This is dedicated to Jolene B and Pam. Huge thanks to these ladies for making it out to the show and representing superfan life in the TFF Travel Fan world. So glad they had a great time! This means a lot!
Thank you @rolandtff and @curtsmith for an amazing concert! I've never heard anyone that sounds so phenomenal live or made it so personal. pic.twitter.com/aHoN7ZmpS6
Thank you @rolandtff and @curtsmith for an amazing concert! I've never heard anyone that sounds so phenomenal live or made it so personal. pic.twitter.com/aHoN7ZmpS6
To all the fans we chat with daily that travelled to see the band, it’s clear you had an amazing night and your fellow fans are thrilled. Again, many thanks to all who checked-in all night. Hope we get to spend more time together in the future. Cheers!
For many, the Tears for Fears tours are a ceremonial pilgrimage, a getaway to another state of mind. Anything that ails you is swept away as soon as the opening music leading them to the stage begins to play. We’ve spoken about that feeling before and it’s simply majestic. Few things compare to these tours. It’s a different kind of excitement, a mysterious energy that just coats a crowd…and, as we’ve noted for years, it’s addictive. Enter the Kerfuffle of Kooks, the travel fans, the hard core peeps that can’t stay away, it’s a craving that must be satisfied. They prove again and again that this band is not only relevant but vital to the industry. What Roland, Curt and team bring to the musical table is very unique and impossible to forget.
More of ROCS here: https://www.periscope.tv/QtCDior28/1YqJDDZgDDaJV?t=4 *Periscope videos last about 24 hours unless the user archives it. CD/SK is very good about archiving her experience on YT so you can follow videos there. Please be sure to like and comment on her channel. Many thanks!
Of the many bands that stirred up euphoric emotion in the 70s, 80s and 90s, The Fixx has its place among them as does the continued music of David Bowie. Both are heard before most shows which results in a myriad of “ohmmigaaahd, I love this song” and “Yess!! Bowie, YEESSS!!” from the crowd. That, too, is an experience and warming to see. The band or somebody in the crew has had this mix of music since 2010 and it’s like…the best music mix ever with these amazing timeless pieces of gold. Tears for Fears, The Fixx, and David Bowie are to rock what Beethoven is to classical music. Their work is etched in industry stone as unmatched. So, this share from “solohour” was a treat! Hear the music in the background…mmmmm. That tingling feeling of joy just sweeps over us.
The Fixx Stand or Fall…a fantastic fixture pre-show
Ahhh VIP, a little slice of heaven. This was brought to our attention. Yes, this is what some of the passes look like but they of course usually change from show to show and for good reason. We’re well aware that this is a special option that doesn’t happen for everyone. As seen on photos floating around the internet, yes, we’ve been “back there.” What goes on back there? Well, sometimes there’s a lot of people. At times we saw a lot of the crew. Other times it was just us and the band because we had a meeting. Each time, you can find people chatting and talking about music. People were very friendly (lots of familiar faces). There are cool people taking photos and it’s a very kind and informal environment. ROCS usually change clothes and they both look like a million dollars from head to toe all over again. It’s a very warm and peaceful experience with angelic excitement if that makes any sense. We hope that one day a fan conference will be in place so that many of the newer hard core travellers (as well as the loyal returners pre-ELAHE) will be able to have a moment to shake the guys’ hands. We know that is important and many have messages they want to say in person. It’ll have to be done strategically. We don’t want to overwhelm anyone and disturb their peaceful aura.
Here are video shares from the night, again please make sure you like the clips and make a new friend. Nothing compares to online friendships that eventually come to life at shows. All of us met online prior to travelling together. Huge thanks to the TFF Travel Fan Team for always going the extra mile. Whether you know it or not, it is noticed and it is appreciated. Enjoy!
EWTRTW
Sowing the Seeds of Love
Mad World
Pale Shelter
Head Over Heels
Shout
Awesome shares on Instagram. Make a new friend, like a post and leave a comment.
Please note that there is a TFF Arizona Fan Meet-Up in the works. It is for fans only (no guarantee that the band will be present). Please check out Lael’s post on the TFF Travel Fan Team FB page and reply for details. Have a great rest of the week!
