Many of our fellow Tears for Fears Travel Fan team members know of Michael Roland Magno because we mention his amazing work and those with which he has collaborated over the years. He and his band opened for America back in 2008. The band in which he is the lead singer has toured with Little Feat. He is always in demand in Atlanta and…loves Tears for Fears!
Michael Magno, or “Magno” to his adoring fans and family, is certainly one of the people we hope the band will collaborate with in the near future. He is always asked and recommended by top musicians as one of the best openers for events. The music and musicians he has in his circle are strong, powerful and talented young men and women. Everything he does is top quality!
The motto of the Tears for Fears travel fans is 365 Days a Year of Tears for Fears. That means there’s not a day that goes by that we are not discussing, thinking about or doing something related to TFF. Magno recently took on a challenge, 365 songs for 2017. Day 6 of the year, Michael featured EWTRTW, the very song several of our travel fan team saw him sing in 2008 upon first meeting this great musician. We think he did a great job and we appreciate him highlighting the band in his show of appreciation of great musicians this year. Hopefully we’ll see him on tour in the future with Tears for Fears. That’s our wish!
Check out more of the awesome and super kind, easy-going, ultra talented and award-winning, MAGNO with these links below. Care to follow? Tell him the Tears for Fears Travel fan team sent ya! He follows back! p.s. He’s Filipino-American, fits right in with us yeah? #PhilsKooks rejoice. He’s one of us!
The Tears for Fears Las Vegas show at the Palm was another win-win for the band and the fans. Reviews, photos and commentary about the show are stating it was fantastic and the travel fans are thrilled that Good Man Curt Smith gave a shoutout from the stage! That means the world to us as a team and band fan family. Over 56 West Coast Kooks gathered to meet up with locals and join the hundreds of people that filled the Pearl Theatre. It was EPIC and quickly named one of the best shows of #TFF2014.
~~This post is lengthy and will detail logistic notes, the good and the bad, so feel free to scroll down to “the show” if you’re looking to get just the details on the performance ~~
Great picture from Sweet E. (looks like Ramskull’s cousin)
Accommodations – Loving the Palm – Black Friday Deals! One of the plusses of this band fan excursion were the black friday deals posted by the Palm Casino and Resort. Rooms were as low as $39 on Sunday night. So if you stayed through the weekend you were looking at $150 at most for 2 days in select rooms at this swank hotel. It was quite a bonus. The staff at the Palm were very accommodating and favourited several of our Twitter posts as they were aware the team was coming in for the show. Can’t stress enough how helpful they were, absolutely awesome via phone. Also great, speedy, easy to navigate booking process online as well.
Looking at other logistics – OMG, are we even gonna make it?!
Our planning for this excursion started the very day that the concert was confirmed. Again, there was a hint that Vegas was on the TFF 2014 list but after reading in September/October that the tour was “done for the year” (or something to that nature) many assumed that this meant no more shows. Suddenly Jimmy Kimmel Live was confirmed and shortly after, the Vegas show at the Palm and KROQ. This meant fans had just over a month to prepare for more travel. To top that off, Lady K discovered the BellyUp show some time after that and was one of few who managed to grab a ticket before it was too late. That venue holds approx 500 people (according to fellow fans) and those tickets sold out “within minutes” from what we understand.
courtesy Becky (BB)
With the additional shows announced, multiple East Coast Travel Fans checked their calendars, got time off from work and begged babysitters to watch the little ones so they could be there to enjoy the GoodMan, the Good Sir and team for the holidays. But after looking at the plane tickets, several saw that prices on most carriers were DOUBLE the usual amount. Even the ‘Black Friday’ sales were quite high – some carriers were listing East Coast to LAS as $450-$1000 (Atlanta rate) in November and by the time we got to the week of, the tickets were $905 to $1100+. Trying to get tickets for oneself, not to mention a spouse became questionable. Many fans from the East Coast stated this was one of the reasons they would not be there. $2000 is quite a bit to spend when it’s usually $290-$350 round trip. So, in short, getting to these final shows of the year was not easy. Kudos to the 2 East Coasters that reported they would be in for the show and those that checked-in during the arrival roll call.
