If you’re going to see Tears for Fears at Maryhill Winery, you may want to stick around and head over to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Washington. It’s a 3 hour drive so that’s pretty close in our opinion. You can also take advantage of the wine tastings and other cool things going on at this location because the next show isn’t until the 20th. This is the show at which to do a fun meetup.
Time: Show starts at 7:00 pm Gates will open approximately 2 hours before scheduled start. General Admission: $51.50 Reserve Seating: $79.50 Buy Tickets.
Accomodations: This one isn’t not cheap. It’s market rate pricing but it’s close to the venue. It’s called Willow’s Lodge Address: 14580 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072
Phone:(425) 424-3900 – It’s got a great set of holiday packages so you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you’re going to go this far go all out.
Airfare: As mentioned before for this leg of the tour, Delta.com is offering really great rates in the mid to high $300 round trip. Enjoy that!
Meet and Greets: We do not have any travel fan plans for this location though we did at one time. Sadly due to the reschedule of this show, many of our core travel fan team members had to bail. Those tickets were sold to locals from what we understand. This show is also close to sold out on Ticketmaster. Third party tickets are available but make sure you can return them/buy the show insurance as we instructed during the reschedule notice. If anything changes in regards to hanging out and partying we’ll tweet about it using the hashtag #RollCall.
*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 anticipation, fans sitting on the edge of their seats, glaring into computers and mobile devices, watching the calendar, making conjectures as to what adventure Mr. Soloman will get himself into… and what a name… Soloman. A noble name meaning, “peaceful, perfect and one who recompenses.” Will we see that type of character in Roland’s fictional literary friend? Will his adventures with Dr. Sparks make him a new person? It’ll all be answered in ‘Sex Drugs & Opera: There’s Life After Rock N’ Roll by the Good Sir Orzabal himself.
Writing a Book is Tough!
I remember writing my first book. The inspiration for it came during a short residency in California (of course). I had just finished listening to a media leader who was involved with creating one of the most popular music based TV programs at the time. I wondered if he’d ever collab with Roland and Curt. That next season Tears For Fears’ music was indeed featured in one of his shows. I was further inspired and took it as a sign to complete the book at all costs. The painstaking process of writing the book was the most bittersweet agony I’ve ever gone through. Knowing what it takes to get a book published, to put one’s heart and soul into a piece of literature makes me more than eager to read Roland’s work. This is a huge moment for fans…many of whom knew he was writing one (I think we first heard about it post ELAHE tour) but we didn’t want to be pests and beg for a sneak peek or too much info. “Let him finish it…leave him alone…” was the mantra among us for quite a while. Then more tours surfaced …but no mention of the book.
Autographed set lists made into art (Brasil Fan Team). Contact Marcio for info.
We questioned it, what was he writing about? Did he scrap it altogether? What else did he just toss away? Are there pages of music and songs too? It’s a known fact among fans that Tears for Fears b-sides are often (if not more) as outstanding as the works that are published on each album. I mean look at Saturnine Martial Lunatic, if that’s not gold then what is? Not to mention the beloved ‘Tomcats Screaming Outside.’ Listening to either one is a very moving and euphoric experience to say the least. So imagine what we’re about to get in a BOOK! It’s Roland’s mind, his thoughts, his imagination…we’re gonna “go there” with him and sink ourselves into “his world.” It’s the rock literature for which we’ve been waiting…it’s almost here!
Sneak peek?! Seriously? Yes, we’re asking for this to get activated on Amazon.
In honour of this wonderful occasion our Tears and Kooks Intl Fan Club is giving away an amazon download to one of the @papasfans Twitter followers or one who is following @tearsforfears. Our fan account focuses on all aspects of the band’s published work, from tweets to anything they tell us that’s allowed to be put in writing. Originating from a charity project that Good Man Curt Smith was involved in to help the nation of Haiti, we continued with gratitude to create a comfortable hub of ‘band fan info.’ We love to tweet about Tears for Fears and related material, connect with other fans and conduct meetups and other things with the band’s approval. They’ve been exceptionally kind about our activities. We’re always about giving back and that’s why we’re offering a #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal kindle download to a fortunate follower of either account.
