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Upcoming Tears for Fears dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Who Tears for Fears are and what the show covers
Tears for Fears is the English duo of Roland Orzabal (guitars, keyboards and vocals) and Curt Smith (bass, keyboards and vocals), formed in Bath, Somerset, in 1981. A ticket buys a new wave and synth-pop show built around one of the strongest singles catalogs of the 1980s, played by the two founders with a full band. Their recent North American tours have played mostly amphitheaters and pavilions in summer, with occasional arenas such as Madison Square Garden and showcase venues such as the Hollywood Bowl.
The duo has two US Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," both from Songs from the Big Chair (1985). "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" won the Brit Award for Best British Single in 1986. Other studio albums include The Hurting (1983), The Seeds of Love (1989), Elemental (1993), Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004) and The Tipping Point (2022), which entered the UK chart at No. 2.
What a Tears for Fears concert is like
The audience spans generations: fans who bought the records in the 1980s and younger listeners who came to the songs through film, television and streaming. Expect the big singles from The Hurting and Songs from the Big Chair alongside material from The Tipping Point. Orzabal and Smith share lead vocals, so the show moves between two singers rather than centering on one frontman.
The band's 2023 performance in Franklin, Tennessee, recorded on July 11, 2023, became the live album Songs for a Nervous Planet, released in 2024, which gives a fair preview of the current live sound and set structure. Because the music is melodic and mid-tempo rather than a mosh-pit rock show, reserved seating fits this audience well, and many amphitheater shows are largely seated until the encore.
Tears for Fears on tour, 2010 to the present
The touring history below is documented in this page's sources. Current dates appear in the live event list.
- 2010: joined Spandau Ballet in Australia and New Zealand, then headlined Southeast Asia and a 17-date US tour.
- 2015 to 2016: toured the United States and Canada in 2015, then played their first UK dates in over a decade in July 2016, at Newmarket Racecourse and Camp Bestival.
- 2017: co-headlined a North American tour with Hall & Oates and played British Summer Time in Hyde Park and Rock in Rio.
- The Tipping Point World Tour (May 2022 to August 2023): opened in Cincinnati with Garbage as support. In July 2022 Curt Smith broke four ribs in an accident, and the remaining 2022 dates, including the UK leg, were canceled. A second North American part, announced in April 2023 with Cold War Kids in support, included Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2023, and closed at the Hollywood Bowl.
- 2024: summer festival dates in the UK and Europe and a North American run.
The pattern is a band that tours in concentrated summer runs, mostly in North America, with festival dates in Europe.
Where to sit for Tears for Fears
Since most North American dates are at amphitheaters, the seating choice usually comes down to the reserved pavilion versus the lawn.
Amphitheaters
- Reserved pavilion, center sections: the best seats for this show. The roof covers you if it rains, the sound is mixed for this area, and the view of both singers is direct.
- Pavilion side sections: fine for sound, but the far-side singer can be hard to see at a steep angle.
- Rear pavilion rows: some sheds have a roof overhang that cuts off the top of the stage screens from the last rows. Check the venue's seating map.
- Lawn (general admission grass behind the pavilion): the value choice for a relaxed summer night. Bring a blanket if the venue allows it, arrive early for a spot near the center, and expect the screens to carry the view.
Arenas and showcase venues
At arenas such as Madison Square Garden, lower-bowl seats facing the stage beat close side sections, since the duo often performs from opposite sides of the stage. At the Hollywood Bowl, center boxes and the front benches give the best balance of view and sound.
How demand for Tears for Fears tickets behaves
Tears for Fears has a broad, loyal following that tends to buy early and often in pairs or groups.
- Weekend summer dates sell first. Friday and Saturday amphitheater shows usually move before weeknights.
- Landmark venues carry extra weight. Shows at Madison Square Garden or the Hollywood Bowl draw more demand than a regular shed date in the same region.
- Pavilion seats go before the lawn. Reserved inventory near the stage moves first, while lawn tickets often stay available closer to the date.
- Tour gaps add urgency. The duo tours in concentrated runs with breaks between them, so fans tend to buy rather than wait for the next tour.
Resale prices can sit above or below face value and usually move as the show approaches. GoodSeats orders ship free. For announcements from the band, see Tears for Fears' official site.
Frequently asked questions
Who is in Tears for Fears?
Tears for Fears is Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, who formed the duo in Bath, England, in 1981. They tour with a full backing band.
What are Tears for Fears' biggest hits?
"Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" both reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Both come from the 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair.
What venues does Tears for Fears play?
Recent North American tours played mostly amphitheaters and pavilions, plus arenas such as Madison Square Garden and showcase venues such as the Hollywood Bowl.
Is the lawn worth it at a Tears for Fears show?
The lawn is the value option and suits a relaxed summer night, but the view depends on the screens. Reserved pavilion seats near center are better for seeing both singers.
Is there a Tears for Fears live album?
Yes. Songs for a Nervous Planet was recorded on July 11, 2023, in Franklin, Tennessee, during the Tipping Point World Tour and released in 2024.