After conducting a survey for travel fans and also speaking to loyals who have a reputuation for going anywhere the band goes, we see that “some” communication between those who release show info and those who need it (i.e. Travel Fans and TFF loyals on both coasts) is greatly lacking. We certainly will need more than a month’s notice, preferably 60 days. We don’t feel 87+ x $97 is a bad profit for the venue to gain…but those 87 were not there, so that’s ticket dollars lost. Hello to whom it may concern!!! This band is special!! It has a travelling fan club much like Duran Duran’s and we need advanced notices, not a week before tickets go on sale!! Thanks!! <– A formal system has been set up to address this. We’ll see what happens…
Shipmates and their Captain, Julian Orzabal, ruler of the high seas, creator of The Wonky Woo childrens book series and lead singer w/DelaQ. Boom Boom, SK & the Captain
The SS DelaQ Rolled In…
One of the major highliights of the trip was Captain Julian Orzabal being on hand as well as Lady Rise. Friday night’s drinks and fan fun featured shipmates Silver Kitty, Becky Boom Boom, Lady Rise and the Captain himself. We’re always thrilled to have him around. He is an integral part of fan life!
Fan MeetUp
The next night, long time fan Alfredo, who was also with us back in 2012 at Sunset Station and countless shows before that, hosted the Travel Fan meetup for this occasion. Fans met up in front of the Pearl Theatre at 3:30pm for a drinks and convos. Anxious as we are, several got in line soon after. Pictures and check-ins from the West Coast Kooks poured in. A few East Coast Kook/Travel Fans also made it in (some last minute). “We’re in skirts” Becky Boom Boom texted when asked “what’s tonight’s attire?” Fans looked incredible in their fashionable #TourCouture. Pennie K with the purple sharpie, Silver Kitty swankin’ in silver and gray, Becks in blue, Lady K had a stylish sway as did Cams with her cool hair colour. High five for Haute Couture on tour!
Tears for Fears loyalists and travel fans ready for ROCS! #ItsMagic
Big shoutout to #DrummerGenius Jamie Wollam who gave some hugs and hellos to familiar faces! We’re always glad to know he’s around. Beatifully bearded Bill was seen the night before…that’s always a plus. “Bill!!! Bill!!!”
Floor/Gen Am section Courtesy if BF
Another shoutout to the Good Man Curt Smith for his #TravelFan team shoutout on stage and a big high five to Sweet E and her daughter Audrey for making the trip from the midwest to Vegas. Let’s add a ‘Big hug and kiss’ to Rosalie, maraming salamat ya kapatid!! She went around and hugged everyone, delivering love from Manila. And a cool virtual hug to Lady Wzzy for getting a picture for Patricia who stayed up late in France.
Roland rockin’ it w/the team! Courtesy of Cams
The Show
Twitter, Instagram and FB lit up with videos and photos of the band. Text messages filled phones with photos and video of the dynamic duo dancing and doin’ their thing on stage. It was a circular raised theatre platform so the band seemed spread out but fans on the front row managed some great shots and cool footage inlcuding this one taken by Cams.
Set List
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Secret World
Sowing the Seeds of Love
Change
Mad World
Memories Fade
Closest Thing to Heaven
Ready to Start*
Creep*
Advice for the Young at Heart
Badman’s Song
Pale Shelter
Head Over Heels
Break It Down Again Woman In Chains
Shout
(order may be a bit off)
*Covers
Ready to Start by Arcade Fire
Creep by Radiohead
Not too long after the show, Curt noted that he got home safe and sound into the warm loving arms of his wife and family. Captain Julian stated the show was rockin’ and the Good Sir had a tearful goodbye to Vegas and new friends in his twitter feed.
Really cool decor featuring the band was everywhere! photo courtesy BB & SK
Tears for Fears’ Vegas shows have a long history of being some of the most fun ones on record. Fans fly in from ALL OVER THE WORLD to be there, including those from outside the states. The fan family continues to grow and we’re all gearing up for another amazing year with the band leading the way. Many thanks to all of the travel fans who worked tirelessly around the clock to scan the internet for ticket deals. Thanks to Becky’s daughter, Lady Rise, Lady K, Pennie K, Silver Kitty, Becky for their contributions to the travel team from day one and a roaring number of others who were determined to be there. Huge thanks to those who stayed up all night long watching, RT-ing and those on deck who provided photos and more for all to enjoy. Another EPIC online party and show!
Curt Smith continues to leave us spellbound and speechless…except on his birthday when we’re barely able to keep our cool screaming BONNE ANNIVERSAIRE, CUMPLEANOS FELIZ and other well wishes in all of our languages! 🙂 The Good Man’s Kerfuffle of Kooks are an international bundle of joy, always ready to rock be it online or in line before the shows. Curt has inherited a huge global family and the love is mutual. Led by Carri D (USA) and Patricia Patty-O (France) in their signature fashion, we’re celebrating Curt Smith ALL DAY!!
