The number of email received regarding The Sun’s publication is enough…we will not address it beyond this…
Last week The Sun, considered a tabloid newspaper, released some information that we chose back in September to stay out of and let the band be the ones to speak about their families. We’ve always held that position. It wasn’t that we want to keep secrets but we don’t talk about their families…that’s sacred ground. We have Curt and Roland’s trust and we’re not about to blow it by being forward and considering ourselves Tears for Fears’ Public Relations… However, The Sun seems to think they have the right… mmkay. Karma is a bitch – time will take care of that faux pas.
It wouldn’t have been nearly as bad if they could have just waited until after the concerts. To bring this up a week before two major shows FEELS not like reporting but something else entirely…were they just trying to be messy? What good was served reporting such things ahead of the shows? If The Sun wants to be taken seriously (which seems unlikely), wouldn’t it have been better to say something this week vs. right before the concerts? I mean…what the f*ck?!
Clip of the anger toward those that advertise in such publications – advertising is how media survives…
Our inbox is full of really sad and hurt people who genuinely care about Roland’s family and children. Many of us gently and respectfully follow the family tweets, Raoul’s artwork and enjoy Pascal’s fun tweets and publications. We are big fans of Curt’s daughter, Diva Smith, and enjoy the few times we get to see Wilder peek her precious head into the social scene. And that’s how we like it. Wholesome, clean and unintrusive. It’s no one’s place to know more than what they care to show us. For those who were kindly informed of the details by officials, kudos for just keeping quiet – we, too, are not saying anything. Let the band the talk about it… There’s a big line between being “fan family” and a blood relative so we have decided we will not share the details. It’s not our place. When they are ready to talk about it so will we…
It’s been an exciting couple of weeks in the Tears for Fears universe. After an outstanding week and a half swooning, crying and existing in a constant state of “shook af,” we got two INCREDIBLE SHOWS in one of the world’s most historic cities…and the nation where the awesomeness that is Tears for Fears began!
Royal Albert Hall – wow, just wow!! Thank you so much. That was a lot of love for one venue! 🇬🇧❤❤❤🇬🇧
Big thanks to Captain Julian Orzabal, Andrew W., the team at the BBC and staff behind the BBC Red Button streaming services for everything!
Andrew had an amazing time and shared this awesome photo with us which we’ve made the feature picture on our FB page. Here’s what he had to say.
“I finally got to meet both Roland and Curt after the BBC show in London. What lovely guys they are and what a show. I also saw them last night at the Royal Albert Hall which was one of their best gigs ever in the greatest venue in London. They didn’t play the new single but did play Broken at the end of HOH. Badman’s song was awesome. My highlight was Change as it really comes alive in the live setting. Can’t wait to hear Stay of the new CD…” -Andrew W. on his Tears for Fears concert experience this week
Captain Julian snagged some really great shots that he has kindly allowed us to scoop up and display.
And the BBC just spoiled us rotten with these great live streams for all fans globally.
Now let this be our inspiration going forward to exercise, get some sleep, and take good care of ourselves as we get into the new year because there’s lots more to come! New music, BIG TOUR and other cool stuff! Can’t wait!
If you were one of the fortunate ones able to snag a very difficult-to-obtain ticket for the 27 October show, you might as well go all out with a nice stay at The Kensington. This hotel is actually one of the preferred hotels of the Royal Albert Hall. Of course, if you’re local I’m sure you’re giving me the two finger salute.
Now, for those of us stateside who usually pay anywhere from $50-$275 a night for a standard to slightly upgraded room (with the exception of Vegas shows where we just pretend money is no object and go buck wild with cabanas for 3 days and parties), the Kensington is going to cost you around $400 US a night after tax. And…the room will be half the size of the swank abodes we’ve been spoiled with on tour. So, just be mentally ready for that. It’s gorgeous though. Take a look at the photos.