Look out for posts from the band before and after the show via @CurtSmith @Rolandtff and @TearsForFears.
*Dedicated to the TFF Travel Fan Team at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Curt’s Kerfuffle of Kooks. Huge thanks to Drummer Genius Jamie for the hugs!
“Such an amazing show tonight!!! Gorgeous venue!! The band has never sounded better!!! The crowd was so stoked!! There are no words to describe how incredible tonight was! Not to mention, the incredible gift from Jamie Jamie Wollam! The cherry on top was a tweet from Curt Smith!!! Wow! I wonder if I’ll ever come back down to earth! PS: As always CD & I were representing!!!” – Becky Boom Boom – Travel Fan Soldier of Sound – a real ROCSaTear
Soldiers of Sound armour… many hard core travel fans wear it to every show. These are the “ID” bracelets from the coveted, limited edition “Curt Smith Bundle.” #VIKForLife
Hard to say anything else really…just speechless. As mentioned in the travel fan info, so many fans headed out to this show. The venue was packed. Very grateful we had so many long time travel fans on the ground last night. Huge thanks to those who went the extra mile to support Tears for Fears. There’s a lot to be said about people who dedicate their time and energy to this group. Not enough thank yous in any language to sum up the gratitude felt all around. Cheers all, enjoy the shares below. Be sure to click through, like the posts, and make a new Tears for Fears fan friend…
Thank you Jamie for taking the time and welcome Lindsey R to the crew.
*Drummer Genius Jamie will probably never know or be able to fathom how much he means to us. Some things are just left unsaid because it’s hard to express. Wishing he and the crew decades of good times ahead and we pray we get another 30+ years to enjoy them.
From Lady Carolyn: “The bag he is holding contains a couple gifts we got for him. Bobby Russell came up with the idea of finding out what brand of drumsticks Jamie Wollam uses and the size he prefers, and signing our names on them with different colored sharpies. Jamie is always giving the fans his drumsticks as precious souvenirs and we wanted to pay him back in some way. While we were at the music store, I saw a beautiful black cowbell, so we got that and wrote appreciative messages on it with a silver sharpie. He loved the gifts and said they were going in his collection. We (Bobby Russell, Silver Kitty, Becky and I….The ROCSatears) are extremely honored. Jamie is such a kind man.”
On that note, there’ve been many nights where we’ve wondered how to repay the band back for their kindness…nice to see he was open to receiving the gifts.
TFF Travel Fan for over 15 years Bblaze!
Always amazing weather and scenery, great venue, stunning and lovely…
He knew exactly who he was looking at – thank Susan for this! 🙂
The love of this band has reached an intensity that is hard to ignore. It’s pretty deep. It’s so deep that several complained that the show was not long enough. People literally timed the show at around less than 90 minutes… one hour twenty or so? Hmm…and with a deep concern as to why it wasn’t longer.
Thanks Becky M for taking care of this! Best set list collector we’ve got!
Well they played all of the ELAHE selections and classics we expect and enjoy on tour. Only thing missing was the Arcade Fire Ready to Start cover…but that wasn’t on the set list last year either. So…all we can say is…those who are longing for more have a classic case of superfanitis. Many of us suffer from it. It’s dreadful. Even after going to shows for nearly two weeks in a row it’s not enough. There’s never enough of such a great band. This is what happens to you…you become addicted. One show is never enough. If it was we wouldn’t have formed this travel team. Big thanks to Susan for initiating a meetup!
There were some encounters with the band along the way and some snap shots. Those have been posted to various fan pages. Explore and enjoy. Tweet us if you have any questions. We are out of extra tickets for shows but can perhaps assist with other things. This weekend members of the core team head out to Colorado. Say hi if you see those of us with the yellow bands or VIK badges. Those are the hardcores that made sure people got great seats at shows during the reschedule xox.
-TFF Travel Fan Team
Let’s open with this gorgeous piece of footage by Live Music Guy – nice job!
Bit of a recap on the past week’s shows stars with the one at Maryhill Winery. These are videos and photos from Instagram and fans on the ground who have been in touch throughout this part of the tour. Many thanks to everyone for sharing individually and on your social accounts. Remember to tag your items #TFF2016 and we’ll be sure to find you and feature your dedication to the band and their music. Be sure to follow @tearsforfearsmusic on Instagram for live video and mini-montages from the shows.