Rules:
Tweet us (@papasfans) the hashtag #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal (along with any short, fun message or memory of your Tears for Fears fandom)
We’ll assign a number to each tweet, then pick a number at random on Tuesday night. The winner will be tweeted on Wednesday – the 26th of March.
An amazon code will be emailed to the winner so that they may complete their download.
*You must be following @tearsforfears or @papasfans on Twitter in order to qualify; it’s only fair as there are many interactive fans and we want to honour those who thoroughly support the band (and are kind to fellow fans) to the best of their ability.
*Please actually own a kindle device. We’ll have other prizes (we trust) so you can possibly win again if you don’t have one.
That’s all from band fan land today… Even if you’ve already pre-ordered a copy know that the Good Sir seems mighty happy with the hashtag #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal so tweet it proud, tweet it now!
TFF’s Charlton after the show with Liz, Brigitte and Judi
Tears for Fears meetups are back in full swing in so many parts of the world. These mini-events are conducted by regional clubs as a way to keep everyone in touch while enjoying the energy of the band’s music. They are attended by 3 to 35 individuals at a local bar, restaurants, clubhouses, hotel ballrooms and sometimes right after a show. Back in 2012, TFF’s Charlton came by… how cool is that? At some events, DJs are hired to play and spin remixes of songs and in some cases new musicians inspired by the band are on hand with a guitar ready to go with their own salutes to the group. Meetups can take on the form of small conferences which usually take place around shows i.e. Vegas/Hendersonville. These gatherings can sometimes last for days with members getting to know each other rather well.
A recent MeetUp was in Sorocaba Brasil at Back Road Bar. It was attendeed by Tears For Fears superfans Gregori Lisboa, Ju Vannucchi, Carolina Mantovanni, Nilda de Fatima Amorim, Claudia Beneli, Alexandre Chagas, Glaucia Souto, Giovani Marcello, Silvia Vannucchi, Bruno Ernandes and others. One of the members was responsible for the banner and what a beautiful job they did with it. Look at that!
Sorocaba Meetup (Brasil)Hanging out at Back Road Bar -Brasil TFF Meetup
Much like the dedicated travelling fans, Brasil’s fans i.e. our fan team lead Marcio Campos and his Sorocaba pal Gregori Lisboa, are known for their awesome love and energy for Tears For Fears. Ask just about any Brasilian who lived in the country during the 80s and 90s…they’ll tell you how much the country loves the band. Now, those fans have families of their own (i.e. Marcio), They’ve brought their children along for the fun, turning TFF’s concerts into a family affair.
Our handsome pal Gregori shows us some souvenirs
At the Sorocaba meetup, members brought souveniers and other cool things to swap and share with each other. Some of the other meetups featured sing-a-longs, DVD screenings of the band’s past concerts and movies in which their music has been used i.e. Weird Science. A few from the stateside team watched The Private Public, a film in which Curt smith played the part of a University Professor, at an Atlanta Clubhouse tea room in late 2010. There are plans to put a few meetups together in honour of Curt’s next appearance on the USA network’s popular television show Psych.
If you and your fellow Tears For Fears fan pals are getting together soon let us know. We look forward to more gatherings, larger conferences, more shows and music from those inspired by the band and of course the band themselves!
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. ❤
While in transit to Sunset Station where the next set of meetups and show were to be (Carri and the team headed on over to the SF show) I got a distressed phone call. It was Carri…in transit to San Francisco. She explained that she couldn’t find her show tickets. I had feared this being the case since the day she got the tickets. We bought several sets for the team and now ours were in jeopardy. I had extra tickets but I knew others wanted to buy some of them and I knew our show experience should match that of Orange County…and that meant we needed her particular seats. I told her she would most likely have to fly back to LA and help Kai search her home for the tickets. We hung up the phone. I felt sick.