Happy Birthday to Curt Smith ~ 24 June
Love from Patricia O (France)More Love from Patricia
One of the leaders of the Phils Kooks, Joyce, is known for her daily interaction with her favourite rockers Tears for Fears. She and other fans are known for their amazing art work, sketches and jewelry. Here, she presents a new gift to Curt. Enjoy this great fan art!
Fan Art by Joyce, one of the team leaders of the Phils Kooks, TFF Travel Fan team PhilippinesMarcio do Brasil is ready to roll and ready to go! Give this guy a piece of cake and a glass of Gin!
Our sweet Juli-Juli of Japan leads us in a birthday song 🙂
Little Juli-Juli age 8 – she grew up to be a true superfanatic, kawaii too! 🙂
Here’s a great poem from Melanie M.
From “Big Chair” onward,
TFF’s music’s kept me strong.
It’s truly been an inspiration,
Never steering me wrong.
Listening numerous times,
I taught myself to play your songs by ear.
Because of this ability,
My heart is filled with cheer.
Besides enjoying your music,
TFF and solo alike,
I also enjoy seeing you on “Psych”.
“Shawn 2.0”, “100 Clues”,
And “A Nightmare on State Street”,
Now, everything Pineapple is my favorite treat!
This poem’s to wish you a Happy Birthday, Curt, from a fan in New Orleans!
Superfan Carri adds this great card, sleek and sophisticated…We can all guess who on this iconic imagery, Manami wishes Curt a Happy Birthday from JapanManami’s cat is in on it too! Meow Happy Birthday, Good Man, meow!Lisa, who joined the fan travel team back in 2011 after years of fandom sends her great memories of fun times with Curt Smith
And of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday party unless Curt’s political other half Traci joined in. Loyal as the day is long Traci shows up at concerts military style. She sends her love to Curt in a great message.
Happy Birthday to Mr. Coolness!!! I remember affectionately calling you this in ’09 and said to myself how it just fits you and your world! Your vibe in bass playing and singing is so to my fan heart. When talking with other TFF admirers we find ourselves talking or can discuss aspects of Tears For Fears music, life etc and what we adore from you both. I can tend to be on the shy side often though some may say otherwise but it’s very true. I adore the fact you have taken a shy person like me and helped me enjoy social media from time to time. Because you engage with your peeps it strips away the stigma to what many of us only saw through a distance of stage and interviews. I thank you so much for filling my musical file with your great music. Many other fans may share more in how much they enjoy TFF and your solo but my love for your music is nonetheless. I can feel as though my words can’t express what you bring to my little world and therefore as I want to say them to you my words etc. are not enough. I get nervous or even somewhat overwhelmed to point I could be a fool then I back off and go silent. I thank you again you have worked to get to know me and didn’t run away or push me away. Even as I type this out tears are forming in my eyes because Tears For Fears, both you and Roland’s solo work means so much to me. I will try to share more or better as I can. Please know I respect you, your sense of style, your love for your family and you voice sends me to known joy. Thanks as always Papa S.
Traci Lynn Smith
Carri D and SheeShee got the Vinyl! Celebrating Curt’s birthday the right way!SheeShee loves Curt!! #MutualAdmiration&Appreciation
More kickass cool pictures and fan art coming in from Japan!!
Here’s wishing TFF all the best for the coming year, 2015! Curt turns a healthy 53 years young today, and he looks OUTSTANDING! We’re very grateful for his continued interaction and including us in family life. We look forward to seeing him again, more amazing success stories, fun times with Tears for Fears and more! Cheers!
!!From all of us!! Happy Birthday
-Andye, Carri, Joyce, Patricia, Candra and contributors
We had endless online fun this year with lots of Pysch interactions and extra media mentions kicking off the start. In March we had a new place to follow the band, Tumblr. They also established an official Facebook page and twitter activity escalated.
Carri’s gift of glitter to the 2nd cover for this album.
We celebrated 30 years of The Hurting and as the months went on saw tons of collaboration and notable new bands eager to cover Tears For Fears’ music. We were able to enjoy the behind-the-scenes activities and connect with Spotify where we met the mutual influencers. Though some fans were horrified that anyone would dare touch the sacred songs, the band helped everyone understand how grateful they and the other 50% of the fans were that new groups were showing their appreciation and admiration by covering these untouchable pieces of audio art. To top that, there were a substantial amount phenomenal covers by the band themselves, including Arcade Fire’s ‘Ready to Start’ and more.