Touch of the Superficial
Can we mention how good they looked at this show? Whaat whaat?! ROCS looked like teens! Check out Roland on Break It Down Again in the video link below. Amazing! That breeze had his tresses a’flowin’ like a river, it was gorgeous! Wow!
Compliments on the wine at Maryhill Winery + Billie Jean
Shout
So far several fans just feel the shows are too short. They want more than 90 minutes. But these set lists are the standard for Tears for Fears. When you adore them that much there is not such thing as “enough time” in their presence. It’s never enough…and why we as travel fans fight to get to as many shows as we can year after year. We feel you! It’s never long enough. We need a 3-day Tears for Fears concert with a show every night including solo work. Just sayin…keepin’ it real.
For those looking to meetup, let us know what shows you’re going to so we can get you in touch with other fans for group pictures and anything else that may come up! Safe Travels!
-TFF Travel Fan Team
*Dedicated to Angie and Kath, Tears for Fears Travel Fan Ambassadors based in Bath, England. Their outstanding service and support to the band that rules our hearts and minds is unmatched!
“The guys were charming and friendly on stage and the fans were brilliant. It was a really good turnout. The crowd loved them. It was all just so good. I’ll never forget it.” – Kath
“What a fab night! The band were great and they both have brilliant voices and Carina sounds fantastic.” -Angela
Dear Tears for Fears UK, you f*cking ROCK!!!! OMG!!! You really went above and beyond! What an incredible amount of team work! Big high fives to Angie and Kath who were positioned two rows from the stage gate on Roland and Carina’s side. These darling soldiers of sound from Bath are some of the original TFF Fans from day one! They captured video and photos promptly, helping us stay right on track in our passion to archive some of the bands best moments in performance as well as chit chat and fun extras that the guys and lady Carina provide.
Photos and videos were sent out in real time throughout the show
Arrested Development and Tears for Fears Reunited Again In Spirit at Camp Bestival
*note from moderator Andye
26 August 2010, a day that is still celebrated, AD and TFF shared a stage in Atlanta. That’s very significant because both were the first musicians featured on media and music assignments in my media/music career. It was backstage on student news sets that I happily researched TFF’s contributions to the industry. The band that had been playing on radios and televisions all around me since childhood was now a part of my education and work. AD, being one of best politically conscious bands on the scene at the time (I was merely 11 years old working as a volunteer in student news) was an instrumental tool in my early dedication to news and music. So seeing them on the Camp Bestival ticket (alongside Tears for Fears again) excited me beyond belief. @ADtheBand is also quite popular in the UK.
I coincidentally live in their same city and chat about politics and conscious fashion with their female vocalist, Ms Tasha LaRae, from time to time. During a follow up convo on the line-up, I learned that they would not be at Camp Bestival due to someone in the band not feeling well (we are certainly sympathetic because we know what it’s like when our bands/band’s family fall ill). 😦 Their absence didn’t stop loyal fans from buying Arrested Development’s album anyway. Upon learning this, our ambassadors sent over a few words of encouragement and healing. I will send the note to AD this week. Hopefully, next time we’ll have our AD/TFF supernova style amazement in 3D at a future show. -Andye
Kath and Angie’s Tears for Fears Travel Fan Team Experience
K & A reached out early on when the UK shows were announced. They wanted to make sure everyone travelling to Dorset would be in good hands. They quickly let us know they’d be there to get the video and photos. K &A made good on their promise and have for every single thing we’ve ever done. They were the ones behind the Longacre Hall project and so many other amazing group efforts. We’re thrilled to have them leading as ambassadors of this great legion of TFF soldiers of sound. Below are pictures from their golden music stash. Enjoy the videos and photos.
