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Tears For Fears are a New Wave band hailing from Bath, England who formed in 1981. They were one of the most commercially succesful British bands of the 1980’s, selling millions of albums and headlining arenas all over the world with their dark hued synth-pop.
Driving the band ever since their formation has been the partnership of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, who met while they were teenagers at the same school in their native city Bath, in Somerset, England. Both of them were very musically talented and had chemistry together right away, performing together as The Baker Brothers around local pubs and clubs when they were a mere sixteen years old. However, they soon grew out of their band name, and since they opened their gigs with a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinsonâ€, the duo decided to rename themselves after the film that the song was made famous in.
As the ska/mod revival band Graduate, the band secured themselves a publishing deal and an extra three members backing the original duo. They ended up releasing an album and a single in 1980 but both tanked in the U.K, despite making some small waves over Europe. By 1981, however, both Orzabal and Smith had moved on from what they were playing in Graduate, and wanted to start playing music influenced by the likes of Peter Gabriel, David Byrne and Brian Eno. They disbanded Graduate and formed a band influenced by the most cutting edge music of the time called History Of Headaches. They soon came to their senses and renamed the band Tears For Fears.
Using the connections they’d built with their previous group, the band secured a record deal with Phonogram Records the very same year they formed and expanded the group to a four piece with the addition of drummer Manny Elias and bassist Ian Stanley. Their first single came out in the November of that year, but “Suffer The Children†failed to chart despite it being play listed by the massively influential Radio One DJ John Peel, and their second single, “Pale Shelterâ€, didn’t do much better. Things looked bleak for the band, but their third single would prove to be their making as a band. In November 1982, “Mad World†peaked at number three on the U.K charts and is one of the most enduring hits of the 1980’s to this day.
With a head of steam and masses of momentum, the band’s debut album, “The Hurtingâ€, was released in March 1983 and spent 65 weeks in the album charts, peaking at number one and going platinum with ease. They had a further two top five singles in the U.K with “Change†and a re-recorded and re-released “Pale Shelterâ€, and the album, along with its three singles, saw high chart placements all over the world. Tears For Fears became one of the hottest bands in the world within the space of a single year, and they had the world at their feet. One would assume that this would be the point that they’d blow it, and truth be told, they nearly did.
Between late 1983 and early 1984, the band released two singles that were more experimental than most were expecting. The first of them “The Way You Are†stalled in the Top 30 and its follow up “Mother’s Talkâ€, did peak in the Top 20, but its release was delayed when the band had to re-produce the whole single from top to bottom after being unimpressed by the initial results. However, the bands fortunes were sealed in November 1984 with the single “Shoutâ€, was yet another Top Five hit for the group in the U.K, and the album it came from “Songs From The Big Chairâ€, went to number two on the charts and stayed in the Top Ten for six months.
However, they’d done all that before. What they hadn’t done, up until that point, was make much of a commercial impact in America. “Songs From The Big Chair†did just that on its release in the U.S, hitting the number one spot on the Billboard 200 for five weeks and “Shout†topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks the following August. They had officially made it, and ever since then they’ve been one of the most acclaimed bands of the 80’s, with songs like the aforementioned singles and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World†becoming pop standards for generations afterwards. They’re still a pretty unmissable live act to this day, and still come highly recommended.
Read moreMy wife and I saw TFF at the TABLE MOUNTAIN CASINO (!!) in Fresno, CA almost 10 years ago now. They are freaking awesome!!
I was under the impression that since they were settling for doing casino venues, that they were on their way out. Boy was I wrong!!
I was introduced to their music by accident, when a roommate of mine back in 1985 put on his HURTING LP unbeknownst to me. The opening riffs of the title track absolutely entranced and mesmerized me!! I had never heard of them or of this song. It was actually a while later before I listened to the whole album....and years later still when I stumbled back into their library of everything after SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR (since I had tickets for that casino show). Its actually the LATER stuff that reeled me in, hook line and sinker!! As GREAT as the 1st 2 albums were, their later gems just blew me away!!!
At that show they busted out a rock jam that I wasn't familiar with....turns out it was SORRY. Holy shit!! These guys are unbelievable!!!
That song, and COLD, SOWING THE SEEDS, RAOUL AND THE KINGS, etc....launched TFF solidly into my 4th fave band of all time.
(Sorry, ZEP, FLOYD and RUSH will always be my trifecta at the top)
The anchor song on arguably their BEST album, EVERYBODY LOVES A HAPPY ENDING, "THE LAST DAYS ON EARTH", catapulted itself to my 5th favorite song of all time!!
I loooove TFF....and I hope to get to see them again!!!!
SCOTT H,
FRESNO, CA
TFF always puts on a great show, and yes, they are one of my top 5 bands of all time. I've seen them 7 times now and our daughter who is 19 now has seen them 3 times as well. Her first show was Little River Band when she was 3 months with ear plugs at the back of the venue up in the mountains of Colorado in Cripple Creek in 1999. Ironically, the current lead singer Wayne Nelson came to the back of that small venue and told the crowd, "this is truly a life experience for us all to be able to share this moment with your newborn child, we thank you for that." He was absolutely right, because, music has the ability to bring both friends together, and generations as well. TFF is the consummate band in their Genre to be that bridge, thank-you Roland and Curt, I'll be eternally grateful for your contribution and book of music.
