must be in the fan club section because every car here has @DuranDuran license plates.” DuranDuran then responded to me, “That’s sort of terrific. #DuranLive.” And I’m reading this just as some bad ass stretch limo is pulling up next to me at the venue…who knows who was in it…

The Show
Again, I’m finally adult enough to even get into concerts and mature enough to not do a “Beatles scream” the whole time…and thus avoid alarming the band and every human around me. So this was indeed my first-ever Live Duran Duran concert and it blew my mind to say the least! I literally danced the whole time… And some of you may remember when you were a little kid in the 80s…you’re two feet from the T.V. singing into a hairbrush and channelling Simon LeBon’s moves and vocals…well that was me. Live and fully animated (and apparently pure entertainment for the people around me who were determined to give me high fives after the show…was that a stamina award? *giggles*) I did every move I had practiced to their music since 1986 when I first truly understood who they were. And when I say they live up to their legendary name I’m not exaggerating one bit. That was a club party on steroids out there at Chastain Ampitheatre and my 13 year old cousin and I were some of the youngest there…constantly questioned by veteran #Duranies about how on earth we knew the words to those songs.

Neon Trees opened for Duran Duran. This is so wild because I actually contacted their fans regarding the Red Rock Casino show they had…which was where Tears for Fears would play later. Neon Trees were awesome. I’m definitely a new fan of theirs. And Duran Duran did not disappoint…The awesome hits of this band kept coming… Notorious, Rio, Come Undone, secret October, The Man Who Stole a Leopard, Wild Boys, Hungry Like the Wolf…you name it, they sang it all including new songs like “All You Need is Now.” I was enthralled with how good they sound, just like the albums if not better and looking as hot as they did 20 years ago…again, if not better. Their always trendy fashion, the additional band members (including a spicy young lady with red hair on various percussion who has the energy of a live wire) were just through the roof!

Some noteable moments include Simon reaching down into the audience and grabbing the scarf of a fan on the front row…putting it around his neck. Ohhh, as a superfanatic, I know how much that meant to that person. You wait years, decades for things like that to happen and when they do, you melt into total appreciation, star-struckness and remain forever in awe.

The young woman on percussion had a solo during “Girl Panic” and she went to town and back on those instruments…I mean she was wailin’ on it!!! It was so impressive. All that energy…ohh, I want to be her. She made me literally wish to take up the art. I’m considering extending my own cultural heritage of drumming into whatever she was doing on that stage. Just breathtaking (and I don’t mean that in the Seinfeld “You gotta see the baby” sense either, TFFrs may know what I’m talking about here…i..e twitter #fanfun)

She looked fabulous on that stage and her spirit was electric. My young cousin kept asking, “I want to meet her! Can we go backstage, Pleassssee?!! I have to meet her. I just want to hug her! She’s sooooo awesome!!” We are total New Romantics now but understand that Duran Duran shed that image to become something even bigger than that and I’m so determined to make the non-Nigerian side of my wardrobe totally to match that of theirs (in addition to my Tears For Fears inspired ensembles). As you know fans do like to look like their bands with percussion lessons in tow.

There were also the clothing changes. Simon first in a super-fantastic deep terracotta (if not red) jacket with stylings and work on the sleeves…shed mid show revealing broad shoulders covered in a very nice white short-sleeved shirt. You may laugh but these details are important…this is a fan blog…not necessarily a concert review… There was a #DuranLive Tweet screen and I saw a few of my (@papasfans) tweets scroll through. That’s always cool!! Lots of Tears For Fears fans, or enough of them talking about TFF in our midst…so we were right at home!

I could go on and on about that show…but I’ll pause at  that I have to do that again! Can’t wait for the next Duran Duran concert opportunity. They are another band for which I clearly need to set up Fan Travel funds.

After The Show
The explosive Duran Duran concert hours could have gone on and on and we’d have danced til we shrunk out of our pants. But around 11pm we, the supportive members of the Tears For Fears fan team crowded around the stage with the rest of the dedicated #Duranies to scavenge any cups, towels, playlists and other items that often get discarded after the show. One band’s trash is always a Superfan’s treasured stash! (I once took a half eaten key lime pie cake from the Band “Bush” and No Doubt).

