Less than a month before Tears For Fears is scheduled to embark on an arena tour of the U.K. and Europe, co-founder Curt Smith — who split with musical partner Roland Orzabal once before — is hinting that his future with the group may be uncertain.
On Friday, a fan tweeted “enjoy rehearsal” at Smith, seemingly referencing a photo of Orzabal taken at a tour rehearsal that has been circulating. Smith’s response: “Thanks for the thoughts, but I’m not there.”
Another fan asked later that day: “We need to know if your in or out for the long haul? Are rugs being pulled once more??” Smith replied: “Not my decision at this point, but I’ll happily let you know when I know.”
Then, earlier today, another fan asked Smith whether ticketholders will know prior to the upcoming shows whether he’ll be there or not. To that, he replied: “Obviously I will know before then & I will let you know as soon as I do. Again, all circumstances beyond my control at this point.”
UPDATE: On Jan. 13, Smith tweeted “See you in Europe,” suggesting — though still not explicitly addressing — that he will be on the tour.
The band itself has made no announcement regarding Smith’s participation in the Tears For Fears tour, and the group’s Facebook page features advertisements for upcoming gigs and festival appearances with photos showing both Orzabal and Smith. The band is slated to open its UK and Ireland tour on Jan. 30 in Killarney, and play a total of 18 arena dates across Europe — many of which were rescheduled from last year, when the band’s tour was canceled over undisclosed health issues.
Beyond the arena dates, Tears For Fears has been announcing European festival appearances in June and July, as well as a lone U.S. date: an appearance in May at the Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta.
If Orzabal were to press on as Tears For Fears without Smith, it wouldn’t be the first time. Smith left the band in 1991, and Orzabal released two albums — 1993’s Elemental and 1995’s Raoul and the Kings of Spain — under the Tears For Fears name. Smith and Orzabal eventually got back together in 2000, and released Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004.
The two have been working on a new Tears For Fears album for five years, and, in postponing their tour dates last year, had said it would be released in fall 2018 — but so far, no release has been announced.
See the band’s current tour dates below.
Thanks for the thoughts, but I’m not there. https://t.co/ZasDRcZs0n
— Curt Smith (@curtsmith) January 4, 2019
Not my decision at this point, but I’ll happily let you know when I know. https://t.co/c6inqtobN8
— Curt Smith (@curtsmith) January 5, 2019
Obviously I will know before then & I will let you know as soon as I do. Again, all circumstances beyond my control at this point. https://t.co/OSqlvLLbLe
— Curt Smith (@curtsmith) January 5, 2019
This is all over the Facebook groups right now, apparently the pic is by Bill Langham of @tearsforfears rehearsing for the tour. #RolandOrzabal seems to have darkened his hair somewhat again. SO excited! #10TFFGigs pic.twitter.com/SyqEmCkeQu
— Gwen Cooper (@Cusackcat) January 4, 2019
Tears For Fears tour dates
Jan. 30: INEC Killarney, Killarney, Ireland
Jan. 31: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Feb. 2: Echo Arena, Liverpool, UK
Feb. 3: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, UK
Feb. 4: Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK
Feb. 6: The O2, London, UK
Feb. 7: Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, UK
Feb. 9: First Direct Arena, Leeds, UK
Feb. 11: SSE Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Feb. 12: Genting Arena, Birmingham, UK
Feb. 13: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, UK
Feb. 16: Tempodrom, Berlin, Germany
Feb. 17: AFAS Live, Amsterdam Zuidoost, Netherlands
Feb. 19: Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt, Hamburg, Germany
Feb. 20: Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium
Feb. 21: Accorhotels Arena, Paris, France
Feb. 23: Mediolanum Forum, Milano, Ialy
Feb. 24: Kioene Arena, Padova, Italy
May 3: Shaky Knees Music Festival, Atlanta, GA, USA
June 18: Hampton Court Palace Festival, London, UK
June 19: Hampton Court Palace Festival, London, UK
June 21: Delamere Forest, Cheshire, UK
June 22: Blenheim Palace – Nocturne, Woodstock, UK
June 25: Neumünster Abbey, Luxembourg
June 26: Galaxie D’Amneville, Amneville, France
June 28: KUNST! Rasen, Bonn, Germany
June 29: Parkpop, Den Haag, Netherlands
June 30: Retro C’est Trop, Tilloloy, France
July 3: Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
July 7: Beauregaurd, Hérouville-saint-clair, France
July 9: Rome Fest, Rome, Italy
July 10: Lucca Summer Festival, Lucca, Italy
July 12: Tollwood Festival, München, Germany
July 13: Schloss Bruchsal Festival, Bruschal, Germany
July 14: Summer in The City, Mainz, Germany
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Tears For Fears delays UK tour, prepares to release first new album in 14 years this fall
- Tears For Fears and Hall & Oates team up for North American co-headlining tour
- Tears For Fears’ ‘Songs From the Big Chair’ to be reissued this fall in giant 6-disc box set
- Stream Tears For Fears’ 4-song Peel Session from 1982 — off ‘The Hurting’ box set
- Stream: Tears For Fears, ‘Pale Shelter’ (Original 12-Inch Mix) — off ‘The Hurting’ box set
- Tears For Fears’ ‘The Hurting’ box set: Remixes, B-sides, radios sessions, live DVD
Can this pair keep their shit together already? I’ve seen them once and that’s plenty for me, but continually jerking the fans around with this will they/won’t they foolery WRT the album and tour dates is getting really old.