Then I remembered Curt sending me a message that I left my tickets with them. I told him those were just receipts and I was so sorry that such debris was left in the box (good heavens, what else had I left behind? A tear soaked tissue? I dreaded to think). But at that moment, I realised he was talking about Carri’s tickets. I began to shake and tremble dialing Carri’s number…I’d have to explain to her that Curt had the tickets and she didn’t leave them in LA. I braced myself because I knew she was gonna freak out…and she did. I warned the driver that it was about to get loud in the backsteat. Speaking loudly, with long drawn out OMGs, Carri said she kept telling herself to be careful with the tickets but must have forgotten to separate them from her stuff and the band. I replied to Curt re-confirming that he was right (egg all over on my face, spilling onto my lap). I said something like, “Good man, I’m sorry, those are Carri’s tickets. She got nervous…blahh blaah…” even the driver (who is also a fan) was shakng his head in shame for me. Wow, how embarrassing…
I checked into the hotel and casino and started setting up electronics, working remotely on media assignments and juggled fan logistics for those who were coming in early. I was stressed but I knew I had to stay focused. Captain Julian and Alisa (Scurvy Dawg) of WildWorld were coming in and I (Alice, the Salty Dawg) wanted to be ready to roll for whatever was needed. I took a long walk through the hotel and checked out the pool area. I couldn’t tell if the tiny white chairs were set up for the show or something else. The set up didn’t look the same.
Relieved and embarrassed, Carri was able to retrieve the tickets from the TFF team later that night (I know lady Tanya was uber helpful in that…and I heard Janice Whaley was too? Thanks!!) Apparently, it had become quite a conversation piece among the band. We were mortified and came to an agreement that “I” will handle all logistics under all circumstances going forward.
With that taken care, I went to bed in my new Turquoise Peacock blue TFF shirt and drumstick (I couldn’t find the Captain and didn’t think it was appropriate to hunt for him). Just before that, I lept in the bathtub, swim suit and all (it was new, the pool was closed and I wanted to try it out) then fell asleep with band merch all around me. Silly? Ridiculous? Pft, ain’t no shame in my game, I’ll do whatever it takes to get to sleep after a stressful day like that.
Friday-Monday -The Orzabal Ship comes to life w/Kooks &Shipmates in tow
Friday…
I got up at like 8am, ran downstairs checking every social media platform, my phone, everything… Fans friends had sent me a ton of material and pictures from San Fran. I was clicking this and saving that. Still Josh Debord’s material won out over all and Jeanie Paloma was spot on it making sure we got his contact info.
I went to the pool area and the concert venue to see how everything was set up for the show. The tiny white chairs from the night before were still there. I did not like this. It looked uncomfy and I was sure we’d be miserable and too close together in the blazing heat of the day.
It got hotter as I stood there. I went over to the staff and got a Cabana because I knew we’d never manage in that heat. Traci showed up, then SheeShee and Mark…and many others…I started drinking…slowly floating into this sleepy state of no-man’s land. I realised, Andye and heat don’t mix…When Mark and SheeShee left I started to pass out…I laid down…and Traci was talking…I heard only 10% of it…and then the next thing I knew I was having a reaction… Not causing a scene I get up…and I ask Traci to follow me in case I need to be rolled to the door. It’s about 2:30pm. I’m headed back upstairs to get benadryl…cause Im looking like a balloon. Then Traci stops talking…I think I hear my name…I’m thinking what the hell is the hold up? I turn around…and I see… CAPTAIN JULIAN ORZABAL… and there I was looking…like…a balloon. Soaked and unhealthy…I start to gasp…
Now we adopted a no scream policy two years ago and I’ve been good if not damn near perfect at not passing out or superfan screaming when I see the band or their families close by. In fact my blood pressure drops and I’m quite civil and cheery when they are around. But not this time. I let out a loud gassppppp and went slowly to the ground. In my head I’m screaming, It’s Hiiiiimmmmmmm. But sanity kicked in and I quickly stood up and shook his hand as if we were about to have a business meeting. It was a lovely encounter.
Mortified and angry with myself for drinking in the heat, I contemplated going to the hospital because I was THAT sick and looking nothing like my online photos past or present. But I scooped myself together and went back for what turned into Cabana nights…
We hung out all afternoon. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! More people arrived…Carri and the San Fran crew made it safely to the hotel and the SS DelaQ party began. I don’t know what more to say. I was fairly speechless…(there’s a video of all the hugging going on at the lower end of the page). We stayed until the pool closed and then it was time for the night time shenanigans.
Carri and the Captain…
We went upstairs to get ready for dinner. I told Carri to just please bear with me because at some point I knew I was gonna cry from gratitude. Didn’t take long, I fell on the bed and wailed…and wailed..and wailed some more. I have admired Captain since I was 14yrs old. Why? That’s between me and G-d. To finally see him…was more than I could bear…I had to cry and get it over with. My ultimate wishes had been fulfilled. Just as KMK asked us back in 2004 on the official TFF fan site, “What would you do with 24 hours and the band…” I said…a resort and a show.. and there I was…living the dream.