For those of us not going, myself included, this is like missing a Royal Wedding. The venue is unbelievable. It’s quite the answered prayer in many ways. There have been hundreds (I’m not exaggerating) of fans in the UK who have all but sold their insides begging and pleading Tears for Fears to have a show there (as if the band really has total control over that). And here it is…and damn if something funky didn’t happen the day the tickets went on sale to prevent us from going in addition to what was already a stab in the heart with short notice of ticket sales (remember when we said your 6 months of savings should also include $300 for a couple of Tears for Fears tickets? People think we’re trying to be funny – Nope, this is a prime example). Thankfully, Good Man Curt Smith – G-d love him – tweeted forward with a statement that once again proved his knowledge and sentiment to the cause of the fans. They know WE TRY hard to be at every show and that is an understatement.
1. I’m sorry to hear about the issues with ticket availability for our London show. I have had discussions with management & agents.
I have been that fan that literally flies home, goes to work and flies out that same evening JUST to see them one more time and in many cases, over and over again. It’s just THAT healing. But it’s even better when you’ve got a great venue with amazing seats and don’t have to contend with standing in queue 6-7 hours prior to the show for the dreaded Gen Am. THIS my dear fellow fans, is the show of shows to be at and I pray that something works out so that it happens again (maybe annually for a few years) so that we can all show up and show out in lovely frocks with our handkerchiefs in tow crying like a bride’s mother over these songs that have left us shook as f*ck.
Speaking of being shook, check out who is opening for the band… Freya Ridings. Check her out…powerful voice!
If by chance you just want to be in the area and hang around (there are people that do that), take British Airways or Delta. Use a car service to get you to and from London Heathrow and spoil yourself with a night at the Kensington. Then walk over to RAH and just be somewhere near without being disruptive. Just do it. Stay the weekend, leave on a Sunday. Walk around, be in the energy of historic London…just do it. If you have the resources to just get there…GO!
Are You Serious? What the hell are we gonna do?
RAH has guided tours, tea and much more. While you’re there, hire a car and go to Bath, England. Plan to stay a night there as well. Make the most of it!
26 October Show with BBC2
So, this is also happening and we’ve yet to have heard who the blessed Earls of Fortune are that got the tickets. But just “For Everyone’s I” as Curt would say, this is taking place. Bookmark it and follow it, you never know what you may see or find out on the day of the show. Gonna be pretty sweet for sure.
Meet and Greets
We get this question for every show. Unlike years past, we just don’t see these like we used to for a variety of reasons. It’s sort of an every man for himself, just ask and see what happens kind of thing. All we can say is for goodness sake, hold on to the no scream policy. Do not freak out around the band if you see them. Keep it cool. For some it’s hard because it’s literally like watching an angel manifest before you. Some may disagree but for those that “know” …you know it’s true.
Travel Fan Team on the Ground
For every show there is a loyal one who usually comes through and provides the coverage that we archive. We all pool our videos, whomever got the best one for each song is what goes online. Everyone uploads their selections to YouTube or sends us a file via email. We don’t know what will happen this time around because that ticket debacle just threw us off. We’re hoping for the best.
What to expect?
The set list we’ve been hearing and hopefully some surprises. We’re checking to see if Mr. Moyer will join because that means Working Hour gets played! Heck yes!!! We’re also hoping the “Broken” ending for HOH will be played as well. That’s one to make you faint…bring your smelling salts and look alive. We can only pray that I Love You But I’m Lost will be permitted to the public at both shows. We’ll see!
Cheers all, have a great time and stay in touch! We’ll be either within a mile of the venue being present and respectful or reachable by phone. Keep your passport card with you, keep the passport in the hotel. Trust us on that one!
-AA, Tears for Fears Travel Fan Team
As requested, here are the lyrics to Tears For Fears’ mind blowing new single that has fans up talking about it 24/7. You can thank Captain Julian Orzabal for these. He sent them to Andye, the blog and Travel Fan team moderator after a conversation of which we’ll discuss later. Below the lyrics is a link to the discussion taking place on the Tears For Fears & Kooks Travel Fan Team FB wall.
How do these lyrics relate to your life? Did they pierce your heart? How are you feeling after listening to ILYBIL?
