Tears for Fears- Madison Square Garden

     Tears for Fears performed at Madison Square Garden Monday night as their triumphant return to the NYC area and what a return it was. Last time they were here, in NYC, was over five years ago when they performed with Hall & Oates and Allen Stone at Forest Hills Stadium in June of 2017. They took to the stage, didn't say a word and just started playing and singing. The audience cheered their arrival.

The gang's all here.

    The band opened with 'No Small Thing' which was no small thing to open with a new one off the new album, 'The Tipping Point'. The new number was well received, I liked it. The band went on to play the title track 'The Tipping Point' another new one off the new album, which could get risky, could be a tipping point even, but the people enjoyed it. Then Tears for Fears went into their third song, a smash, 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World'. The crowd went wild! Still not one word has been spoken by any band members.

     When that tune came to an end it was time to get chatty. Roland Orzabal, the co-lead singer and lead guitarist and the only constant band member thanked everyone for coming out on a Monday night and said "Hopefully this is the beginning of a great week." He told a story how after 40-years in the business this is their very first time ever performing at Madison Square Garden, The Most Famous Arena in the World. 

A great, quick (1:34) recap video of the entire night

    They have performed a few times at The Beacon, they've been at Hammerstein, they played at Radio City Music Hall, 2-night sold-out stand, (back in the day) they've also appeared at all the summer hot spots in the New York area: Jones Beach, PNC Arts Center, etc... He went on to present everyone on stage, he introduced Curt Smith, bass player, (the other half of Tears for Fears.) Next, their drummer who has been with them since 2010, Jamie Wollam was spotlighted. 

    Roland went on to emphasize that the three of them, himself, Curt and Jamie are the members of Tears for Fears and they have never been on this stage before in their life! People were like, o.k. we got it. He then went on to introduce their backing musicians, all 3 of them, who have been on this stage before. And everybody laughed. It was hysterical, comedy gold, even, gold, Jerry, gold. Sometimes life is funnier than anything written.

Roland on guitar, Doug on keys and Curt on bass

    Doug Petty is a classically trained sessions keyboardist who is currently touring with them. He has played with the likes of Enrique Iglesias on this very stage. Doug stood up and waved so everyone could get a good look at him. They responded by showing their love. Next to be recognized was the back-up singer with the powerful voice, Laura Evans. She has appeared here with Natasha Bedingfield. The people showed her love too. 

    Charlton Pettus, the rhythm guitarist, was the final musician to be introduced. He played guitar for Sinead O'Connor during the Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary special, 1992. 

A VIP Backstage Pass. I need to get more of these. 

      So the fourth song was 'Secret World' and while they performed they also threw in a snippet of 'Let 'em in' by Wings. That was an unexpected treat. I remember buying that 45 in the bicentennial year. (true story, second one I ever bought) Yep, I'm old, funny how...time flies. (see what I did there?) 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' was after that, terrific rendition. The entire show was terrific, it did not lag anywhere throughout. 

    The set design was fantastic. In the center above the stage was a huge, round screen projecting different images all night. Surrounding the screen was a ring of lights, then there was another larger ring of lights in front of that and yet another third ring of lights in front of that one. When you sat in your chair and looked forward it appeared that you were looking into a circle of lights that got smaller and smaller until you got to the screen where the images ranged from nature with running horses to funky kaleidoscope action which give for a psychedelic, trippy effect. The entire set was phenomenal, kudos to set design person/people. 

Great lighting, the place is packed.

    It was now Curt's turn to chat a bit into the mic. He said "It was nice to be home." Then went on to tell the story how he lived in NYC for a few years and after you lived here once you kind of feel like it is always home. They went on to play a few more tracks from the new album. It appeared, by the reaction of the 20,000 plus in attendance, that it was well liked. The entire concert was. 

    A look of surprise was on a lot of faces when they played 'Mad World'. Curt sang lead on this one. Seemed like some in the crowd were wondering "Why are they doing this cover?" But, in reality, it is a Tears for Fears song from 1982. It was covered in 2010, by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for the movie Donnie Darko. 

Photo from stage left: Roland, Laura and Curt

    The ditty that followed was 'Suffer The Children'. This was Laura Evans big solo number and it was beautiful, she really belted it out of the arena. Following her solo she sang a duet with Roland 'Woman in Chains'. They had great harmony. TFF went on to perform a handful of more songs including 'Head Over Heels' and 'Change' before getting to the encores. They closed out their show with, you know which one. The big one, from the summer of 1985, the one that put them on top of the world, 'Shout'. The Garden erupted, the fans were grateful.

    One song I wanted to see live was 'Please Be Happy' from the new album. It may have been too heavy for Roland to play on tour. This is the song he and Curt wrote about Roland's wife, Caroline, whom he lost in 2017 after almost 40-years of marriage, due to alcoholism and depression. Roland would get emotional and would have to leave the studio when they were mixing the masters. 

    It sounds so simplistic but they really are the perfect words to say to a loved one going through any depression or sadness "Please be happy".