Then we went to dinner with Deb and team in tow. Captain went with Rise, Alisa and other pirates to sweet Lady Liz’. We tried to stay up late but I was still sick. Back in the room Carri and I sat in bed looking at each other, Jamie’s drum stick in my hand. Hers on the suitcase. We could barely speak…just staring at videos from San Francisco, watching Pale Shelter and all the songs from Josh and other fans…anticipating the next 24 hours.
Tears For Fears Fan Club Cabana Days 8am and waiting…
Day of the show. I’m nervous. Where are Roland and Curt? Are they already in the hotel?I get a note from the Captain asking what’s on the agenda for the day. I say, “drinking and cabana time” to be funny. Then I went downstairs to camp out in the cabanas and swimming pool. And that’s exactly what we did. The Cabana teams brought us drinks til 3pm (instead of strait shots mine were mixed with various berries of this, that and the other to prevent any repeats of yesterday). Then Carri and I headed upstairs and started getting ready. Poor Carri didn’t eat a thing. She couldn’t find her contacts and accidentally ate my previously chewed bagels because she couldn’t see hers. I let her deal with her blindness while I pulled out my jewelry and turned on “Floating Down a River” so I wouldn’t get verklempt and forget the words. Cause, remember Curt caught me slip up in Orange County… I was determined to keep that from happening again.
DelaQ shipmates
We made plans to do a group picture that night around 5pm. People trickled in off and on and the location changed about 4 times. Some came upstairs like Becky (Texas) Candra (New York) Yyvette (Armenia) and her husband. I wasn’t much of a host as I was sidetracked when Curt posted a picture of himself in the Keep Calm and Carry On shirt, a slogan I had been tweeting all day to remedy the confusion and panic of the ticket situation.
Sheila/SheeShee was sweet and kept a group together so at 7pm and we all got crazy shots with Captain Julian. Then we rushed off to the show. Rushing and forgetting my infamous yellow fan, the incredible Captain J comes running over to me and gives it to me. Weeks after that you could see pictures of Julian floating around the internet with that fan in his hand. It’s mine. LOL.
Merch!
Merch table was sweet. More items and brightly coloured tshirts. More waterbottles and Carina Round souveniers. You name it, they had it, we bought it…there are very few items left.
!!!The Show!!!
Carina Round didn’t get upset at the audience and was well received.We sat extremely warm and snug in those seats connected together. We were careful because if you moved too much you really pissed off the person next to you. I think my arse fit just perfect which was a relief.
The show started big and bold, Curt right in our faces, Roland to his left just as gorgeous as the day is long and the supporting team of talented guys Charlton, Jamie and CJV blaring on their instruments. Life rarely gets any better than this. EWTRTW and the whole set from before was played… and like clockwork we danced, moved, sang and hit the notes right on time with the band. There were jokes…about dolls. Now, anyone that follows me on Facebook knows I love dolls and have wanted some Tears for Fears dolls since I began collecting in my youth. Roland said that one fortunate person would find a set of dolls and could go backstage afterwards. Now, I believed it. I looked under my chair but Roland then said, “wait, looks like we have a winner in the back…see us after the show.” I didn’t cry but I was effin pissed. I wanted a doll and I wanted to see Roland again. Just for a few minutes.
Gorgeous!
More songs played and then afterwards Roland talked about his brother being there and we all screamed “We love you Julian.” Then he said he too had a doll under the seat…that’s when I realised it was the Orzabal humour, the same humour that let me know there would be no garage sale on the lawn of the guys’ homes and I couldn’t purchase the toaster, kitchen wear or socks…yeah, that was me. Now you know. I’m so gullible.
The wind blew a little but Curt’s shirt was wet as was my salwar kameez. I fanned Carri so she wouldn’t pass out, we sipped water between songs as if we were onstage with the band (We need to work on that, come on guys, let us sing along onstage one day in a clap section on Head Over Heels. We’ll clean up good! we’ll practice). I couldn’t get enough of that night despite the heat. Who cares how hot it was…we were with Tears for Fears baby!! Gold!!! It was Gold!!!