Photo from Tears For Fears, KROQ & Portugal. The Man archives
Among the communication from the band we were surprised by spontaneous #CurtChats during any down moments that Curt had. This was really generous of the good man as he often incoporated us into his evenings…his sweet angels right by his side completing their nightly homework. It added such a personal touch and an enormous amount of love from the Smith Family to us. We are very appreciative beyond words. We also got to spend time with Curt simultaneously at the KROQ event through the power of streaming video. The holiday show featuring Curt Smith on stage with Portugal. The Man was outstanding. Fans across the USA and beyond stayed up to sync with the time zone and watch. Soon after that were more chances to chat. We loved that! *We did attempt to compile a FAQ page from the questions in 2013 but they added up to more than 255 inquiries+ and the answers are still being archived. No estimated time of delivery on that.
Curt also introduced us to our 2013 Holiday Gift which for TeamCS turned into the gift that keeps on giving. We rolled over some cash from the 2012 project to the Maceo cause. This project was mostly funded by Carri (USA) and Marcio (Brasil). Those large donations were outstanding and are being deducted from the fan account from Maceo’s team monthly. Again, big thanks and what a lovely example of team spirit with Curt as an inspiration.
We are very hopeful about 2014, with fans continuously asking for a tour. We’re certain that if it is profitable for the band to run around to various cities across many lands, they will. We’re not in a rush though. We just want the new music and a merch store, both of which were confirmed by Tears for Fears and in particular Curt Smith. Anything more will be a bonus…a much welcomed bonus even if it’s 2015.
Our gratitude toward the band and their continous interaction and updates are very appreciative from the throwback Thursdays (#tbt) to letting us know the progress of the new music. We even now have a chance to contribute to the remixes. It’s all GOLD to us and as long as permitted we will continue to stand right along side with support and admiration.
Big thanks to the team in Japan who provided artwork and 365 music updates, Juli-Juli and Manami, our fan lives are better because of you. Big thanks to Carri who spends countless hours focused on band news and updates from the sister sites of fans and social media boards and is always very generous in her donations to fan projects inspired by Curt Smith. Shout out to TAO and HUGE THANKS to the Orzabal family for countless interactions and being so down to earth and fun every single time, every single encounter. Our dedication knows no bounds, we are there for them. Cheers to an amazing year ahead inclusive of travel fan team fun in 2014!
Happy Birthday to Curt’s Angel Wilder who turned a year sweeter last week.
Thanks for reading…
(AA)
*If you have any questions about 2013 and before, type them into the search box to find blog posts that answer your inquiries or send a tweet to @papasfans (or email our FB fan page) in regard to travel fan updates and activities we’ve covered.
Carri’s gift of glitter to the 2nd cover for this album.
We band travellers got a little upgrade too. We are now tearsandkooksintl.com …we’ll be metamorphing into some fun new things. BEST OF BAND FAN MOMENTS is all this weekend plus a look at Tears For Fears fan meetups that take place in Brasil. Stay tuned. Follow @tearsforfears on twitter for official band news. Don’t believe anything unless you hear it from @curtsmith or @tearsforfears first. We will be right behind it with RTs and other updates as it relates to travelling fans. Have fun and Enjoy!!!
A warm night in Japan turns totally cool when Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are around. (no reposting of this photo please)
Juli (Admiral Juli) is a fun little lady from Japan with a determined spirit and a heart of gold. Known for her famous Tears For Fears Bible of Dreams website for Japanese TFF fans (inclusive of Curt’s Solo work, Roland’s, Julian Orzabal of DelaQ and many others past and present), Juli is a wealth of information on band media. She has pictures dating back to 1982 again featuring band members past and present. It’s amazing.
Juli has newspapers, magazines, you name it… about Tears For Fears dating back to day 1.
Juli and Joyce have been generous in their fan club funding by supporting members financially in other regions. We trust their fan club fund account will be reimbursed by those who benefit from their savings.
Archive of Curt Smith Juli kept…from Japanese media
Pushed by Maurin, Juli and others led a campaign in 2012 to do fan meetups before the Tears for Fears concert. They were very successful and one of the few regions to pull off the sunflower crowd surfing which also led to the formation of the Sunflower Club -a branch of the Japan TFF fan club at large. *Juli is also an illustrator and does animated photos of the band regularly.