Lyrics: I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST
LOST IN THE MAZE OF THE BACK STREETS I STRUGGLED
FIGHTING MY WAY THROUGH A WHOLE LOT OF TROUBLE
TOO MANY PEOPLE WERE TALKING WITHOUT MOVING THEIR MOUTHS
SO MANY DAYS SO MANY NIGHTS EVER WONDER
BY THE LIES THAT HAVE STOLEN MY THUNDER
IN THE HAZE OF MY MIND ALL THE WIRES WERE CROSSED
I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST
FROM A FLAME TO THE SPARK OF AN EMBER
TO A FIRE ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER
WE ESCAPED FROM THE LIGHT NOW WE COUNT THE COST
I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST
I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST
LOOK AT THE MARKS ON YOUR ARMS ALL THE COLOURS
HOW YOU LIKE TO MAKE THEM PAY
THESE ARE THE REASONS WHY YOUR LIFE IS NOT QUITE WHAT IT WAS
IN A DREAM AT THE EDGE OF A RIVER
WHERE WE SWAM WHERE I WATCHED YOU SHIVER
CAME TO LIFE IN MY ARMS AND THEN TURNED TO DUST
Before we discuss next steps I think we just need to breathe. That was a long a$$ tour and wayyy too much fun, wow! For those that followed along every night and stayed the course virtually with the frequent plane hop to be there in person, high freakin’ five to you and the crew! Again, so many MVPs to name! The Rocsatears, Tears for Fears Travel Fans and so many more from all OVER the globe showed up and showed out for these concerts. Santa Barbara got a lot of the hardcore travel fans on video dancing song after song nonstop, singing along to every word and showing their maaaad dedication to this band! You are the winners and you are impressive!
This was also an emotionally charged tour for many of us on a personal level. For quite a few, you were running to this tour for healing. You were going through all kinds of stuff at home, in your work life and beyond. The spirit world was knocking at the door taking relatives and in some cases it simply warned you to slow down and change course. You survived again…alongside Tears for Fears. That’s what we do. This is our sanctuary. The band themselves will perhaps never know or even understand how much we rather rely on their music to get us through the day. When crazy happens…turn on Tears for Fears. When the world is falling down around you, grab your prayer book and Tears for Fears – sometimes it’s hard to tell one from the other – both help more than words can say!
Logistically this was a difficult tour and rather expensive with the double artists tickets in the $300-$400 range not to mention airfare from city to city. At this point most of us like to attend a string of shows…like 5-6 at a time and that means taking off a week or two from our daily lives and responsibilities. Next year is looking highly likely to be a heavy travel year as well so let’s rest up and be prepared for it! Let’s hope the VIP option stays though – especially if it includes all TFF merch for 2018. It helped a lot! Send your thoughts on that…
There is so much more to be said but let’s focus on next year and be glad we got to be together again this year! If you have any questions, continue to send them in to our Facebook page, we’ll answer to the best of our ability or will reach out to the band (and in some cases) point you to management, etc.
The Pause… We’re not going to discuss it. They got through it and they will chat about it when they feel like it. And that is all!
Tune in Thursday 12 October at 7:30am GMT/UTC (Update – show aired within the 2a ET hour) BBCRadio2 for a track/single from the new album. To convert, login to TimeAndDate to check the time in your region.
What to expect? I Love You But I’m Lost (ILYBIL)
“There’s a song called “My Demons.” There’s a song called “I Love You but I’m Lost,” “End of Night.” These are all very strong singles. “Up Above the World” has just got a great, fantastic beat.” – Roland Orzabal during an interview with Chris Callaway
Cheers and thank you for hanging out with us before and after the shows in various cities. Let’s hope our Tears for Fears Fan Conference dreams (sent proposal *cough cough*) come to fruition in 2018 or shortly after…
-AA, Tears for Fears Travel Fan Team Moderator
P.S. We’ll have Travel Fan info about the London show this week! Even if you don’t have tickets, you’ll still want the news! You can also win tickets to the event the night before the concert. Stick around!
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 