After the show we interviewed an gentleman named Graham (originally from Birmingham England) who was escorting his family on the tour. He has been in the US for 33years. He said he played Tears For Fears latest ELAHE for his neighbourhood and his family. They became obsessed with it and travelled from Ohio to the show. We have video of some of the conversation and will try to get it online soon.
TFF’s Charlton after the show with Liz, Brigitte and Judi
That night we hung out in the lobby til the wee hours of the night. I think we drank and planned future meetups, fan conferences, etc til Julian went to bed. Then we followed (not with him but to our own beds)… Although I’m sure many of us were up for a big slumber party and I’d have gladly hosted the whole crew in my suite…blankets and a shot of baileys for everyone!!
Sunday was recovery day…back to the Cabana, more drinks, snuggling with each other til we nearly cried. Roland and Curt came downstairs and were on their way out. Then Alisa comes walking out to the Cabana and tells me to shake her hand. She smells lovely and I’m trying to figure out what it is she’s wearing. She says, “I just shook Roland’s hand.” Ahhh so that’s what it was, Roland’s cologne!! The cologne of which we’ve been trying to get the name of for over 3 years!! I start wiping it on me. Then she tells me the story of how she nearly knocked him down because she ran in the door to go get her children. She was scanning the room in a rush and almost ran right past him til she caught herself just before twisting into an upright angle to shake his hand unconsciously. Again, we try not to bother him so not even a handshake is gonna be initiated from us and that’s an order. He shook her hand and she gave up the chase for the kids who by chance came out with me. Alisa can tell the story better than I can. Go on and ask her.
Captain J, Alisa and Charlton, photo taken by Judi
I swear from 10am til 4pm we just hugged and sat in the Cabana and drank. Carolyn drank the Captain’s beer (by accident she says). Deb and I started crying (not necessarily b/c Captain’s beer got nabbed -we made sure he got replacement…poor Lady Carolyn has been deemed the mead nabber since the day). Deb had a great excuse for our tears; she claimed we had a case of the vapors! Then we sang EWTRTW together. I messed it up and we had to start all over again.
Then it got too hot. Time for a pizza party in my suite! Then off to the strip to take care of business…yes, the shipmates running around down the boulevard making it do what it do…hilarious…and hot. I was of no help (I seriously felt useless), melting but majestic running around with the team. We got done late in the night and headed back to the casino to get ready for Monday plane rides. I wanted to die. Why did this have to end?
I scored a cool Hello Kitty doll while walking with Julian. I cherish it. It’s a band cat. And that cat and I curled up in our cushy Delta seats. When I got back, I gave myself a week to unpack slowly, then donated everything to charity as it was Eid, and I perched, sitting ready for the next one…which I trust is in 2014. Plenty of time for us to get ourselves together.
We all sat online with TFF Japan fans and The Philippines’ TFF Kooks. We slowly got back to eating normal and buying luxuries like nail polish. And we’re just waiting patiently cause nothing else matters but G-d and the band right? This is our family and we’re sticking with it.
ShipShenanigans …everyone’s grabbing hugs from the Captain…SheeShee shure got hers! high five!One of our absolute favourite pictures! Captain Julian and shimmering shipmate Lisa!Captain Julian makes a hot night cool! #VegasBabyPosing with the peeps…we were so calm and behaved…Then it just got all out of hand… Shipmate Shenanigans… Becky makes a bold move and sits on the Captain’s Lap. 😉 ::giggles:: now we’re having too much fun.Band FashionInternational superfans and shipmates with the Captain
And we all lived happily ever after…
(snippet from Pale Shelter, Cheers Carri! &Thanks!)
Duran Duran Revisits Atlanta
It’s been about a year since we were graced with Duran Duran’s outstanding show. They are reportedly back in the studio preparing another album. But before we dance into the future, let’s look at their amazing past tour and particulary the stop in Atlanta as that’s what I’m most familiar with.
Ingrid and her travel pal are one of the many faces you’ll always see up front, true Duran Duran VIPs #DDTravelFans
Travelling Fans
Duran Duran have travel fans just like Tears for Fears. They are a group of VIPs that are registered with the official fanclub and attend performances all over the world. They are an impressive group of people. We were fortunate to get in touch with a few of them, mainly Ingrid and she is just a delight! She and several of the team have been featured countless times on the Duran Duran page and at the Atlanta show were allowed to announce the band. It was quite a moment in superfanland.