Huge thanks to all the fans that contributed over the weekend! Seeing everyone near and far make sure that those who wanted tickets had them was overwhelming and demonstrated outstanding team spirit. One person in L.A. was offering up a premium seat to the Newmarket show and others were clamouring over themselves to get to Camp Bestival as they ditched their previously scheduled plans at the last minute, dropping everything to be there and support the band. The crowd was enormous and electric. It was clear that they knew the songs and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with “Break It Down Again (BIDA).” To say it was a great show is a gross understatement…it was historic! Music reviews, music news sites and the like are all noting how amazing it was and how absolutely crystal clear their voices were. It was a solid and tight show, the entire band went above and beyond their best!
*Info on upcoming stateside shows will be surfacing soon. Schedule is on the front page of the blog and also at tearsforfears.com. Subscribe, connect and join in the fun!
The fun started early. Fans were eager for rehearsal information, opportunities to just shake hands with the band. We’re all so grateful they are back in the area. Looking amazing too…check out these pictures. Many thanks to Rob Waller who was on the ground for a quick hey to Good Man Curt Smith. Nice photos! #TravelFanTeam
Additional thanks to those on IG who shared their photos with everyone! Be sure to log on and like their pictures. Connect with fellow Tears for Fears fans.
Video Teaser that was released in February to promote the show
One of the awesome things about travelling to see this band is meeting up with fellow dedicated fans. The group is very diverse with writers, photographers, up & coming artists, award-winning musicians and families, sometimes third and fourth generation…and all from different cultures and walks of life. We all make great efforts to get to the shows with one common goal; Celebrate Tears for Fears.
This year we were happy to find out in advance that our honourary Travel Fan Pal, Jason DeBord, would be in attendance. He mentioned he’d aim to join the crowd for two shows, L.A. and Oakland. Here’s his review of the L.A. Wiltern sold out show that took place last month.
Review – Tears for Fears – Los Angeles – Venue – The Wiltern
“Is that the new iPhone 6?” Roland Orzabal, early on in the show, as he and Curt Smith looked out over the sea of cell phones in the air, held by an exuberant sold out crowd at the historic Wiltern in Los Angeles last night. Tears for Fears, best known for their collection of timeless and classic New Wave hits from the 80s, do not tour very often, and when they do, the tours are usually not too many dates and cities. So there was a bit of an “event” feeling in the air, and based on some of their comments later in the show, they both seem to have quite an affinity for the City of Angels. Click here to read more.
Follow @Rocksubculture on Twitter
Also see: Paul Stamat’s Review & Photos (very touching) Click here
photo by Josh DeBord – after 7pm at the Wiltern
Please read on to see the photos and videos from other professional writers and media team members and fans. Many thanks to everyone who contributed links, recordings and show photos. We’ve been sharing them for over a week and the excitement from this tour hasn’t left us…it lingers throughout the day and night, well into our dreams.
Tears for Fears – Oakland California – Fox Theatre
Where you goin’ Roland? Rolaannd?
Head Over Heels (crowd sing-a-long) posted by JeremyKirkf
Billy Jean posted by JeremyKirkf
Shout (Listen to the crowd’s excitement, it’s electric) posted by Flowen Production
photo provided by KLF Barrett
Tears for Fears Portland’s Project Pabst
First off, big thanks to KLF Barret for sharing photos throughout the evening, tweeting her show experience & filling our macaron dreams. Our travel fan team member Lael was too ill to attend the show but others stepped in and reported back with magnificent pictures and more.
Creep by Radiohead covered by Tears for Fears uploaded by Teresa Cook
(chose this particular upload as the others recorded the technical difficulties that were happening – check those out though, TFF handle everything like pros and are so crowd inclusive)
Sowing the Seeds of Love recorded by Bobby Digital
Ready to Start by AF covered by Tears for Fears
(there are so many great vidoes of this floating around, some featuring some eye-catching close-ups of Mr. Orzabal’s beautiful face. It’s breathtaking…so brace yourself.)
What a nice tweet from the band! Great picture! Lovely wrap up of 2014!
It's been amazing run of shows. Thank you to those of you who came out! It was so good to see you again…. pic.twitter.com/LT65P8Lnxs
Pros and Cons of 2014 – Let’s Be Real + Live Tweets & Instagram Posts
5. We’ve already agreed the tour was short notice. But we learned it was not the band’s intention (nor did we assume it was). They aren’t a team of arses so let’s move on from this.
