*Dedicated to Steven Jacobson who made his Twitter debut with a post to Tears for Fears and the Travel Fans. That was pretty darn cool! Thank you!

Our emotional & exciting journey to Tulsa for Tears for Fears began at 12:47am on Tuesday morning, the day of show. I rested just enough to be coherent and not miss our 10am lobby roll call. At 10:25am we rush off with our amazing pal Bobby, a long time TFF Travel Fan that we met through Captain Julian Orzabal. He lead the way. G-d bless Bobby, he gave us the VIP treatment in his incredible vehicle. His son Roland was by our side and kept us laughing and upbeat as we did one last check to make sure we had our tickets, etc. before heading to this next city (Tulsa) on the tour… it was broadcast on Persicope. (pardon this one-off device to device recording).

Living the Dream As we drove, I thought about the unexpected band chat we learned we were to attend that same day. The excitement of that plus feelings from the Kansas City, MO show just began to pour. We became overwhelmed by our experiences with the band over the past 3 decades (which is 95% of my life – #ProudTFFToddlerFan – I still visit the place where I first heard them on the way to school). And then Bobby says, “This reminds me of the winter of ’85…”

On the way

Road Warrior Realities
We finally arrived at the hotel after barely getting through some time consuming traffic. Making the transformation from road warrier to concert attendee is not something that can be done in an hour’s time. You want to bring your best self in the presence of the band…whether you’re seeing them up close for a chat or within arm’s length at the stage. I wasn’t able to accomplish that this time around. The weather was humid, it’s raining and we have a band chat to attend… and I’m just not ready. Not to mention I had been trying all morning to get a last headcount on which fans were coming so we could share this opportunity in an organised fashion. We’re reaching out to see who was on the way so we could, calmly and appropriately give some hugs and appreciation to this extraordinary team of musicians that we have adored forever and a day… and it’s like crickets. Everyone was in transit or busy getting ready vs. answering the phone, replying to tweets or even picking up these extra 2nd and 6th row tickets before the show. It was strange to say the least. So, it would just be us…Silver Kitty, Bobby, Roland the Sequel, Lady C and myself… and at 6:30pm we rushed off to get an extra bag of Curt’s sweets for the show with a few things for Roland in tow.

Long story short, I ran back inside for a bar of Cadbury chocolate for Curt…and got all damp from the rain. “Maybe I should just go to my seat and let the others say hi for me…” I thought as I try to fan myself dry. I decided I’d better show up and just stand back, taking a rain check on the hugs.

A Nice Chat
*Not going to elaborate on this part because I respect everyone’s privacy (and the law of the land) to not record every word said or detail every movement made. But as always, these chats are very sacred and I’m grateful that we were able to share it with those who came along. Somewhat drier, we get inside the venue and see members of the beautiful TFF official team, people we are always overjoyed to see. As we are hugging I realise I still don’t have one of their items. I’ll have to send it later. Long time fan, former TFF member and all around awesome person, Afton is there looking like a million dollars and I’m just thrilled to see her again. Learn more about Afton (Sangster) here.

They led us down the trail to the chat which was a scene from Alice in Wonderland. There I was in my damp royal blue Japanese Kawaii coordinate entering the twists and turns like one trailing down the rabbit hole leading to this extravagant moment. It was so cool yet serene as the room in which we eventually entered looked like a grand mini ballroom with its cool furniture, deep colours and gorgeous band members relaxing like they’d just finished the most sumptuous of tea parties ever…in big chairs mind you.

Still, I wasn’t ready… After all the years of seeing them, delivering this or that…this wasn’t new for me, yet I still couldn’t believe it. Damp and dizzy with a racing heart that sent me into a cold sweat, I walk in the door ushered by the very subdued Silver Kitty. I’m greeted by the majestic presence of this band. The Good Sir in all his glory greets me with incredible and beautiful warmth. His precious hands meet mine in a respectful way. The Good Sir gives me a gentle hug depsite my forelorn and bedraggled condition and he went down the line greeting us as did others of this sacred set of musicial geniuses …The Good Man came in as well and lovingly signed merch and allowed us some nice snapshots while chatting with us about his life. It felt like family, like I was where I was supposed to be…The rest of their generous time in their presence was equal to a very spiritual encounter and will be kept in our vault. Nothing off colour or seedy occured, it was just a warm discussion and chat that for us is the closest thing to heaven. It’s a Zen gathering, it is the ultimate peace and joy. One’s soul calms when standing near them and, as usual for me, it takes about 6 months to realise that we did actually see them. Several times I find myself waking up at night thinking…was that real? It’s just such a miraculous moment.