I arrived early as always. It had been raining as it always seems to do on concert days in Atlanta. We get all four seasons for sure when certain bands come to town. There we were humid and damp from the elements, people in plastic ponchos covering gorgeous outfits that were carefully put together celebrating milestones in the band’s history. I stood for what may have been an hour in the merch line. Soon enough I got several things…a leather manpurse, Tshirt and bunch of other things. I was grateful for it, caught up in the fandom.
I bought my ticket to the show months in advance through the fanclub. Because I didn’t choose the VIP option I was only able to get as close as “the stage door” as my seat. It’s a great seat but I would have loved to be in box seat or the first 3 rows. I mean, when you know all the songs, all the words, practice dance moves and the like you want to be near the mike, right? So there I was next to the stage door. My friends teasing me that I’m probably going to get to sing. Duran Duran don’t know me THAT well to let that happen, again, this isn’t Tears For Fears, these are their friends. I continued tweeting and the band’s social media group RT’d everything. It was amazing. Something about getting an RT and knowing “they know you’re alive and supporting” is just everything and more.
MDNR opened for them and I thought she was great. She had upbeat lyrics, dressed in fun fashion and her songs were very club-like and modern 80s meets the Millennial. I know some were not pleased but for me she was stellar! She interacted with the crowd while playing instruments, a sort of one-woman show. She was just…FUN! After she left the video began…a long intro to what would be one of the best shows in ATL that year (with all due respect to the B52s at the Fox earlier that summer). The video was of a woman, dressed beautifully in Victorian and Rococo era style dress and hair…running for miles. She just kept running…and that drove people insane. They weren’t sure when it was going to end and the man beside me put on quite a show of his disapproval to the point his girlfriend became embarrassed and asked him to sit down. I think he rather liked the attention. I admit, that video was long and I had wished someone would have come out onto the stage running around in Roccoco attire to sort of bring life to that. But I liked it nonetheless…
We sing with passion at these shows!
Then with a burst of energy Duran Duran came to the stage, playing the set list just as we expected including songs that everyone had requested. The DD social media crew was on it like lighting. I tweeted, “The show is now Live. Duran Duran starts now” along with a picture of the audience from where I was standing and dancing. They quickly retweeted it. There were tributes to issues that fans were going through and several times Simon Le Bon, the Great came over to our side and paid some real attention to us, grabbing Anna’s hand the whole way. The subtle cues and recognitioin didn’t go unnoticed, thank you kind Sir, much appreciated!
Special Moments
Again, one of the travel fans from Los Angeles (Ingrid’s travel pal) on the front row was given the microphone to announce a few fun things the band asked of her. Simon said, “We’ve never met have we?” Which was a lie, any travel fan and dedicated fan knew who she was. She’d been at every show. In fact, she is so well known she’s got as much of a fan club of her own. These girls are hot! They look amazing and always perch up front like loyalist. It’s something to be proud of, I’m certainly proud of them.
“Leave the Light On” was played for a fan who had either died or gone missing during the tour. It’s clear that the band pays attention and checks their twitter feed. This was precious and very important, and again, appreciated.
Also, the band said they’d been to Atlanta more times than any other city on this particular tour. It’s true, they’d been there 4 times and with every show the crowds got bigger and bigger to the point it was sold out this time. We can’t wait for them to come back.
This concert was even better than the one from Oct 2011, if you can believe that. I had a great time. Danced like a soldier of sound and people around me joyfully made note that I didn’t stop singing and dancing… and I didn’t. I held it the whole time, choreography and all that jazz with every song. I made a lot of new friends…many of whom danced along with me.
So how are they a sister fan club to Tears for Fears?
If you have to ask at this point, you’re gonna get your band fan card revoked. LOL. JT and Curt are friends (remember the infamous twitter pictures?). There was a joint tour at one point and there remains a comraderie so we are happily tagging along with their fans as well, supportive and showing up much like DD fans do at TFF shows. We’re sister fans.
So, both bands have new material underway, looks like 2014 is gonna be bananas!!! Bring it!! 🙂
Tears for Fears Travel Fans 