This is dedicated to Lax, our travel fan pal from 2015. He is so hardcore he went to David Lynch’s concert and Tears for Fears all in the same night. He’s been doing shows for quite a while. Glad we got to do a couple with him. Also dedicated to Alan Todd who shared some amazing videos. Shout out to Mr. Mendoza who was also there!
Jason DeBord was in attendance. Long time fans will remember him from San Francisco 2012. Took some great shots and did an amazing write up on the show. Looking forward to sharing his work.
Some really cool things happened at this show. You all may remember Bill from way back when. He’s been with the band for a long time. Bill is a hard worker and is very kind, thoughtful and intelligent. He opened the Humphrey’s show with some bandmates and that was awesome. Thanks to his pal Sammy for allowing us to share this photo.
With that said, we think it’s important to highlight some of the amazing people who make these tours so majestic. Bill is certainly one of those people. On numerous occasions he has gone above and beyond to be kind. We appreciate it. We’re aware that it’s a task to remember faces and names. Not everyone can get a set list or a pair of drumsticks from the band but he, Jamie and others do try very hard to be fair and do extra things like that and it’s always appreciated by the recipients be they a part of our Travel Fan Team or someone who is just joining in the fan shenanigans.
Again, Bobby drove fans from place to place as did Becky (who was responsible for taking care of our travel fan t-shirts that were such a hit). So many people stayed in touch the entire time via email, Twitter and other social platforms. New friendships were made and the pictures say it all. The teamwork was terrific and was noticed!
Meet Your Fellow Fans Online! Click through and like the content. Be sure to leave a hi and connect. It’s awesome to make new friends in the name of music.
We finally got connected online with cool guy Alan Todd. Check out his work!
Advice
Change
Mad World (Very similar to the version Mr. Jules did when he was on Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith – we miss that show!)
Steven Mendoza was there too. Is that the same Mr. Mendoza we ran into years ago?
Pale Shelter
Head Over Heels
Shout
Shout – another angle
There were also a few social shares…
Sowing the Seeds of Love
Head Over Heels
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLXqa9kh4OA/?hl=en
Shout
Did you miss a show? You can find links to all the concert recaps and photos on the reschedule note. Feel free to share your concert experience on the Tears for Fears Travel Fans and Kooks FB page. Get some sleep, replenish your travel fan cash and perch! Also, please see the note below from the moderator to wrap up what has been a really amazing couple of weeks.
*Tour Pause – Closing Note from the Moderator
Very sad I didn’t get to meet many of the new people that flew out to see the band. When the reschedule dates were released they were on days that I had committed to other events. I’ve literally been en route to something 90% of the past three weeks. Also, much like many others, I couldn’t believe the $1000 total to rebook flights. I would rather put that money toward Tears for Fears merch and tour accommodations. It was a very angering experience to see there was absolutely no way to remedy that. For me it was a sign that maybe I should put a stop to the whole “Stop, Drop and Go see Tears for Fears” way of life that I’ve had for the last 6 years. We always say we’re making up for lost time and that’s why we go to such extremes to get to so many shows. Well, maybe that time has been made up?
As I sat in hotels here and there, I was continuously on the phone or exchanging email with fellow fans as we scrambled to see if we could get better seats for those flying such a long way. Some even flew in from the UK (Obrigada Paula). Others drove for hours. It was a lot of work! Despite not being physically present I am terribly exhausted. But it was worth it because many of those very people claimed that the band was in ‘belle forme.’ I’m so glad that people who dedicate a chunk of their year to see TFF didn’t have to break with tradition. The extreme excitement of a Tears for Fears show rushed through not only myself as I logged on at night to pick up video being sent to me but it electrified everyone else as well. It was even with us throughout the day. So many of us were literally in a state of excitement for three weeks.
I don’t know which was my favourite show. If I had to pick I’d say it would be Red Rocks. The energy was just wow! There were some really cool moments for the core team and the ROCSaTears. I’m so grateful that the band took time with those that appreciate their music enough to move heaven and earth to be present as much as possible. I know that inner flame of travel fandom and a sense of peace came over me when I saw Tears for Fears actually smiling together with fellow fans wrapped around them like dolls. We adore Tears for Fears and their families. Nothing beats getting to physically stand with them even if for a brief moment. I felt a so much comfort and relief when I saw the band hugging fellow fans and the numerous interactions on Twitter and in person.
Why So Emotional?
I learned something about myself this time around and that is, I accidentally became emotionally invested in this band and didn’t even realise it. A few others have expressed the same. For those who are feeling “addicted” to the work of Tears for Fears, remember that the band created several albums and you have purchased all of them and perhaps several copies and remastered remixes as well. They hold concerts and you bought tickets and enjoyed every show. This is what they are offering and this is what we’ve got. When we start to ponder what else is available, we are reaching a level that may not be the healthiest way to exist in the Tears for Fears fan world no matter how cool a Tears for Fears museum or fan conference may be.
The band knows many of us have a wish list a mile long that includes everything from a group photo spot at every show to a website with a registered fan base. What they are offering right now is music, concerts and merch. We will bask in the availability of those things and do our best not to get caught up in a dream land filled with visions of Tears for Fears theme nights at Disneyland (yeahhh…that was someone’s wish and what a cool thing that might have been).
In closing…
I do hope that everyone had a good time. It’s really refreshing to see that Curt took note of the front row. I hope that, if anything, Curt can somehow get those front row seats and sell them to fans directly. It’s long overdue that those of us who follow the band religiously should never have to fear that we’re going to end up in the balcony being yelled at by some person who doesn’t even own a copy of ELAHE (let alone have a copy of Tomcats and Mayfield) and only came to hear them sing Shout. You deserve better than that and so does the band.
Long live the good work that Tears for Fears has produced and I pray all of us are able to enjoy it to the fullest in the future. And…don’t forget the flight and ticket insurance! Just keepin’ it real…
-AA
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 