4. It wasn’t East Coast as everyone assumed the next tour would be. But let’s rejoice that the midwest was once again included…and we had a damn good time in Texas and Oklahoma! Big thanks to Becky for helping make that happen.
Don’t be jealous, saddle up and ride the travel fan train. #GoToShows
3. 4 out 5 shows were general admission – Booo! Many fans reported to me that their bodies just can’t handle sitting on the ground outside or standing against a wall for long periods of time anymore. That is very understandable! As Carri would say, “We OVERstand your pain.” For those that mustered through the agony, thank you w/a virtual heating pad for those legs and ankles! We had a great time waiting in line and meeting new people! High Five to Katie and Snap Happy Pam…and to Jamie Wollum Drummer Genius for making it worth everyone’s while.
2. This was expensive!Actually, it was the same price as the last two tours with respect to hotel prices, food, merch, show tickets and airfare combined. The kicker was if you didn’t rent a car from the airport, it was easily $250-$333 each way from Dallas into Thackerville…adding an extra $500-$600.
BUT!!! Enter the Travel Fan Team —> ; We worked together. So, for those who carpooled or offered it, thank you! Huge thanks to Becky for clocking over 1,000 miles to get fans from point A to B and back again in time to catch their flights.
1. Missing Info & People… yeah. What was up with the lack of email newsletters from the offical tears for fears website? The official twitter handle was still only posting throwback thursday photos vs. show announcements. But that seems to be changing, so…let’s not be hard on band management, there are a lot of great folks behind that team. We owe them a lot.
**But can I just add that personally I missed Stand or Fall in the pre-show music series, like, maaaan, we were waitin’ on that track. Cool to have Seal but The Fixx, you know, that used to come on just before TFF on radio hit countdowns and…let me stop. I won’t kick up a stink over it. I should be happy in the pink.
See, somebody didn’t get the memo and missed a show! Not cool! Not cool!!
Annnd…a lot of people just couldn’t make it…but you know, it worked in the end for those that could. We were really worried if we could pull this off and by the Grace we did and were able to share the experience with the teams and families.
Shout out to fans who celebrated from home and a big congrats to Travel Fans Mark & SheeShee who got married the weekend of the Thackerville show! They of course played Tears for Fears at their wedding! As it should be done…
Mark and Sheila (Shee Shee is our DelaQ shipmate nickname for her) have been travelling the Travel Fan train for years, so loyal to the band and each other 🙂
Pros
5. Beautiful Accommodations – Minus the indoor smoking in the Thackerville casino, it was a cute place. Huge too! You got your money’s worth! We also found some new places to hang out in Los Angeles – even after having spent several summers there we always discover something cool on each visit.
4. Great time of year to tour – We like the September dates, not too hot, not too cold, just right. Breezy, beautiful weather in every location
3. The setlists were FANTASTIC! No, it wasn’t a new album, but the show selections had a whole new feel. Songs were re-arranged, Lorde’s cover of EWTRTW was a great intro with all due respect to Dance of the Knights of which we enjoyed immensely for two tours. Adding Ready to Start was ultra refreshing coupled with Roland’s dancing and the band really getting into it…and of course the Working Hour stole our souls…unforgettable! #LegendaryHistoricMoment!
Shows are full of surprises!
2. Okay, Roland and Curt were very generous in more ways than one. They were extremely obliging where permissible at their own will. THAT is more than any fan can ask for! Still overwhelmed from that.
So many people incredibly excited to see Roland, Curt + team! Makes our heart beam! 🙂
1. Curt and Roland look great! The entire team is fit as a fiddle and in tip top shape. They were interactive, full of smiles, great fashion and stage presence, birthday shoutouts…and they did a mini-roll call with shout outs to the Kooks and those that travelled a long way to see them. Most of all…they are celebrating over 30 of music. 30 Years…And they still rule the world like a bunch of smokin’ hot badasses! BOOM! They ARE all that! Peace! :drops mic and walks away:
Thanks for reading 😉
(AA)
Follow @tearsforfears for official band news
Follow @papasfans for travel fan info and resources
Follow @CurtSmith and @Rolandtff because it’s good for your health
Roland during ‘Ready to Start’ – “If I was yours…”
#LoveForLadyT
Shoutout to all those who brought their SDO books on tour and waved them around. Big thanks to Roland for signing several!Curt during Mad World #CoolBandFashion #CoolAsEver #KookMeister #LoveForTheLegend #AllOurLoveForROCS
(From the Band) We’re making the stems of Pale Shelter available for you to remix. Submit to our Beatport Remix Contest for a chance to win an official Universal Music Group release & a KORG Kaossilator Pro http://btprt.dj/JofyK9
From Moderator: There is other news to come and when we can share it we will…just waiting on final words, permission(s), etc. Keep Calm and Remix On! This’ll be fun.
