By Ed Condran
When Sting opened his Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in October 2021, the legendary singer-songwriter revealed to the capacity crowd the advice he received before taking the stage. Sting was told to just play the hits. “All I’ve ever written were the bleeping hits,” Sting cracked.
Tears for Fears understands and will deliver the familiar when the iconic duo plays a residency Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 and 2 at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Expect fan favorites such as “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Shout,” “Head Over Heels,” “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and “Mad World.”
However, vocalist-guitarist Roland Orzabal, 63, and vocalist-bassist Curt Smith, 63, are always good for a deep cut and new material since the band has never been a nostalgia act. The tandem is compelled to create fresh tunes.
“We have to write about something,” Smith said. “We never wanted to be this legacy band playing the hits. We weren’t comfortable with that. We want to say something. We have a desire to get better and make that perfect album.”
Tears for Fears were always ambitious, and the result has been provocative, well-constructed songs. Much like Depeche Mode and New Order, Tears for Fears emerged out of the United Kingdom during the 1980s with challenging synth-pop.
Tears for Fears remains relevant by crafting solid new albums such as 2022’s “The Tipping Point” with eclectic and catchy songs. “ ‘The Tipping Point’ is a brilliant album and a nod and a wink to our old material,” Orzabal said. “We always want to do something a little bit shocking. Wait until you hear the next one.”
Tears for Fears plans on recording a new album after the act finishes its Las Vegas run. Orzabal and Smith are inspired as they enter their twilight years. “It’s interesting writing now,” Smith said. “Your viewpoint changes as you get older. You tend to be more objective about things.”
Orzabal and Smith are enjoying touring now more than during their early days. Smith rolled his eyes when recalling 1985’s “Songs From the Big Chair Tour.” Tears for Fears broke through the stratosphere and were all over MTV and the radio after tunes such as the infectious “Shout” scaled the charts.
“The ‘Songs From the Big Chair Tour’ was not enjoyable at all,” Smith recalled. “It was always fun performing. But our record company got us up every morning to do radio interviews. We were always out there shaking hands and kissing babies after our shows.
“We were always doing interviews on the road, and that’s why we’re doing this interview now. We want to enjoy the road. We want to enjoy Las Vegas when we play there.”
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