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Tears For Fears at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

SDE reviews last night’s show

By Paul Sinclair

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47

Tears For Fears perform at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 4 Jully 2022

Tears For Fears entertained a rapturous crowd in London last night, in an unsurprisingly packed Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Fresh from their USA tour, and having kicked off their series of UK gigs at large outdoor venues on Friday, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith ditched the random British weather and the big screens for one night of intimacy inside the 2000-capacity West London venue, which, as Roland reminded us during the show, they last ‘played’ when lip-syncing to ‘Sowing The Seeds of Love’ on BBC TV’s Wogan chat show in 1989 (the programme was broadcast from what was then ‘BBC Television Theatre’). A few candles and some vases of sunflowers on stage added to the homely vibe.

Last year, Curt Smith told SDE that “It was getting a little boring” playing the same old songs all the time and that “the only way to liven that up would be to maybe make some new music”. Make some new music they duly did and Smith and Orzabal are clearly reenergised by their new album The Tipping Point (released back in February), which forms the bedrock of the setlist for the 2022 tour, without sacrificing any of the classic hits for which they are known.

Opening with the acoustic/epic ‘No Small Thing’, before heading into the electronic pop of ‘The Tipping Point’, was a statement of intent, although they moved away from the new album for the third song of the evening, a little ditty you might know called ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’! If there’s one album that steps aside, in terms of the setlist, for the new songs it’s the band’s 2004/5 reunion record Everybody Loves A Happy Ending which back in 2017 they were playing a trio of numbers from (including the title track), but is now distilled down to just ‘Secret World’, which appears to be the band’s favourite from that record (although not this writer’s). In truth, ‘Happy Ending’ is always going to be the least known Curt-and-Roland TFF long-player for the non-hardcore fanbase, so it’s not a bad decision.

Roland and Curt take centre stage at Shepherd’s Bush last night (click to enlarge)

So accomplished are Tears For Fears at playing ‘Sowing The Seeds of Love’ live that they make it look easy. They delivered a note-perfect rendition of their complex 1989 masterpiece and the performance demonstrated that Roland’s voice can still go wherever he wants it to go (‘Woman in Chains’ and ‘Badman’s Song’, later on, underlined this).

Four more songs from The Tipping Point in a row – ‘Long, Long, Long Time’, ‘Break The Man, ‘My Demons’ and ‘Rivers of Mercy’ – are performed in exactly the same order as they are on the album, with ‘Rivers of Mercy’ proving a cool, refreshing sorbet after the spicy, pulsing synths of ‘My Demons’.  

All three singles from 1983’s debut album The Hurting get an outing in the second half of the show, with ‘Mad World’ sounding very much like the album version (in past eras the band had dabbled with rearrangements) and the brilliant Lauren Evans (who is standing in for Carina Round on backing vocals) sung lead on ‘Suffer The Children’ (the band’s first single, from 1981).

We were reminded of the brilliance of ‘Break It Down Again’ (the should’ve-been-a-global-smash from 1993’s Curt-free Elemental) and ‘Head Over Heels’ always feels naked without ‘Broken’ so it’s pleasing to hear that ‘the segue’ is back! Yet another song from the new album, the appropriate ‘End of Night’ (at one point touted as a possible first single from the new album), forms part of the encore as ‘Shout’ closed the evening in emphatic style. 

Tears For Fears have achieved something quite remarkable with this 2022 tour. They’ve added almost an entire new album to the setlist (album closer ‘Stay’ plays before the band walk on stage) and yet there’s not one moment where you think “this is a good time to pop to the bar”. That’s testament to just how great The Tipping Point is and demonstrates what fans who have bought it already know – that the album is genuinely on a par with their best work. 

Tears For Fears continue their UK tour tonight, at Waddesdon Manor, in Aylesbury. Book tickets for one of the dates.

