*This post is dedicated to Gwen who has just gone above and beyond for SO MANY fans this tour. We envision a future fun photo with she and Mr. Orzabal. Picture them in a big laugh together post-show. We can see it! Thank you, Gwen!! You’re forever a hero!
Cutie Pies in the Crowd!
The reception for Alison Moyet throughout the tour has been terrific as expected! She’s our queen and we love her! She owns that stage! We’re going to miss her when this tour ends…and several of us are just hoping this is not the end of the Moyet x TFF connection. WE WANT MORE!! Big thanks to Gwen for supplying all the photos and contributions!
And she’s so frikkin nice!! Don’t take our word for it…look at this!
Always a fabulous time seeing @AlisonMoyet live, but what has really made my night, is that she has liked every single one of my tweets and replies about tonight’s show. Every. Single. One. 1/2
The Footy?! We’re going to be asking about this a lot… #Tease
“I don’t know how it’s possible but you all get better with each show! That was #6 of this tour for me tonight, just incredible. Thank you for not laughing ‘too’ hard at us singing and dancing along 😜🌻@tearsforfears @charltonpettus @jameswollam See you at the next one!” – Superfan Gwen C.
This is one for the books! We will not ever forget this tour! We have certainly LIVED!! Totally steeped in gratitude right now for this amazing music and wonderful experience for so many in the UK! – TFF Travel Fan Team #Tour2019
Tonight’s bonus is this review: Good, bad? Thoughts? We are known to let a writer have it every now and again if they dare focus on superficial things… tell us your thoughts on this review:
This post is dedicated to Andy B – loyal fan who waited nearly 35 years to see the band and Shaun Smith, a great world traveller who also happens to be the Good Man’s brother! We’re so happy for their contributions tonight to the travel fan site, allowing us to share their experience with the world!
And we do mean the world! As of today, this site has seen almost 20,000 visits per year since 2014. We joined this labour of love in 2004 and started going live publically in 2011 with the travel portion on this platform. Big thanks to all who contribute and share. This is all about featuring the absolutely fantastic moments of fans on tour and the great moments with the band…and there are plenty. Let’s dive into tonight’s show.
@curtsmith, you tweeted me happy birthday on my 15th, now I’m 21 and FINALLY got to see you live tonight, thank you and @rolandtff for the tunes, see you at Blenheim Palace… Play The Working Hour and I might just die 🙇♀️ #TearsForFears @tearsforfears – Maggie
@curtsmith, you tweeted me happy birthday on my 15th, now I'm 21 and FINALLY got to see you live tonight, thank you and @rolandtff for the tunes, see you at Blenheim Palace… Play The Working Hour and I might just die 🙇♀️ #TearsForFears@tearsforfears
Good Man Mr. Smith always tweets out his thank you! We love this!
“Thank you Bournemouth you warm & wonderful people. Now I understand why Eddie Howe likes it here 😍” -Curt Smith
Our bonus tonight is from Cindy P. She shares the Liverpool review which is thankfully focused on their music! The previous writers who seemed to be aching for bromance with Curt and Roland as if the band’s show was a Tinder swipe are completely absent here! We rejoice! Read Here
We’ll add more videos as they are received! Thank you for reading, sharing and enjoying! See you at the show!
-Tears for Fears Travel Fan Team
“I have had the unbelievable opportunity to play some amazing shows and places in my career, but tonight definitely is one of the highlights of my journey…. O2 Arena, London, England.” – Jamie Wollam (aka Drummer Genius)
Tweet of the day was this beauty from ‘All on the Board’
This was a really big deal. The O2 sold out! Capacity is close to 20,000. There was literally no extra space in this entire venue – every seat was purchased and or occupied. Tonight solidified the fact that Tears for Fears are indeed one of the top bands of all times. Their work and ability is timeless. Their message eternal!
Get a better scope of the space with Kadelbach’s video.
One of our favourite moments during any show is the proximity of Curt and Roland. Don’t ask us why. It’s something about these two angelic beings getting close together that excites us on a whole other level! Big thanks to Mr. Ibarra for this share!
If you can’t wait until you get to a show then consider buying early from the merch store online http://www.tearsforfears.com. Items are arriving pretty quick.
Roland first began handing the microphone down into the audience in 2011 at the Wiltern. He’s continued the tradition quite kindly. Here he is in action!
We try to add in a bit of a bonus including reviews. Here’s one from ES Insider featuring Roland’s thoughts on touring.