To think we were little kids watching them on TV, holding their music close like security blankets and now they stand before us providing comfort that words can’t describe. I have not found that type of peace anywhere else. There is nothing I can even compare it to because it’s like a dream. It’s a very uplifing and a soul gripping experience, it redefines Cloud 9’s eurphoria. Any odd things that happen in our daily lives are completely washed away as their energy and kindness makes a therapy session look like a cheap bandaid. Tears for Fears, whether they accept it/know it or not, are a healing experience. One look, one nod, one smile by members of this band… and one is forever changed. It’s a phenomenon.

After the unexpected and generous chat we wandered back through the cool, twisting trail and past the stage curtains which were open. I couldn’t help but take a peek at all the cool instruments. Seeing the audience from their perspective was pretty damn cool. Seeing all the eager people and happy faces just waiting for them to come out and dazzle the world as they do was exhilarating. SK was kind of enough to get us really great seats. I was happy that the stage wasn’t so high that I couldn’t see over it. I had just enough room to dance around without it pressing into my hips. Those on the first row center were literally knees-to-stage. We were first row right (Curt’s side), Lady C on first row left (Roland side) and quite comfy. We met some really lovely fans before the show and during that time I exchanged email addresses with as many of them as possible so we can stay in touch. Before long Carina Round came out and played her fantastic set. She gave a shout out to Pucifer who had played at this location some time ago and she was there with them. Curt accompanied her on the final song of her set as he’s done on so many other occasions (notably, Sunset Station Hendersonville Nevada 2012).

Annnnd of course Tears for Fears appeared not long after…and it’s all recorded. Here are some videos from the show by various fans. Big thanks to Charlton for the generosity. Huge thanks to Jamie for the drumsticks given to Bobby!! Gargantuan thanks to Roland and Curt for their TIME. Sweet gentle kisses for Carina and her beautiful voice (love her wardrobe). And special thanks to Lady T and Afton for that generous pre and post-show hug. I’m so inspired to work hard to bring forth my best self because of this band. They make me want to be a better person. It’s just something about them that makes me want to do better in every possible way. I pray, by G-d’s grace I can do it. I pray we can always enjoy their majestic presence as tour attendees and dedicated travel fans. G-d bless everyone’s contributions and efforts and the positive energy of others alongside us in sister fan groups in Manila, France and Brazil/Brasil. TFF puts the “FF’s” in “Fan Family.”

Videos and Show Highlights

*SK says to watch these in HD or the sound is completely inaudible.

We screamed a lot. Looking back through the videos, we were just in plum TFF Manic mode… I’m so glad we remain calm during M&Gs with Curt in California and impromptu gatherings during tours because if I heard or saw people like myself in “show mode” I’d probably be afraid. One beautiful part of the madness is that the entire crowd was “roaring” with joy. It was awesome, overwhelming and everything in between. The energy in those shows is electric. We get so excited and  though it’s over an hour (2+ I think) it’s never long enough, you want it to go on and on. We don’t get tired of this because every concert FEELS new, one is not like the other. Atlanta isn’t LA an LA isn’t Vegas, etc. Each concert has unique pieces and occurances that make you eager to go to another so you can enjoy the new things they say and do in each city.

Another set of treats and gifts are the conversations between songs and souvenirs tossed into the audience. We were on Curt’s side for this show and Charlton was standing over us. I loved watching him play guitar and he was all smiles, even obliged and gave me a guitar pick. I was collecting Curt’s for some time and giving them to fellow fans back in Atlanta and for those who had only gotten to see Roland or stand on  his side. I find that no matter what side you’re on, it’s just fun to be near them. Roland and Curt do a lot of great shoutouts during shows as well. Here’s one for a set of twins who share The Good Sir’s birthday/bidet/bday.

