Tears for Fears: KCRW Live from The Village Studios

Whether Tears for Fears have been ruling your world since they dominated MTV in 1985 with their smash hit single “Shout” or you're more of the Donnie Darko type, chances are you’ve experienced a major life event made more profound by a soundtrack from Tears for Fears.

Settle into our recent session with the legendary band, in which you’ll hear standout cuts from new record “The Tipping Point,” alongside classics like “Mad World,” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Credits:
Program Director of Music: Anne Litt
Producer: Ariana Morgenstern
Video Producer: Dilly Gent, Son&Heir
Video Director/Editor: Vern Moen
Director of Photography: Trevor Wineman
Assistant Producer: Anna Chang
Digital Producer: Andrea Domanick

Music | Culture | News | NPR

[maverick]

Perfect example of the type of band that will never work at a major label being told what type of music to make and controlled, , but if left alone to do what they do at the pace they want to do it at and with no concern on how it will stack up to the previous records you get THIS.. AMAZING RECORD

[demonicsweaters]

TFF have to be one of the most well-rehearsed bands in history. This is basically perfection live. Also, as a gear junkie, this is just a beautiful example music technology. The mixture of high tech with traditional rock instruments is truly a sight to behold.

[Rael]

I saw TFF live in the 1980s in London and was impressed by how good they sounded life. Almost forty years later and they still sound as good. Class act.

[ceez]

Roland's voice is just as beautiful as it was in the 80's. Just saw them in Virginia Beach and the concert was simply amazing!!

[danielmarquis]

There is a reason Tears for Fears is my favorite band. The longevity of their existence and talent. This performance is EXTREMELY spot on to the point of excellence. Songs from the Big Chair was my first cassette as a child in the fall of 1985.

[xyzxyz]

I'm a massive fan but I have to say I have never heard them sounding so good live. That was an unbelievable performance

[leonardolelacher]

Dude, those drums are on fire and Roland is feeling it. 🔥🔥

[TGSamaritans]

Immense respect for Roland and Curt vocal performances. Their perfomances are only getting better and better in time.

[michaeldutton]

undoubtedly one of the best British groups of the '80's and still sounding awsome!!

[CalifornianCuttlefish]

*Not only two tears for fears look fantastic, they also still sound fantastic*

[KevinKorenthal]

Never has an 80s band come off tour so tight as this. You guys get another decade.

[bgrising]

Roland and Curt are true gems in music. One of the few bands from my adolescence that has traveled with me through adulthood into near senior territory with an admiration for their music that has only grown bigger.

[chevelle]

So beautiful. These guys all just get better and better. Roland’s writing is, as always, right on point. He voice is majestic. ❤

[acooksla]

Man oh man, this was one of my favorite bands ever back in the eighties and it’s so great to hear them sounding so amazing all these years later. Perfection.

[jorgdiel]

Hier mal auf deutsch für die Millionen DE Fans seit 1985, ich ziehe meinen Hut vor Euch!!! Wie Ihr nach fast 40 Jahren Eure Songs immer noch performen könnt ist bewundernswert, meine ganze Jugend in einem kurzen Konzert, Wahnsinn! Bleibt weiter so fit und so toll!

[bleep]

Very underrated group. Tears For Fears rocks!

[travistatman]

That first song melted my face off. They’re so good at layering simple patterns, and everything is intentional. They nailed the distinction between “it would be cool...” vs. “what is absolutely needed here?” Seemed to stick with “what is needed” and a less is more approach. Incredible songwriting and musicianship.

[FernandaUEVER]

I am was not aware and not expecting anything new from them. When I came up with Tipping Point now in March 2023 I listened to it nonstop for a whole weekend. Call me crazy or whatever but it felt so good, I’ve felt like myself again my happiness times ❤

[adriandegoede]

Must be amazing for these 2 guys to sing so beautifully together after all these years!! One of my all time favorite live performances! Not too short, not too long - powerful!! They must be so proud of the sound they hear back, singing really

[TheHousePanther]

One of the greatest "builds" of any pop music song I've ever heard in that 1st tune Brilliant.
There is something so special about live music that when performed, starts to fill the listeners' other sensory fields, not just auditory. The sonic space is so masterfully filled with layers of gorgeous, meticulously produced sound that it starts to bleed over into your sense of touch and vision. The song transforms itself into an audible painting, like a Picasso in your ears, the colors and textures of the music filling you with peace and joy that you palpably feel. That is love. Music is love. So powerful.