Let’s get straight to the point…they played Suffer the Children. Now, a few nights ago we posted a video from the In My Minds Eye treasure box. That video is a full show of The Hurting plus two songs from SFTBC. And no one in YEARS has heard that song live…until today. The internet lit up!
And MVP Darren H got an audio recording of it. He wanted badly to make sure he didn’t break the rules so he didn’t hold his phone up. Mad respect for this!
Gwen got a copy as well. Tilt your head so you can see it…
This post is dedicated to Andrew W. He has been loyal and he shows up! Here he is with Drummer Genius Jamie Wollam 🙂
Big thanks to all the Tears for Fears Travel Fans who are modestly travelling alongside the band, zipping in and out of shows. Some are working and still finding a way to make it to shows. You are troopers! Much love to you from your fellow fans! Reach out if you need anything! We’re on standby.
*Moderator’s Thoughts
To underestimate the intuition of Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal is foolish. These two didn’t dive into the deep – they set up shop in that space and are truly ruling the world with some REAL TALK! These two know stuff…a lot of stuff. They are walking third eyes. They not only “know” stuff that’ll not only make you think but will slam your arse down on the curb or have you laid out on the sidewalk …wait for it…shook af!
#ILYBIL – is almost like a spiral down into the rabbit warren. The video speaks volumes without saying too much or even changing scenes. It’s all in that bar and a back room with insightful characters. It looks to touch on the dilemma of the Twin Flame concept. Also, you’ve got the cute mature couple who are enjoying their life in fashion, the JFashionista in the Tokyo Street capris and captivating spectacles casually minding her own business but you know she has all the answers as she’s seen it all before, the love interest to whom the main character clearly can’t commit because well…there’s a number of scenarios here. We don’t see any type of drug or addiction here…it looks like complications from ASD. Then there’s the lovely bartender who grows a third eye and we can only again suspect that it can be from a number of perception issues. Perception is one of the key themes of this video and it is brilliantly done. For me, it’s like looking at the answer to some serious situations occurring in my “waking life.” After speaking to so many other fans they too can resonate which speaks to the power of the band’s ability to do this on a massive level!
There is so much going on with only a whisper of the Good Man Smith and Sir Orzabal in a promotional frame. For me personally, the story hits home in regards to people so caught up in self-absorption they don’t even realise it or are inconsiderate to those their self-harm actually hurts. They may be medicating for legitimate purposes but they are killing everyone else emotionally as they attempt to live. It also speaks to the existence of people who seem to get in their own way – I actually met someone like that…wait for it…on the 5th of November long before this song was released. I have the proof. Not to mention that the dance the couple engage in has a level change that is unique to a particular partner dance from my culture – again, I’m just shook! This whole video and its messaging has eerily and yet comfortingly (probably not a word) hit home for me in a way that makes me feel we are all spiritually connected more than any of us could ever comprehend. It’s like looking at a scene from my life from the past few years.
Each time I look at it, I cry, it’s hard to watch because it just gets in your head and touches the core. Everyone I spoke to locally and online says it is so relatable it’s jarring…again we are all spiritually connected and can resonate with these scenes.
What does this video say to you, do for you, make you feel?! These are just two songs from the coming album…TWO…brace yourselves guys…these upcoming concerts following the release of the album are gonna look and FEEL VERY DIFFERENT. Be ready to set up shop in the deep…they have turned that BIG CHAIR into a chariot ride into some mind blowing surreal situations by which many of us shall be touched. Gonna be a powerful and emotional clap section at these shows…
Now, we can’t deny this video is still unavailable to many stateside and that is excruciating and it feels rude even if it isn’t or directly tied to negligence on anyone’s part. So, Gwen – a wonderful and generous fan who stays in touch and continues her TFF Travel Fan excursions this coming year during tour 2018 – has provided this link that allows stateside fans to view it with ease. She is this month’s Travel Fan MVP!
Again, discuss, cry, chat, shout and let it all out…this album is about to take us places. Embroidered handkerchiefs will be available…
Thanks for reading,
AA, Tears For Fears Travel Fan Moderator
Several people made long hauls across the country to go to this show specifically because the venue is just so awesome! Though dedicated strictly to Carrie on Twitter, we appreciate everyone that wrote in and road tripped literally to be there. Some left us photos in our FB inbox. Please send them to our email papasfans at gmail so we can feature you respectfully in this blog with all credit to you and your work. 🙂 FB doesn’t permit photo downloads from the FB inbox.
Big thanks to Carrie for keeping in touch throughout her way to the show!
