“Mad World,” “Head over Heels,” “Shout,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Despite these instantly recognizable songs, Tears for Fears is one of those bands that most don’t think about too often. Falling into the massive group of 1980’s bands that everyone knows about but no one’s ever heard of, the English pop-rock outfit has achieved massive success over the years, with multiple chart-topping songs and a trio of platinum-selling albums to their name.
Helmed by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, Tears for Fears was founded in 1981 in Bath, England, and attained success as part of the Second British Invasion, which saw US record stores filled with New Wave and Synth-Pop albums from across the pond. Now in their 42nd year and fresh off the release of their 7th studio album, The Tipping Point, Tears for Fears returned to Houston (or rather, The Woodlands) for a career-spanning set including songs from throughout their discography.
The show kicked off around 7:45 with Cold War Kids. An interesting pairing, some would say, but many older acts have begun touring with newer rock groups, including Pixies with Franz Ferdinand, and Duran Duran with Bastille. Playing songs off of eight different albums, Cold War Kids warmed up the somewhat sparse crowd just as the sun began to set.
Just after 9PM, Tears for Fears took the stage. With an elaborate lighting setup that spanned the whole width of the backdrop, the band played through a 19-song set including a brief interlude to wish a fan happy birthday, which had the entire venue singing along.
In addition to the impressive lighting rig, the stage featured massive circular screen that played everything from music videos to clips of people and historical events from around the world, providing an interesting backdrop to the synth-heavy sound that the band has become known for.
The band closed out the show with a cover of Radiohead’s ever popular “Creep,” and “Shout,” both of which were met with cheers and applause from the several-thousand strong crowd. 80s acts have seen a huge resurgence in the last few years, and Tears for Fears is no different, with fans young and old filling up the amphitheater. By the end of the show, everyone was on their feet, and the air was filled with voices shouting out lyrics.
Tears for Fears wrap up their 2023 tour at LA’s Hollywood Bowl on August 2nd.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