Michelle, a hardcore #Duranie who was trying to score a water bottle, cried gently toward the stage hoping to get the items she had her eyes on. Roadies and security weren’t giving out anything. It was pure hell and totally agonizing as we fans live off these unconventional souvenirs. I can’t even list the number of band towels I have or whose I grabbed in 2010 and sleep with every single night…several under my pillow and one tightly tucked under my chin. We as fans gotta work on working with bands and roadies to get these precious items in our hands. They are more highly regarded than even merch items! Michelle finally got her playlist and we all cheered. My cousin Tara leaned over the rail and grabbed some stage tape that had been danced and stomped on by Simon LeBon. I cut it into small pieces and placed it inside the stylish silver programs that were on sale…and I’m happy with it.

I have to give all credit to Curt Smith for pushing me toward the show long before I even had a ticket. Given that there were no funds left in the Tears For Fears fan generated travel account to send all of us to this glorious cousin concert event, I, initially, sacrificed my opportunity and decided to just be the driver to the show vs. being an actual ticket holder. But the pictures and later re-tweets regarding the event were just the push for us to “find the cash” for all of us to attend…and I couldn’t be happier!

Gigantic thanks to Sir David Esquire of Esquire Photography (@EsquirePhotog), CD (@QtcDior28) and Kai who were instrumental in linking the two fan teams (stateside fan generated crews for Tears For Fears and Duran Duran).

Gargantuan thanks to Duran Duran for even replying to my messages, also for always making Atlanta a stop on the tour. For goodness-sake, please come back soon and continue driving we ladies and our Wild Boys completely mad with your music! Cheers!

Video from this show will be on YouTube within 48 hours…if it isn’t already there now…

Tears for Fears in Brasil -Interview

Tears and Kooks International is so blessed to have quite a few multilingual fans. One of those is Andye (Nigerian-Portuguese)  and she translates reviews and videos from the various original languages into English for the stateside fans. Recently she e-met Brazillian born Karina Longo (@mrscarbohydrate) Karina Longoon Twitter while Tears For Fears was on a tour stop in Brasil. Karina was a great volunteer; stepping in during a very busy time. While Andye was translating videos and interviews from Mexico, etc Karina jumped in and translated the interview conducted by a local Brazillian media team. You can see it below in English. Thank you so much (@mrscarbohydrate) for your help! You are an official KOOK!! *Karina was also recently followed by Curt Smith on Twitter*

INTERVIEW WITH CURT SMITH / SHOUT (translated by Karina Longo & Andye Andinha moderator for (@papasfans))

ORIGINAL BY ELIO BANDERA FROM ZERO HORA (PORTO ALEGRE) / SEGUNDO CADERNO (http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especial/rs/clubedoassinantezh/19,617,3511615,Shout.html)

RESPONSIBLE for 80’S HITS SUCH AS “SHOUT” AND “SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE”,THE BRITISH DUO TEARS FOR FEARS WILL PLAY TOMORROW IN PORTO ALEGRE.

WITH 30 YEARS  IN THE MUSIC SCENE AND SEVERAL POP CLASSICS FROM THE 80’S AS PART OF THEIR CAREER, TEARS FOR FEARS HOLD THE STATUS OF BEING ONE OF THE FEW BANDS OF THEIR GENERATION WHO’VE PLAYED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL.  TOMORROW (03/10), AT 9PM, PEPSI ON STAGE WILL WELCOME THE GROUP FOUNDED BY CURT SMITH (BASS AND VOCALS) AND ROLAND ORZABAL (GUITARS AND VOCALS), WHOSE NAME WAS INSPIRED ON ARTHUR JANOV’S PRIMAL SCREAM, A PSYCHOTERAPHIC METHOD WHICH CONSISTS ON REACHING OUT YOUR DEEPEST FEARS AND SET YOURSELF FREE THROUGH SCREAMS (AS “SHOUT” LYRICS SUGGEST: “SHOUT, SHOUT/LET IT ALL OUT”).