Sadly enough, Robert Plant is an egotistical, narcissist who can't understand the concept of nostalgia and that concept of bringing us back together to those "good old days and times".
I'll hold on to a flicker of hope, but, time is starting to run out. Fortunately Mick and the crew are on slate for this coming summer, "pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name"...
Fish
The acclaimed duo Tears For Fears comprising of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were an important player in the British new wave scene of the 1980s. Following the release of their debut album 'The Hurting' is 1983 which topped the UK chart and won critics' praise, the band has been on a steady rise.
Despite having not released new material in over ten years, fans still swarm to the venue to see the iconic pair perform live and hear the classic music that has soundtracked many people's lives. With their distinctive vocal and melancholic tones, the staging is suitably sparse as the duo leads the accompanying band into position. The music created is ethereal, spanning and spine chilling all at once as favourites such as 'Everybody Wants to Run the World' are delivered with an expert level of poignancy.
All of the classics are included this evening including 'Sowing the Seeds of Love', 'Woman In Chains' and 'Head over Heels'. Yet it is perhaps there most iconic track 'Mad World' that receives the largest reaction from the crowd, the duo give this the slightest of tentative smiles as they clearly still enjoy playing this somber gem.
I saw Tears for Fears a few years ago at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California. The venue was relatively large, seating about 3,000 or so, and the band filled every single seat in that room; I don’t think that any of them actually got used, however!
The two-man band had a motley crew of assorted musicians backing them up, and they didn’t hit a sour note the whole night. As the group had its heyday in the 1980s, the crowd skewed older, but clearly hearing the group play brought them back to their younger years as everybody let loose and just plain had a great time.
The lighting in the auditorium was decent, nothing special; but this meant that it complemented the music, rather than distracting from the band. When Everybody Wants to Rule the World played, I’m pretty sure that absolutely every single one of the 3,000 in attendance sang every word – maybe when Tears for Fears sang that “Nothing ever lasts forever,†maybe they were excluding their own songs!
The duo is working on a new album, so when that comes out everybody should make sure to catch the tour when it comes to their city.
Fue un concierto genial, con las mejores canciones de la banda. Aunque ellos tienen un enorme repertorio de donde escoger, tocaron las más reconocidas.
Orzabal y Smith hicieron un gran show, la chica que les hace las voces femeninas (quién también abrió el show) canta extraordinariamente bien, cuando llegaron a Badman´s song (que es una de mis canciones favoritas) ella aportó significativamente a la voz que en el disco Seeds of Love hace Oleta Adams.
Fue genial, Tears for Fears es mi banda favorita de todos los tiempos, la escucho desde los 80´s, fue inolvidable, quedé esperando que durara unos 30 minutos más y que pudieran tocar algunas otras canciones más.
De lo mejor.
Wasn't sure how good they would be after all this time, but I wasn't disappointed. Tears for Fears were better than I've ever heard them before. Their voices were amazing and blended so well together. The accompanying singer was also fabulous as was Alison Moyet who was supporting them but can stand in her own right. Hearing all the old songs gave me a real sense of nostalgia. I can honestly say it was one of the best gigs I've been to in a while and I go to many. I've never heard an audience sing so determinedly last night to get them back on stage for an encore. It was so good I've booked tickets for another date to see them. Well done lads you did yourselves proud.
Saw Tears for Fears live at the Q and was very impressed! They performed a bunch of songs spanning their career. Their voices are still amazing as is their playing. Interestingly, they would sometimes speak between songs, which was cool to hear. The music was strong and power-driven and the feel of it was amazing, not to mention the coordinated light show and the opening. I'd love to see them again and plan on it when they come back. DON'T HESITATE SEEING THEM. THEY WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. I was very satisfied and more to say the least, glad to see one of my favorite bands. I will never forget the experience of seeing Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith live and in person.
Been to Delemere before always good when the weather’s alright. I’ve been to a ridiculous amount of gigs in my life and have a very eclectic taste. My best or favourite being The Cure and The Soundgarden and I would have to say that this was right at the top of my best gigs of all time!!
People might see Tears for fears as easy listening but at the time when they came out they were obscure and very left field from all that surrounded them. So pleased to see that Curt and Roland are working together again as they (as one) together are Tears for Fears. Pale Shelter rocked and I stole that moment in time on my camera phone
We had the pleasure of seeing Tears for Fears a few years ago at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles and they were awesome!! They sounded amazing and let me tell you....they still have their mojo! The entire audience was up out of their seats and singing along with the band. Kurt and Roland just keep getting better and better. We go to alot of concerts but that concert was one of our favorites. Now we can't wait to see them again this Summer when they come to LA on tour with another favorite power duo....Hall and Oates!!! Just when you thought life couldn't get any better!
Tears for Fears NEVER disappoints! They always sound incredibly good. We had seats in the front of the balcony at the Wiltern and I have never felt it shake the way it did that night. I was actually a bit nervous sitting up there. It was insane -- but in a good way.
Also caught them at Jimmy Kimmel Live. Had to watch from outside (peeking thru a crack in the fence), because we arrived just as they closed the gate. Stood outside and listened along with other latecomers...still a fun night and worth the drive. Just don't be late at Kimmel!
Want to see Tears For Fears in concert? Find information on all of Tears For Fears’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2025-2026.
Tears For Fears is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 5 concerts across 1 country in 2025-2026. View all concerts.
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