We’ve stayed pretty busy while the band prepares the new album and puts together a tour for later this year (tentatively October 2013). One of the fun things about being a 365TFF Travel Fan is that ‘the fun’ does not end on the last day of the tour(s). We keep it going all year round, online, at meetups and so much more…often the band is in tow in one way or another. They see just about everything we do…
Branding the Fans
Our official Travel Fan Tshirts have been a big hit around the globe. FYI: they are not for sale. These shirts are ‘production cost only items’ meaning travel fans and their friends pay for production of the item. We as Travel Fans are not a ‘for profit business’ making money from the band’s image. That’s illegal and rude. We appreciate Curt and Roland too much to engage in that type of behaviour. These shirts were cleared before production and we literally have to use our permission slip before companies will even create anything with the band’s name on it. We are grateful that they don’t allow reproductions.
If you are a travel fan and didn’t get your shirt, message us via the FB message tab (Tears For Fears & Kooks) for info on how to get one sent to your home.
Angie and Kath pose for pictures in the their travel fan tshirts – Location: Snow Hill, Bath UK (England)
~Musical Updates In BandFan Land~
Fan Robert O. and Julian Orzabal(Rolllie Sunshine’s younger brother) have been making music together. You may remember all of the songs that the two have been involved since November 2012 including songs dedicated to various fans. The work never stopped, they’ve got more material. Our moderator Andye explored and shared the recent tracks with fellow fans recently. Listen in:
Review: This is a refreshing change from anything I’ve heard the two of them do up to this point. I’m a big DelaQ fan and my friends and I were moved to tears after hearing Robert’s “Song for Andye” back in December. The lyrics to ‘All Together Now’ are true to life and describe kind of what we all discuss on facebook every day put to a trendy club-like beat. I could easily see this as a background for some sort of fan project or “global cause campaign.” It did get a few replays from me and aside from being family friendly, it’s got that Euro soft-pop feel that works on a number of levels. I like it. It’s cute and catchy.
Review: Dreams is much closer to the spirit of Julian’s past work. I really enjoy this one. Julian has an edgy side but you get his softer, quiet (slightly loving if I may say so) tone on this track. It’s a warm blanket for your soul on a day when you’re just not sure you can keep going in difficult times. Hear that line, “love is a lost memory to alcohol and chemistry…” Omg, what in the world has this person gone through? It’s a powerful song wrapped up in soft and comforting music notes. While I’m usually all about club beats and lively music, I know there is a time and place for pieces like these and that time is now. I’m currently cherishing this one.
*Hear other works by both artists on their facebook pages:
The tour will be here before you know it and so will Curt’s latest album featuring other members of Tears for Fears. It is a musical extravaganza in the works and more pleased we could not be…Like runners in need of water on a hot day, we are thirsty for their music. We love all of the material that the “Bath Boys” are producing and sharing with us. All of the updates, interactions and news have been a blessing.
In other news: Quick shout out to our travel fan team member, Cammie, on getting her MA recently! Even the band put their stamp of approval on that! All praise be to the Higher Power that our travel fan pals in the mid-west part of the states were spared during some tragic tornadoes. Carri, Lisa and Becky are all safe. Please note during bad weather we do ask that all members check-in so we can know you are okay or at least send for help in the event that it is needed. Follow us on Twitter (@papasfans) to interact and stay in touch. And always follow the band (@curtsmith) & (@tearsforfears).
Wishing everyone a great summer season as we perch for travel. It’s all about the band 365 days a year!
The Graduates -Cammie and friend pose for their MBA photo shoot…thanks to the Band for the Graduation love!
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 