TEARS FOR FEARS’ POP SOUND WAS KNOWN FOR ACOUSTIC ELEMENTS, KEYBOARDS AND LYRICS SURROUNDING SELF-DISCOVERING THE NEED OF CHANGING YOURSELF AND EVEN LOVE. THE ALBUM ‘SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR’, FROM 1985, BEST KNOWN FOR HITS SUCH AS EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD, HEAD OVER HEELS AND SHOUT (ALL OF WHICH ARE TO BE PLAYED AT THE GIG) REACHED THE TOP OF BILLBOARD.

IN THE EARLY 90’S, A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE VERY WELL ACKNOWLEDGED THE SEEDS OF LOVE (1990), THE DUO’D SPLIT UP, EVEN THOUGH ORZABAL KEPT MAKING MUSIC UNDER THE NAME OF THE BAND AND DECIDED TO RELEASE TWO CDS WITHOUT CURT. IN EARLY 2000’S, CURT RETURNED TO THE BAND. THEIR LATEST STUDIO ALBUM, EVERYBODY LOVES A HAPPY ENDING WAS RELEASED IN 2004.

THE GIG IN PORTO ALEGRE OPENS THE BRAZILIAN TOUR.  ON THE SETLIST, SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE, PALE SHELTER, WOMAN IN CHAINS AND ADVICE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE PLAYED AS THEY WERE IN LIMA (PERU), WHERE TFF PLAYED LAST WEEK, SMITH SPOKE ON THE PHONE TO ZH.

ZH – AFTER 15 YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME TFF PLAYED IN BRAZIL, YOU GUYS ARE COMING BACK TO PLAY CITIES YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. WHAT’S YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND WHAT SHOULD tHE AUDIENCE EXPECT?

CURT SMITH – I’M REALLY ANXIOUS AND I HOPE THEY’RE GONNA BE GOOD GIGS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE REACTIONS WE’VE BEEN SEEING ON THE INTERNET. IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO PLAY PLACES WHERE WE’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. RECENTLY, WE MADE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF THE PLACES WE’RE GOING TO PLAY AND NO ONE PUT US UNDER ANY KIND OF PRESSURE. FOR THIS TOUR, WE DECIDED TO MIX OUR MOST WELL-KNOWN SONGS WITH MORE STRUCTURED VERSIONS OF OTHERS.

ZH – WHAT DO YOU RECALL FROM THE CONCERTS YOU’VE PLAYED HERE BEFORE?

SMITH – I RECALL IT WAS A BIT CRAZY. I REMEMBER ONE RIO DE JANEIRO GIG (HOLLYWOOD ROCK, IN 1990) WHEN THERE WAS THIS MASSIVE STORM. ALL THE MUSICIANS AND THE CREW WERE REALLY SCARED OF BEING ELECTROCUTED AND WE HAD TO RUSH THE CONCERT A LITTLE BIT. BUT WE LIKED IT A LOT AND THE AUDIENCE WAS VERY RECEPTIVE.

ZH – WITH TEARS FOR FEARS ON TOUR IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT IT INSPIRES YOU TO COMPOSE NEW SONGS?

SMITH – YEAH. ACTUALLY, WE ALREADY WROTE A FEW, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MATERIAL TO RECORD ANYTHING. WHEN WE FINISH THE SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR, WE’RE GONNA START WORKING ON IT. I BELIEVE WE COULD PROBABLY FINISH A NEW ALBUM NEXT YEAR.

ZH – DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT CELEBRATING THE 80’S  (80’S REVIVAL) WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME?

SMITH – I DON’T THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENS HERE ISTHE CELEBRATION OF AN ERA, EVEN THOUGH YOU COULD SAY IT’S A FACT THAT LOADS OF GOOD SONGS WERE MADE AT CERTAIN SPECIFIC TIMES. PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THESE TUNES HAVE REAL QUALITY AND THAT’S WHY THEY KEEP LISTENING TO THEM.