Birthday Shout Outs

During Charlton’s solo intro of Closest Thing to Heaven, Curt slips some Skittles. Then he comes over to us and literally throws a handful over our head to make it rain!!

OHHH MY GAHHH, you’d have thought he was throwing money. We were so excited, catching a few in our hands and swallowing them down (or at least I did. I have a collection of his autographed Skittles so any new ones are fair game to be eaten). We couldn’t get “the rain” on video because it was unexpected but we’re hoping someone else did. Good Man you are so freakin’ cool!

Set List
Being so close to the stage distorts the sound sometimes so here are some clips by a fan named Aaron for a few of the songs. Carri also took some cool video close up.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Lorde & TFF riginal Opening)

SW, SOL, AFTYAH,

Pale Shelter & cool chat from Good Man Curt *they sound crystal clear in person, again being so close to the stage our recordings sound a bit distorted.

BIDA, ELAHE & Creep

Change, MW, MF, CTTH (Billie Jean was on the list but was not played) Badman’s Song

Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels – upclose

Woman In Chains

Shout

Shout (upclose) 

After the show, like immediately after, this young lady comes out of nowhere and jumps up on the stage. She’s trying to get a set list. When a staff member gives it to someone else we start yelling, “But she jumped up on the stage! C’mon, let her have one please!!” The guy did hand one over. Roland the Sequel got one as well…which was pretty darn cool and well deserved for his amazing contributions this season.

Back at the hotel, security is walking around …we don’t know why. Maybe the band was going to their rooms or something. We stayed off to the side in the lobby and people came over to us to say hi and hang out. During that time we met these cool peeps from one of the conferences that the hotel was hosting.

Hotel Lobby

Hours later in our rooms we’re looking at videos, packing and such. We had to hop off the tour because we couldn’t do that Arizona and ABQ heat. I had a swim meet back in Atlanta, so I couldn’t go to Jack’s 10th Show. This would be it for a few months…and the thought of pausing was hard. We stretched time that morning though…

Travel Fan Brunch – from Periscope TV – replay of broadcast

A Little Pause
On the way to the airport we contemplated if we should just take some extra holiday time and just go to the next show anyway, crazy 100+ degree temps be damned. We couldn’t but thankfully other travel fans were taking good care and headed out to represent the TFF365 spirit. I tried to hold in my tears the whole of the Tulsa show and afterwards but at the airport, right there at the curb I just lost it. I just cried…horribly. The ugly cry…smh.

I said goodbye to all through sobbing tears. Carolyn who was flying in the same terminal as myself walked me in and I sniffled my way through check-in. It was so hard. I walked around the airport. TFF were, to our knowledge not far off, one woman said she saw two guys who looked like The Good Sir and The Good Man walking into a side door. You know they have those now where you don’t have to walk in with the public. I thought they already did but anyway, they were supposedly spotted. Roland had tweeted that they were grounded due to the storms. Carolyn’s flight was delayed for the same reason. Mine was on time but we still had about 3 hours to kill. So…like any dedicated fan we located the Airport Jukebox that plays music over the intercom system throughout the entire airport… and we changed all of the songs to Tears for Fears…like over 2 hours worth. We Periscoped it, making sure to avoid people’s faces because we weren’t sure it was legal to broadcast there. Thanks to all, especially Steven, who logged into the broadcast and showed us how to do it. #TeeHee It was awesome! People all around us were tapping their feet and dancing in their seats. Only one guy approached Carolyn later (she was wearing her TFF shirt) and asked if she was responsible for Tears for Fears being played non stop… We have no shame. She even has a t-shirt her daughter gave her that says, “Danger, Tears for Fears Fan…”

Again, very grateful to Roland and Curt, their entire team, road team, Lady T, fans on tour, Afton and all the support and kindness we got via Periscope and the entire time we were gone. So many people help make these tours possible and we’re just thrilled to be out there on the road with their energy. Really looking forward to the new album and more fun and exciting times in this life with Tears for Fears leading the way. Cheers! Thanks for reading! AA

Follow: @tearsforfears @curtsmith @rolandtff @carinaround @jwdrum @dougpettyla @CharltonPettus (you can follow travel fan fun via @papasfans) Also, be sure to visit our #2015Love focus and consider a donation: http://www.standwithmaceo.com/ #StandWithMaceo