Tracklisting

Tears For Fears

      1. No Small Thing
      2. The Tipping Point
      3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World
      4. Secret World
      5. Sowing the Seeds of Love
      6. Long, Long, Long Time
      7. Break the Man
      8. My Demons
      9. Rivers of Mercy
      10. Mad World
      11. Suffer the Children
        (Vocal by Lauren Evans)
      12. Woman in Chains
      13. Badman’s Song
      14. Pale Shelter
      15. Break It Down Again
      16. Head Over Heels / Broken
      Encore
      1. End of Night
      2. Change
      3. Shout

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47 Comments

47 thoughts on “Tears For Fears at Shepherd’s Bush Empire”

  1. It is a shame that T4F have not rescheduled the Banquet Records\Pryzm gig from September last year and someone is still sitting on all the ticket money with no sign of a refund or a new date

  2. Unfortunately the band have had to cancel the next three dates of the UK tour, all of which I was attending!. Curt isn’t well enough to perform at the moment due to sustaining a rib injury. Hope he gets well soon apparently though the Scarborough open air show could be pushed back to a later date (fingers crossed).

    1. I am so glad I saw the Shepherd’s Bush and Waddesdon Manor shows. All the other shows including Leeds tonight that I was meant to attend have been cancelled (Scarborough is now cancelled too). With Alison Moyet having COVID and TFF cancelling it looks like I might not my chance to see her live this year. Argh! I have everything crossed Curt’s rib injury gets better soon.

  3. Another eventful evening drove 130 miles to Lytham Saint Anne’s to see my third show of the week only to sadly find out it had been cancelled due to Curt sustaining an injury prior to the show. Get well Curt and here’s hoping for next weeks shows. Most people like myself only found out on approach to the gate. Gutted!.
    Thankfully for the crowd The two support slots saved the day. And people were allowed in for free on the gate and also got a full refund promised.

  5. Great review and sums up exactly what I thought – that the new album is equally as good as the old stuff. In fact I prefer the new album to the Seeds of Love era (though I know I’m in the minority here!). Also as a first time seeing them live I was delighted to see that Roland and Curt’s vocals are as strong as ever! However I can only echo the overcrowding comments though – it was ridiculous in the standing area and if I hadn’t been waiting years to see them live I may have left too. Luckily the music made it worthwhile.

  6. Well I can’t believe it but just seen the show at the Newcastle Utilita Arena and it was absolutely superb, even better than the Shepherds Bush show in my opinion. Roland seemed to be in great form and chatted for a considerable time . The screens and graphics enhanced what was already a brilliant production and boy the sound was amazing.
    The set list was exactly the same but the sound has more depth and presence. Plus Alison Moyet was just the best support act totally thrilled the audience with her quality – even after having covid she sang just fantastically.

  7. I’m a bit puzzled by Curt’s comment that the “only” way to freshen up performing is to make new music. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that they have a new album and they’re playing a lot of it. However, they have such a great catalogue so including non-hits from past albums would have been most welcome. I also would have been happy to hear non-album tracks (e.g. Lord Of Karma, Johnny Panic) or something from Curt’s non-TFF output (maybe not from his first album, though). Bands like Yes keep things fresh by playing full albums so fans get some hits while the bands challenge themselves by playing other songs that they haven’t for many years, if ever. So, it would be good if Curt considered other options for keeping setlists fresh because new music isn’t new for very long.

    1. Always in the Past is one of those songs that really deserves an outing at some point. Same goes for a few things from the Curt-free albums (“Humdrum and Humble”) and even the bonus tracks from The Tipping Point. How amazing would Let It All Evolve be???

    2. i know what you’re saying, but to hear Curt & Roland talk, the b-sides and bonus tracks were never “canon” so to speak. They seem to think that unless they can both agree that it is album worthy, that it is unworthy. I disagree, but i have to respect that. They repeatedly say that Tears For Fears is where their tastes overlap and intersect, like a ven diagram. And the extra tracks and bonus tracks (New Star is one one of my favorite songs by anyone anywhere anytime, but too bad for me) are tracks that don’t fit into that zone. As disappointing as that is, that is unquestionably why their output is so consistently excellent.