ZH – YOU’RE VERY KEEN ON SOCIAL NETWORKS, LIKE FACEBOOK AND TWITTER (@CURTSMITH), AND YOU ALSO PRESENT A LIVE MUSIC WEB SERIES (STRIPPED DOWN LIVE WITH CURT SMITH). DO YOU THINK THAT THE INTERNET CHANGED THE WAY YOU MAKE MUSIC?

SMITH – I BELIEVE IT DID, QUITE A LOT, AND IT ALSO HELPED ME TO FIND OUT HOW TO KEEP BEING AN ARTIST. IT BASICALLY STARTED WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A MUSICIAN. I FOUND THIS CELLO PLAYER (ZOË KEATING) THROUGH TWITTER, LISTENED TO HER MUSIC AND THEN INVITED HER TO RECORD A TRACK WITH ME. WE DID ‘ALL IS LOVE’ WITHOUT EVEN MEETING EACH OTHER IN PERSON. IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE, AND I INTEND TO DO IT AGAIN.

ZH – TALKING ABOUT TWITTER, BEFORE GOING TO LIMA, YOU WERE TWEETING ON MANCHESTER UNITED’S MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (CURT IS A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTER OF THE TEAM). DO YOU LIKE BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL AS WELL?

SMITH – YES. IN MANCHESTER, WE HAVE BRAZILIAN PLAYERS SUCH AS ANDERSON (FROM THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL), AND THE SILVA BROTHERS (FABIO AND RAFAEL, FROM RIO). BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL WAS ALWAYS BRILLIANT AND VERY APPRECIATED IN ENGLAND. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE WAS WHEN I MET PELÉ BACK IN 1986, WHILE IN MEXICO FOR THE WORLD CUP.

ZH – YOU AND ORZABAL HAVE KNOW EACH OTHER SINCE YOUR TEEN YEARS, AND NOW IN 2011 YOU BOTH ARE 50 YEARS OLD. HAS TIME CHANGED YOUR MUSICAL/PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP?

SMITH –WE’RE MORE RELAXED… (FRANKLY) NOW, WE KNOW WHAT WE REALLY WANT AND WE DON’T NEED TO QUESTION OTHER PEOPLE. QUITE HONESTLY, WE DO WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RECORD COMPANIES, AND IT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER FOR US.

–END OF INTERVIEW–

again, many thanks to Karina for her help. If anyone has any comments or questions (about the translation) please leave a reply.

*A gentle reminder, this is a fan generated blog. For official answers from the band please contact them directly using the resources found on Curt’s page. Contact (@curtsmith) on Twitter or Facebook. Curt also has a website: www.curtsmithofficial.com

Curt Smith Performs at Bardot Hollywood

picture taken with permission by SnapHappyPamCurt Smith performed at Bardot -Hollywood 19 September 2010. It was a night to remember! Here’s Superfan Andye’s story:

Curt had tweeted that he’d be performing there for DJ Chris Douridas‘ birthday and at the time I didn’t even think of going…simply because media assignments called and…well…I have to work right? And also, I figured I had gotten on his nerves by now. I mean all that tweeting in Atlanta, showing up at the show, going to second row and then first…and just well…being a fan and remaining ultra excited about anything he was involved in. So, I thought it best not to even dream of going out to California. Until…

One of the leads on my team said I’d be heading back to California for a media week. When I looked at the schedule I noticed it was to start the day after Curt’s performance. Still reluctant for the reasons stated above I decided to not to bank on it…and then I thought…wait, I’ve loved this band for way too long to be worried about these petty issues. I’m going to make an effort and go to this show. Besides he wouldn’t have published it if he didn’t want people on board. So, I asked my leads if I could head out early and after finding out for whom I’d be flying across the country to see they approved, wishing me the best.