Make a new friend today. Follow, subscribe and like the contributions of your fellow fans! 🙂 Don’t forget to follow the band and bewear of impostor accounts pretending to be Roland and Curt. Their official handles are @curtsmith @rolandtff and @tearsforfears
This show didn’t go as planned for a few fans. Lael will have the full report. There were rumours of people sneaking in and seat hopping in the VIP section. Somehow one fan lost her seat. Not sure how that happened and we’re awaiting the details. But the biggest culprit was the rain…monsoon rain, their words, not ours. Really sad to hear that some fans decided to leave due to the poor weather conditions. It was one of those kind of nights…BUT THE SHOW WAS GOOD!
Kudos to Lael and any others that worked really hard to get tickets for as many as possible for this show. There were lots of tickets still available a week before the concert so hopefully all who wanted to be there did get tickets despite the reported half-hour delay due to the lightning and terrible weather.
For those that had to leave early and miss Tears entirely…let’s have that conversation and work on getting you a better deal in the future and perhaps at a different venue. Outdoor shows in the summer are just scary and unpredictable (and part of the reason MANY on our team sat this one out – we knew it was too risky).
But the band marched on! The reports coming in say the band did great and trudged through, Roland joked about Wellingtons and they did that show with no complaints. Here’s a bit of video and some photos.
We’ll update this once we get the full story on what happened…
Thanks to Lael, the assistants for those that made special journeys to fulfill dreams of seeing the band and so many more! Very sorry about the rain and the tough conditions. Let’s do over!
Tears For Fears Travel Fan Blog Write – Up: Glendale (Phoenix) – Gila River Arena by Lael, TFF Travel Fan Team
Kenya and I arrived just on time, as the gridlock in Phoenix rush hour traffic was much worse than I thought it would be, especially considering we had use of the carpool lane. Opening act Allen Stone started earlier than 7:00 pm, and Tears For Fears took the stage at 7:15 pm. We made it to our seats on the floor just as TFF were taking the stage!! They sounded wonderful, and kept the volume at a nice level, considering the size of this arena.
Jamie Wollam was hitting on all cylinders, and his style of drumming just seems to suit larger venues. Actually, I feel that arenas bring out the optimum performance in TFF as well, due to the sing – along anthem style of their biggest hits. Other hits like “ELAHE” also shimmered in this setting.
I ended up dancing and singing, and remained standing during all of TFF’s set, even though in parts it felt kind of strange, almost a little inappropriate, as most of the audience was sitting down in the middle of their set. I loved the lighting effects that TFF had in place for “Change”, as these effects brought the song’s clean sound and pointed message to life.
The highlight of their concert was Kenya receiving a shout – out from Curt Smith, on the intro to “Shout”. I will never forget the look on Kenya’s face when she realized he had said her name! It took both of us a couple moments to realize it, as Curt Smith said her name in his adorable British accent, and she just did not believe it at first. I then turned to her, “Yeah, he said your name…”
Here are some of the amazing songs featured in Phoenix show, posted by fellow fans that were present. Be sure to like their YT channels and connect!
Gorgeous Valerie and her amazing friends/fellow fans!
The screams at the start are the best part…hear the love!
After the concert, we met up with Valerie Matherne and her cousin, Deanna. We ended up going to this nondescript taco bar at Westgate, and had non – alcoholic drinks, as the kitchen had already closed and it was getting late, with long drives still ahead…
-TFF Travel Fan, Lael
Thanks for watching! Be sure to like each channel, subscribe and say hello!
We had a great show in New Jersey back in 2014 in Red Bank. For that reason I have a great memory of that state, not to mention the incredible dinner that followed and all the great people we met. So many amazing loyalist from New York came down to visit as well. Our core team wasn’t able to make that trek across country this year but plenty of additional dedicated fans did! Check out these great videos and pictures! Big shoutout to Deb Charlesworth who captured some cool pictures to add to her collection. She shared these three with us!
It was packed in the Prudential Center!! Yes!!! Shout out to Pepe Cuh!!! Nice captures! EWTRTW
SOL
Change
Creep
Head over Heels
Don’t ya love it when the band does a real encore despite this being a shared tour? SHOUT
Were you there? Let us know!
Follow along @tearsforfears @curtsmith @rolandtff (@papasfans for fan fun and chatter)
Photo by Karon from Asheville, best show partner of the evening!! Love that lady!! She and her husband were so supportive!
*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
Adam has been a fan since ’85!
Meg and T have been fans since their toddler years!
“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.
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?
Thank you Atlanta you were the Narwhal's nightie & exceedingly charming in that warm peach cobbler Georgia way ❤
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!
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 