  8. Thanks Paul for your great review. I was lucky to see their show on Saturday night at Longleat and they were superb from beginning to end. Roland and Curt were clearly excited to be playing there and felt it to be a ‘home’ venue as Longleat is not far from Bath. They also mentioned that members of their families were also in the crowd. I would echo earlier thoughts, if any of these shows are being recorded then it would make an excellent live album.

    My first post so thanks Paul for everything that you do and for sending the SDE deluxe cd of The Tipping Point when it was released.

  9. Agree with most comments and glad you all enjoyed the show as much as I did. It was indeed a concert of a band past its peak re-establishing a new peak, in a new age with added audience. I’m not so sure one could say that to the same degree about Duran Duran and their latest offering. TTP definitely is a grander album than Future Past though the interval between albums perhaps highlights the latest release more in TFF’s case.

    Great review Paul. Any idea whether Ms Evans will permanently replace Ms Round? I witnessed Ms Evans’ rendition in awe with tears rolling down my cheeks. Later, I watched Ms Round’s version on YouTube and could not help but be grateful for the experience I had.

    1. I saw them in the Chicago area on June 16. My wife who isn’t that big of a fan even said that the show was amazing. I agree with your assessment: TFF is a veteran band that has reached a new creative and performing peak. The new songs sit comfortably with the old classics.

  10. Saw them a few weeks ago in Chicago-land. Garbage was the opener, and Ms Manson was very good and very gracious to the crowd and TFF. TFF were fantastic! Amazing that they could play 7 songs from their current album and keep the energy moving forward throughout.

  12. I usually have a laundry list of complaints about seeing heroes of my youth. Usually things like their voice is so bad now…but not with Roland and Curt. Or they are only in it for the money(Sting digging up the Police, refusing to record with them, but makes an album with Shaggy?). With Tears For Fears, my only real complaint is mere haggling over the setlist, but if you have The Tipping Point, it’s hard to believe you don’t marvel at Master Plan or Please Be Happy. To me, along with My Demons and End Of Night, they are the cornerstones of the album. So I was sad to not hear them. You can knock Master Plan for the Beatles influence, but to me it simply embellishes an already great song. And Roland acknowledges it in the lyrics to a point! This is the best later years show by any artist I have attended in a long, long, long time….yes, pun intended. The thing about Tears that was missed when Curt left, was it was TWO VOICES, and to have them both here with such quality remaining in their voices is simply incredible. Although I wish Call Me Mellow or Happy Ending was in the set, it’s an incredible show as is. I don’t say very much is incredible as is, so if you get a chance to see this tour, DO IT!

  14. not suprised that they were fabulous….was wondering how alison was?…any new stuff out of her?…would have loved if she had been able to open in the US, not that i don’t enjoy garbage…so very cool they did most of the new album

  15. Wow, sounds like a great show. I hope I get to see them in the years to come, before they decide to stop touring.

    It’s a shame they’re turning their backs on “Happy Ending”, though. I frigging LOVE that album. My self-curated “best of TFF” playlist has a good five songs off that album. In my mind, “Call Me Mellow” is the perfect spiritual sibling of “Sowing The Seeds Of Love”.

  16. Paul,
    Have you heard any rumblings of any of the shows being recorded for a live release? I am being hopeful since they did release Secret World after ELAHE.

  18. Regular venues have put on enough shows to know what is the max capacity.There also must be some kind of Health and Safety assessment that decides a venue’s max capacity.So I am a bit surprised that many talk about the venue being over-full.Did anybody get into the show without a genuine ticket?That is the only reason I can think of for a venue having too many attending?However,worth noting that full capacity sold-out shows usually have a fabulous atmosphere and an enthusiastic vibe that is sometimes lacking in shows not sold out.So as long as they are safe the more the merrier!