I RSVPd and it stated something like, “you’ll know if you’re on the list the day of the show.” Well, that wasn’t going to work in my case. The ride from Dana point, Monarch Beach was not an easy one. Without making it seem too major, the cost to get from Monarch Beach to Hollywood and back was more than the plane ticket from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Reaching wayyyy down into the fanclub funds (thank goodness for ING) the money was available for me to make this trip. And I got my “on the list approval” two weeks before the show which took all my fears away. I wouldn’t have wanted to show up and then find out I couldn’t get in.

andyeandpambwThe day arrived…by now I had tweeted at least 2-3 times that I was going to be there  because I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit and hear his voice again so soon. It was miraculous for me. I made a new friend, my band  sister Pam (SnapHappyPam) and she and I met up at the show where my new best friends (Summit Limo Company) dropped me off and waited. *I really wished I could have gotten Steven, my driver, into the show. He didn’t stop talking about them the whole way there.* Pam sent me a text stating, “I’m right up front.” I joined her and there we sat through an incredible evening.

CurtBardotAbout the show
A talented young lady sang, then a big band came on to sing happy birthday to DJ Chris D and…and then Curt walked up to the stage along with Charlton and another kind chap whose name I didn’t catch:(. I couldn’t see the other side of the very unique stage and I didn’t want to wiggle around and become a distraction. So I sat there guessing it was Doug? I have no clue, sad sad sad!

Well, sitting there Curt begins to talk and the crowd is hanging on every word. He thanks everyone for coming and mentions how this show came about. Then there was a bit of a pause…he said something else and glanced over toward Pam and I…the band was still tuning things and settling into the setting. He looks away and then I hear, “Hello Andye:)” And I could swear the world just stopped for a brief second. Red lights paused between green and yellow. A fork was mid air from falling to the ground. Wine had not yet touched the lips of the man next to me…and when the world snapped back,  I responded *grinning from ear to ear* “Hi Curt” with a little wave. I’m sure the fans that were with us there in spirit were saying, “Bravo Andye for not fainting on the spot.” Then he says, “Andye flew in all the way from Atlanta!” The crowd begins to clap and people on the balcony lean over to see who he is talking about.  I nodded with ultra humbleness to those sweet, kind souls around me. G-d bless everyone of them…
He concluded with “though I think she’s had other business out here too…” 🙂 I reassured him I was there for him and I was. I could’ve easily wiggled my way out of that conference but knowing I’d see him to start the week off was more than enough for me to high tail it out to California early and get ready for media week…which turned out to be one of the most informative and helpful events coupled with his performance. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities given to me by my fellow team members and leads. I’m truly one of the most blessed people on earth because of them. Not enough gratitude in the world to thank them for the assistance and also to Curt for being such an inspiration over the years in many different ways.

Curt sang his solo works and also included the song “All Is Love” for the first time to a large crowd. He said he didn’t feel it went over well but we in the crowd sure did and we let him know it. He also ended with Mad World (more of the Gary Jules re-make of his original classic) which sent the crowd into an enormous roar. Seven of Sundays was also included as was Aeroplane…ohhh, that man can sing! It’s awesome to see him live and in person. It’s like a spiritual experience mixed in with one of the most incredible music highs known to mankind…nothing compares. Nothing! It was a spectacular night and I’m still uncertain if that’s the right word to use…it just doesn’t do justice…Curt is incredible! **and he looks great! Fit as a fiddle!”

I didn’t really want to leave but Steven was outside waiting and I knew we had a 2 hour ride back to Monarch Beach. But you only live once right? So, Pam and I stayed outside chatting, taking little peeks over at Curt’s cool car. Some of the familiar road crew was around. Just moments before we left, Afton came over and gave me the play list cards from the stage. I kept them in my bag for nearly a year and then handed them over to the archives for safer keeping.

That night was a new beginning for me. Since then I’ve always tried to make it out for shows on the west coast or anywhere else I can reach within reason. I appreciate how he tweeted about me coming all the way from Atlanta on social media and well, I just think Curt Smith is one of those ultra awesome musicians that no matter what he always finds some kind of way to make his fans feel like the effort they put into getting to his shows and buying his work was more than an investment in great art but an investment in the good life…a real blessing. pam and andye car shotMany thanks to Pam (ProudMom27 on YouTube) for her continued support and love. Huge thanks to Curt Smith, his manager and fellow bandmates for smiling and being kind. It keeps the energy of the industry alive and thriving!

