Bob Evans Reveals 'Suburban Songbook' 20th Anniversary Australian Tour

Mary Varvaris

“I’m really excited to revisit this album and all the songs that kind of fell off the setlist over the years,” Bob Evans said.

Bob Evans(Credit: Sophie Howarth)

Bob Evans

Bob Evans is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his second solo album, Suburban Songbook, with a massive national tour.

The side project of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell, Bob Evans cemented itself as more than a side project with Suburban Songbook, which debuted at #15 on the ARIA Albums Chart, was nominated for the Australian Music Prize, and won the Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 2006 ARIA Awards.

Featuring the hit singles Don’t You Think It’s Time and Nowhere Without You, the album immediately made an impact on Australian audiences, having been certified Gold.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Suburban Songbook, the full Bob Evans band will perform the album in its entirety with a tour across the country this September and October. Plus, a special anniversary edition of the album lands on streaming services and will be released on vinyl on Friday, 4 September.

The tour begins at Perth’s Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, 5 September. It continues at Melbourne’s Howler on Friday, 16 October, Adelaide’s Lion Arts Factory on Thursday, 22 October, Brisbane’s Crowbar on Friday, 23 October, and concludes at Sydney’s Crowbar on Saturday, 24 October.

Tickets are available now via the Bob Evans website, where you can also pre-order/pre-save the 20th anniversary edition of Suburban Songbook.

Reflecting on the period of recording Suburban Songbook, Evans mused, “When I think back to going to Nashville in 2005 to make the record and the whole two years that followed the album's release, it does feel like a whole other life almost.

“I was coming fresh out of 10 years with Jebediah, and even though I had been working on the Bob Evans thing for a while, it was always a side project that was never very serious. But with Suburban Songbook, things were getting much more serious, both creatively and professionally.

“I guess when I think back to that time, I see someone who is still a kid but not for very much longer. It was very much a transitional time of my life. I feel way older now!”

Looking towards the tour, he added, “I’m really excited to revisit this album and all the songs that kind of fell off the setlist over the years. For example, a song like Don’t Walk Alone is one that I barely ever played again once the album tour had finished, but it is one of my favourite songs on the album. It’s just one that doesn't translate well solo.

“I’ve assembled a really wonderful group of players for this tour, and so recreating the album with a full band will be awesome. I’m also excited to see how the record still resonates with people after so long.”