Join me, Robert John Hadfield, as we step back into 1985 with one of the greatest bands of the era — Tears for Fears. In this episode, I uncover a vintage newspaper concert review written just months after Songs from the Big Chair was released.

We’ll relive the energy of that night — the sweat-soaked crowd, the setlist filled with unforgettable hits like Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Shout, Head Over Heels, and Mad World — and see just how quickly Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith went from coffee-house hopefuls to stadium-packing superstars.

I’ll also share my own story of seeing Tears for Fears live at Red Rocks decades later, an experience that completely reignited my appreciation for their music. Along the way, we’ll compare their rise with other 80s icons like Duran Duran, Prince, and Madonna, and explore how English new wave reshaped American pop culture.

If you grew up with these songs or ever saw them live, I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. Which Tears for Fears song is your favorite? And did you realize just how many hits they had packed into their setlists?

🎶 Let’s rediscover Tears for Fears at the peak of their powers.