Eileen and Traci D with Curt after the show.
Eileen and Traci D with Curt after the show. This was an amazing evening!

Tears For Fears return to Atlanta (August 2010)

2nd row right at Chastain Ampitheatre 26 August

In 2010 Tears for Fears returned to Atlanta after being away for nearly 18 years (as a group). Curt says he has been to Atlanta since on business, but it wasn’t a show so fans feel, “that doesn’t count” and welcomed them back with open arms…and some *boobie-flashing* in some cases. Yes, we know who the culprits were. We’re keeping that a secret.

The venue, Chastain, was nearly full with over 3,000+  seats sold plus standing room according to a fan who eavesdropped at the box office security. The set list included many of the band’s new and older music plus several solo pieces. The extremely talented Michael Wainwright opened for them on this tour. Followed by Arrested Development who really warmed up the crowd with incredible hits past and present of their own.

Tears for Fears began their set with Mad World (version remade by Gary Jules) and continued with many other well known pieces along with Floating Down a River which at the time had been rarely heard. Fans flocked to Curt Smith’s Facebook wall the morning after and a few reviews were posted about the show. A fb group page remains online in memory of the groups historic return and features info about the show plus short videos of each song they performed. One of the highlights of this show in addition to being so close was meeting Michael Wainwright.

He was everywhere before and after the show. In addition to opening for the band he also sings the coveted part of Oleta Adams on Badman’s song and Woman in Chains.

*Little known fact that both AD and TFF were played as the opening music for a student news broadcast back in 1993 in Knoxville, Tennessee -Bearden Middle School. The music coordinator (Andye) later took a trip to Atlanta and visited news networks where she would later work as a coordinator. With Tears For Fears coincidently playing in the background the young lady declared the town and her dedication to the band as her future. Little more than 15 years later she suggested  interviews featuring the band The full circle moment was eventually attending her first Tears For Fears concert on the anniversary of her hire date at the network.

Using the Social Media Forum, Twitter she connected with many fans and got Re-tweeted by the band before the show. She later tweeted the whole show for fans who couldn’t make it…rumour is that 10,000 of her tweets are Tears For Fears related. In addition to scoring some pretty cool unconventional souvenirs she bought tons of merchandise for several fans who were working or out of town. One being this T-Shirt.

Big Thanks to Todd Skees, another long time fan also in the media industry who made this show extra special for many fans!

Short Video Montage of the Show:

Warning: This was footage from down in the audience, the fans are singing& “screaming.” DO NOT turn the volume up on this video or you will hurt yourself.

Who is PapaSFans?

PapaSFans on twitter (@PapaSFans)

In 2010 Curt Smith joined TwitChange to benefit the earthquake victims in Haiti. The result was about $900 raised (only 600 was accepted by organization) and 6 fans were awarded a mention and to be followed by Curt. They called themselves “PapaSFans” after Curt’s self-proclaimed nick name “PapaS.”

TeamCS Montage by Carri D

About 4 of them travel from all parts of the United States to see Curt at solo shows and with Tears For Fears. They meetup with other fans in the L.A. area and also with others that fly in from out of state. They are known as TeamCS & celebrate their anniversary on 17 September which coincidently was the same day as the conclusion of the U.S. leg of the tour…also a sold out show.

In Addition: Our support is for both Roland Orzabal and CurtSmith. TeamCS was created to celebrate and honour Curt’s dedication to a worthy cause. TeamCS is a strong and longtime supporter of all things Tears for Fears related. We do not believe in divisons or loving one band member over another. It is our desire to understand and get involved with any charity they’ve supported through any possible “fan opportunities” made available to us. We are forever grateful to Shaun King for making it possible for us to be so involved in this project.