Juli, you are one thoughtful, passionate person. We wouldn’t be the same without you.
The Sunflower Club of Japan, one of the longest running (still active) Fan Clubs for Tears for Fears… established in the early 90s.
It was still raining after a week long of heavy rains and floods. Yes, Manila included. And TEARS FOR FEARS is having a 2-night concert at The Big Dome on August 10 & 11!
I was driving that Thursday morning and i told myself that if the sun comes up at around noon, I will call Amur, Jan, Gie & Lori and will have dinner at Shangrila Hotel. Why there? I had the feeling TFF would be there – I dunno…I just “felt” it. At noon, the sun was shining bright….after more than a week of no sun! It was a sign. 🙂
Joyce A’s art of Curt Smith
At 6pm, I was already at the hotel and asked for a valet parking (’cause I didn’t want to stress myself looking for a parking slot). I went to the powder room and decided to wait there for Amur and Gie. My iphone alerted me for a notification from CURT SMITH! My heart jumped. I had a hard time reading the whole message ’cause i forgot to bring my eyeglasses! LOL I had to ask Amur to read the message for me. Mr. Smith asked: “How many Manila KOOKS are there?”
A lot of things were on my mind I couldn’t absorb what Curt was saying. I thought he was asking how many of us were there at the hotel. I even looked at Amur wondering how did Curt know that we were at the hotel? So I said: 5 – then changed my mind – 6. Then changed my mind again – 7. (section removed for the sake of email/text privacy, long story short, these 7 people were notified that they would be able to have a few moments after the show to speak with Curt)
Dinner near the Band, can’t beat that…Manila, Philippines…
We headed to the lobby and decided to stay and have dinner there. We all thought: Lucky if we’d be able to see TFF that night but if not, all’s good. We were already on Cloud 9 after learning we were going to get to speak to Curt after the show.
At 7pm, while waiting for our food to arrive, Jan asked: “Is that Charlton Pettus?” I said: “Yes! – oh no, I have the feeling they will go down and spend some time there!” My third eye was working that night! After a few minutes, Jan said: “Oh no, it’s Curt Smith!”
And yes, it was indeed Mr. Curt Smith!!! The whole group (Amur, Jan, Rica – Jan’s wife, and Gie) started to approach Curt who was all smiles.
Me? I was there, glued to my seat ’cause i froze! After a couple of minutes, i started to join the group.
From afar, i could hear Curt say: “Oh Joyce, my textmate!”
That made my knees weak i almost fell to the floor! My heart even stopped beating! Believe me, the whole time we were w/ the Good Man, i didn’t utter a word to him! Where did my tongue go????
Picture by Phils Kooks Joyce & Team
We spent that Thursday night listening to some good music, having dinner while the whole TFF group was at the next table. Yes Roland Orzabal was there too but we were all behaved and noone had the guts to approach Roland. I wanted to, but I was having butterflies in my stomach. I had with me the sketch I made for Roland in 2011. I desperately wanted to hand it to him personally. Finally, I stood up. Amur asked where i was going. I said: “I’m going to Roland” then i started to walk.
My friends were surprised and Amur even shouted: “Hey!”
I didn’t look back – i was afraid that if i look back, i’d be going back to my chair and do nothing. I thought: if i go back and think of the things i’d say to Roland, i’d stammer and it would be worse. I also thought: Roland is the elusive one – I won’t let this moment pass doing nothing.
TFF Stage, photo sent by Joyce
I was standing beside Roland and politely said: “Hi – sorry to disturb you but i just would like to give this to you. It’s a simple present i made.”
Roland: “Wow! Thank you.”
Me: “Btw, i’m Joyce”
Roland: “Joyce….nice name. Btw, i’m Roland” he offered his hand.
Me: “I know!” 🙂
Roland: “What is it?” (referring to the envelope i handed to him)
Me: “It’s a simple sketch i made for you”
Roland: “Can i take a look? Oh, but i won’t be able to see it. I don’t have my eyeglasses”
Me: “It’s big – you can see it”
He opened the envelope and took out the sketch.
Me: “It’s ink on paper”
Roland: “Wow! Amazing! I look the same!” (wide smile)
Me: “Of course!”
Roland: “Can i have it?”
Me: “It’s for you!”
Roland: “Thank you! It’s beautiful!”
He opened his arms for a hug and kissed me. One of the best nights of my life! Dreams do come true. ❤
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 