Andye’s experience…
*Dedicated to Adam and the couple from Asheville!
Many of us are still in a state of Euphoria…
Wow…please give me a minute. This show…was just…it felt good. From the hotel to the seats and fellow fans…it felt GOOD! I’d say great…but GOOD in all caps is what works here with the intonation of “MEGA INSANELY GROOOOVY smothered in euphoric bliss.” I’ve had euphoric experiences in the presence of this band since 2010 but this one took the cake! My friends and fellow travel fans felt the same! People spent quality time that night and the next morning discussing how outstanding that show was! It was more than a water cooler moment…it was lunch and dinner as well! Here’s a few snippets from conversation!
“I felt like I was 20 again! They sound just as good as 1985 when I first saw them live!” – Adam H.
“It was like I was in my parents car again hearing them from the first time! They sound just as good!” – Tyler
“From a technical perspective it was excellent…from the lights to the sound…it was great! I’m going to more shows this summer and will be comparing them all to Tears for Fears.’” L. L.
“They Sound Amazing!!!!!” M.W. texting us during the show 🙂
Where is Duluth, GA? Is that near Atlanta? Yes, it’s sort of the same…
I arrived a day in advance, skipping Florida because I was fearful I’d be worn out in the summer’s heat and humidity trying to truck it on time Sunday morning. So, I got there on Saturday after a lavish French tea party (you all know I’m all about a good tea social) for a fellow fan who recently graduated from one of the many Universities in Atlanta. Speaking of Atlanta… the make-up of this city is very different. One might live in Duluth…but you still call it Atlanta. It’s all connected. Duluth is a neighbourhood that touches Atlanta…but I still call it Atlanta. Many people do. In the last few years it has come into its own and has beautiful restaurants, venues and residential areas. Not to mention it is in Gwinnett County which is filled with culture no matter what view one might get of it otherwise. It’s 30 miles up the road from Atlanta city center and it is spectacular when it comes to events (and the parking is usually free). So, everyone was right and Curt said it best when calling it Duluth and noting that people drove in from Atlanta. It’s also noted that it has one of the highest numbers of Japanese speakers/Japanese-Americans in the southeast and hosts Japan Fest annually! 🙂 It is one of my favourite places to visit in the state! So green and serene with lots to do!
Who was there?
When I moved to Atlanta roughly 12 years or so ago, I noticed they played 80s music everywhere. They didn’t play the band’s new stuff, but older cuts and sometimes deep cuts of various albums from Duran Duran, TFF and the like. I’d often hear conversations when the music was played at a grocery store or hair salon…people talking about how much they loved that band. Of course, anytime they said they loved Tears for Fears I had to go on fan duty and tell them all about the online activities and opportunities to still see the band because, “they tour!!” This led to making new friends and keeping people informed via social media re: band things they may miss or what have you. So when all of these people, new and veteran fans, showed up at the concert I was floored!
I arrived at 6pm on the dot and the awesome Michael Magno, who is a local superstar and tours with various musicians in addition to a great solo career, showed up with his stellar wife Meg, I almost fainted! I was thrilled that they took me up on the invitation! Not just Michael but many of my media colleagues and industry pals from around the city showed up. COOs, VPs and heads of various companies were present and had floor seats. They weren’t trying to just “attend” the show…they meant business! They were there to celebrate the band! So, big hugs and shoutouts to those who took time away to be true fan on a Sunday night (that’s a big deal around here because Monday mornings/the work week in ATL/Duluth, etc is no joke – it starts at 5am and you need all the sleep and rest you can get on a Sunday to get through it).
The Travel Fans
As mentioned many times, a travel fan is one who travels to shows. That’s it. It’s a nickname. On the front row, there were many! On the second row were several others who were local and drove in from various counties up to Duluth. Third row was filled with fans in their own cool TFF designs. It was awesome and the venue looked full!
I was a bit worried for us because everyone knows we stand up and dance for every show. Why not, why wouldn’t we? Would the Hall and Oates fans understand? I turned around and shook hands with several people as they touched my shoulder to ask questions about various things. Some knew that I was the blog moderator and I wanted to make sure to thank them for following along as well as make new friends. I let them know up front that I’d be on my feet the whole time but would leave for H&O as to not carry on throughout the concert. I leave more for courtesy purposes as I’ve come to see that some H&O fans just prefer to stay seated. I’ve heard this from other fans as well. I can’t go for that. 😉 I have to get up and groove. So, hey, let them enjoy the show without me wiggling around to every single song. I also left because…Monday morning. I’ve met H&O before through work functions so I don’t feel deprived of the experience for the most part. Most of my other friends and media colleagues stayed for a bit of time after TFF. They text and tweeted afterwards…they ADORED TFF… Hall and Oats received mixed reviews from those I know.
THE SHOW!!
Let the videos do the talking… Somebody hug Christine Zap and get her a gift card to the TFF Merch store for this! Seriously!
EWTRTW
Thank you to Christine Zap for recording Secret World and many others! Gotta get her a t-shirt!
ELAHE
*laughing at myself in my Japanese Street Fashion Skull dress and book purse dancing gleefully in a state of absolute bliss.
Change
Creep
Pale Shelter
Band introductions
Because Charlton shall be loved!
*it’s called a zaghareet… google it…cultural thing. #NigeriansInTheAudience
Head over Heels
*As much as this song means to me, it makes me sad to hear it at shows cause I know it’s almost over. Crowd response before encore! Curt’s “Wow” makes so much sense!!
Shout
Awesome photos from Adam are on our Instagram page – we just opened a new one because YT was down for a moment and we didn’t want to delay getting this recap online.
Back on the Road… Pause for me…
After the show, many went up to get merch. I felt faint, so I went to sit down. The familiar and strangers came over to compliment my skull dress. That was very sweet.
Made a lot of new friends and saw a lot of unity that night. The suburbs of ATL really showed up that night hand in hand and all in love with the band and each other. Lots of “Loving” couples representing our great ethnicities and cultures. It was awesome!
Adam danced his way into the 1000s on his fit bit! We all had a good time!
Curt practically called us Peach Cobbler! Now that’s a compliment cause that’s like the official state food down here! I’m all about this Narwhal’s nightie. Can I get that in extra large?
I could say a lot more but I’ll pause here… we won’t forget that night. I, and many others, pray that ATL/Duluth stays on the TFF tour plan for decades! Just keep coming back Roland, Curt and Team! We welcome you here with open hearts!
Meg and Tyler said it all!!!
The band went quickly to Pittsburgh for the Paints Arena show the next morning. It was like waking up from the best all night slumber party and realising the guests of honour were gone! Come back! Come baaaaaccckkk!
We didn’t know a lot of people in Pittsburgh so our stock of contributions is rather low. If you have friends that went to this show let us know. Would love to recognise them and send some shoutouts and thank yous. So many fans got great photos and videos. Be sure to follow these great YT contributors and make new friends!
Shawn Dando captured the intro from a rare angle… stunning!
TGrant42 got Head over Heels…. Amazing!
Thanks to all who contributed to the show recap with photos and videos!
Hope our dream of a fan conference comes to life soon!
Cheers!
-Andye, TFF Travel Fan Team moderator
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 