That’s alright. I’d rather see them without Curt. That way Roland came play every track from Elemental!
I love that band and just hope they can get things straight so we can continue to enjoy them.
For what thats worth.
I had tickets for the Leeds show while I was in the UK last April. Needless to say, I was crushed when they suddenly pulled the tour. Later in the year, I dared to question the real reason for the cancellation and you would have thought I insulted every religion in the world for even suggesting that this tour cancellation was anything but legit. Here we are, nine months on, and we still don’t know and now, Curt might not be in? Too much drama, even for a group that I absolutely love.
Meh. After missing them live in the 80’s, and hearing nothing but great things about their live shows, I finally got to see them live a few years back.
Smith was singing painfully out of key for the entire show. An amazing vocalist they had in tow – Michael Wainwright – who was singing the high-parts for Songs like Woman in Chains did his best to carry Curt, but jeez! Smith literally dragged down the entire show. So disappointed.
Curt’s value seems to be in the studio at this point. I have a feeling the show I attended wasn’t unusual. If we don’t get anything else, Everybody Loves A Happy Ending is a fine ending.
Roland is and has always been the talent in this group. I see how it is nice to have them both there for nostalgic reasons but I do not mind that Curt is out. The song he wrote for the latest greatest hits is a low point in tears for fears discography.
A new tweet from Curt (14th January) now says: ‘see you in Europe’. And I don’t think he is talking about personal Holidays …
Still, the whole situation that occured seems to be highly unprofessional to me.
Such a history of wasted potential with this group. Best to never expect anything noteworthy from them and you won’t be disappointed.
Wow! Some entitled “fans” need to back the fuck up.
Curt did not deny any sort of involvement in the upcoming tour. Fans and Twitter followers took it upon themselves to read into a situation cause by a series of harmless ambiguous tweets. Panties on both males and females were apparently soon tied in knots!
If you are a true fan, you would know the real reason behind cancellations last year…
https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2018/01/13/tears-for-fears-talks-ahead-of-their-gig-at-arena-birmingham/
An another thing! “Stay” is a great track!
Personally couldn’t stand it (or rather understand it) when first hearing it but it grew on me and I seem to enjoy it more with every listen. Looking forward to “The Tipping Point”.
I Love the group my favorite of all time seen them 3 times Thanks Tatiana❤. They are great together but Curts voice is not what it use 2 be. Roland is still holding strong and has been the power behind the band from day 1 ….RIP 2 his Lovely Wife Caroline Hope 2 see you guys in the future Blessings
Hey what about the fans? Get your s*** together!
My favorite 80s band hope you guys come back to Boston
“Change.” Change is constant, everlasting and insurmountable. Tears For Fears will always be part of who I am. Who knew a band halfway across the world could reach into my little world, their songs touching me so profoundly, and got me through those difficult early teens and twenties just like a reliable friend. No one can take that away from me. Memories and emotions I cherish & will never forget. I grew up with them. You can’t go back. So, look ahead and be blessed with what you have. I am so glad to have seen their shows then and now, too. And a flash of a smile from either is just joyful to see. Great vocals, lyrics and music. Thank you Roland and Curt. Everyone should have the freedom to make their own choices and be respected. Don’t do anything that does not make you happy. Sending my heartfelt love to you both. Thanks for the memories and best to you in the future.
Tears for fears,where the best band of the Eighties,loved Curt from the first time they played on Top of the pops, you seem to forget that they are older now and their voices won’t be the same, give them a break.your not true fan’s.
Omg, beautiful.
I grew up listing to 60s music,stones,zeppelin, cream,etc..I lived for 60s music..well, when the 80s music came along I was hooked and can honestly say that the 80s music ruled the planet..the 80s were the last hurrah and I miss those days terribly… Man,I wish those days would never end…
love the TFF. the lyrics of pale shelter touched me deeply. i set a file in which i put more than 70 songs of TFF on the music app. they are so brave and real. the TFF is the most touching, most unforgettable and most special one for me among those beloved bands. I wish i would watch TFF’s live in Beijing. it seems that we are invisible to you…please don’t forget your fans in Beijing.