  19. Absolutely terrific gig last night. Tipping point has become a favourite play, the album I keep going back to and not skipping any tracks. Missed absolutely everyone famous, totally absorbed in the performance – unreserved seating / standing on level 1 seems to have been a bit more comfortable. The sound was spot on, they really are worth a watch.

  20. I can’t imagine this show being improved upon. (Loads of other songs I’d also love to hear – The Way You Are? – don’t worry, I know they disowned it…!) It was a perfect night at the kind of venue we all wish they still played regularly. One of the best gigs I’ve ever been lucky enough to see. Thanks for the great review.

  21. I agree it was a great gig and the sound was excellent but downstairs was ridiculous, there is no way that it was safe. From the front of the stage all the way back to the back wall was solid people and it was impossible to move. totally oversold.

    1. i was lucky to go to the loo about 7.30pm. any later than that and I assume I wouldn’t even have been able to get on the floor, let alone back to my spot.

  22. I saw the last show of the US tour at Jones Beach theater in NY (outdoor theater on the ocean) and as I expected the show was fantastic. “My Demons” was definitely a highlight for me. Great review Paul!

  23. I was also at the show last evening and it was fantastic, best I’ve seen them and I’ve seen a few over the years. Got 4 more this week and next to keep me occupied happy days!!.

  25. Absolutely wonderful gig. It’s a very long time since I’ve seen TFF live and it was a rare pleasure to see them at the top of their game like this – and at one of my favourite London venues. Such a great set and I agree about the Tipping Point material holding its own in the company of the classics. Rivers Of Mercy was sublime.

    As well as a certain Lightning Seed, I also glimpsed you at the end, Mr Sinclair – leaving in esteemed company, no less ;)
    I was downstairs with the rest of the groundlings but ended up close to the stage.

  27. I have seen YouTube fan footage from several US shows and their audiences were very enthusiastic for the whole set including all the new songs.Always nice to see shows be well-received!I still think End of Night is a commercial 3min pop-banger that if existed in around 1985 would easily be a UK/US no 1. But because we are in 2022 the song will alas not ever reach those mass-appeal heights!But it is good to see that TFF can still write catchy tunes like this one(that almost anyone can access after only a few listens) when they put their minds to it.If you ever feel down a few plays of End of Night will cheer you up as it has an uplifting vibe to it!

  28. You’ve totally nailed it in that review, for me. Perhaps because they have come straight off the back of a US tour and have already started the main UK dates, this felt like a warm-up-show-that-isn’t because they are already totally running at full speed and on-point. I was pinned right at the back (behind the bar) and even from there the sound was remarkably good (not always the case at the SBE, it can be hit and miss on that). One of the best gigs I think I’ve been to. Sorry I couldn’t come and say hello (disguised as you were in the subtle yellow t-shirt) but it was so rammed, I literally couldn’t move 6 inches in any direction. But an amazing show and am very much looking forward to the Hatfield House gig in a few weeks. (Super pleased and surprised to hear them do Break It Down Again, one of my favourite TFF songs – I would have understood if Curt hadn’t been keen but there it was). I really hope they consider a live album and/or filmed release of this tour, because it was a particularly well chosen set list and sounded amazing.

  29. had a great time at the show last night, being about 4 back from the stage. Looking around the audience, I BELIEVE I saw Ian Broudie AND Serena Williams in the audience (but my eyes could have been fooling me).

    Just a great night, and I can’t wait to see them in Kingston in September at the Pryzm show. not a bad way to bookend the summer :)

      1. I’m guessing they were sat upstairs on level 1 same as us as apparently it was like in Sardine tins downstairs?. I was talking to security on the way out and apparently a lot of folk downstairs were requesting refunds as it was to congested?. I even heard one chap who travelled down from Scotland and only stayed for 15 mins as he couldn’t put up with it being so packed. I feel sorry for those who felt it was to much to stand.

          1. Same here. Never seen so many people crammed in downstairs. It was tricky to see and I’m not the shortest.

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