Ringing in an early New Year with Bob Evans

 Happy New Year everybody!!

Last night’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were very low key. After driving four hours, the heat and feeling a bit sore, I was in no mood to party like it was 1999 (I don’t think I did then either?). And so I opted for spending time on my own, doing what I love. I saw Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah) in the park. At 7.45 pm.

Breaking news: Bob Evans is better than Justin Bieber, according to two young (12 year old?) girls. His new biggest fans. I have some competition. I’m not too worried – I expect to see them at his pub gigs in 2018.

I set out for Yarra Park, which is shaded my the MCG. I felt like the oldest non-parent there. Prior to the show Bob/Kevin did warn me of what I may be in for.

 I am not sure whether I was in time for the Zinger Zongers, but what I did see was bearable – a band heavy on the drums and fire breathing and some breakdancers who had apparently performed with Run DMC and The Black Eyed Peas.

Melbourne’s free NYE celebrations had a gold theme and at Yarra Park, there was gold aplenty – hats, bows, skirts and facepaint. (When I was on the tram I saw a man dressed in a skintight Papa Smurf costume, which was definitely the best costume I’ve ever seen.)

The park was full of kids (and their parents) having a great time! I was almost stabbed with a balloon (problematic due to my latex allergy) and I was asked by an adorable three year old girl to umpire a bouncy ball dispute between her and another toddler. “But I was just plaaaaaaaying with my ball and he took it”, she told me. There were babies dancing in tutus and tweens screaming for Bob Evans. Oh yes. It was incredibly cute and funny. I imagine had I been 12, I would have been hyperventilating too.

He came on the stage and there were squeals of “I love you” and “OMG”. These squeals continued throughout the show, along with hearts made with their hands, and a request for Bob/Kevin to give them his shoes – “my mother wouldn’t be proud of me if I walked the streets of Melbourne with no shoes”, he said, gently quashing these tweens’ hopes of scoring their new favourite rockstar’s shoe.

 

 If you look closely you will see a heart made out of a tween’s hands.

 

I refer to my breaking news above – the tweens declared Bob Evans is better than Justin Bieber. And he asked whether he’s up there with Reece Mastin (the winner of the last season of the Australian X Factor). I couldn’t quite get the tweens’ answer – but I kind of think Reece Mastin sounds like Pink. And people agree with me. Anyway, after the show, MC Denise Scott (Australian comedian and actor), bespeckled in a glittery gold jacket, suggested that the tweens may need some oxygen, and said the NYE party in Yarra Park was like Woodstock for five year olds.

 

So, what did I think of the Bob Evans show? Of course it was fantastic! He played a 45 minute set which included (not in order) Darlin won’t you come?, Nowhere without you, Sadness and whiskey, Hand me downs, Someone so much, Brother oh brother, Turn, Pasha Bulker and Don’t you think it’s time?. His lyrics are so beautiful and I was really reflecting on Don’t you think it’s time? Very fitting for the year that’s just been, and the year ahead.

Don’t you think it’s time
Time to start anew
Time for changing views
Time for making up your mind

Don’t you think it’s time
Time for moving on
Time for growing strong
Time to leave the past behind

You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind
You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind

Don’t you think it’s time
Time for quelling fear
Time for a new year
Time for meaning what you say

Don’t you think it’s time
Time for easing doubt
Time for reaching out
Time to open up your eyes

You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind
You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind

Don’t you think it’s time
Time for trusting more
Without keeping score
Time to let forgiveness out

Don’t you think it’s time
Time for showing grace
Time for having faith
Time to make more of this time

You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind
You’ve been on my mind
Oh you’ve been on my mind”

I caught Melbourne’s Lord Mayor making a very brief speech and then left before the fireworks. While Bob/Kevin went to the Espy in St Kilda to front Jebediah at a more adult show, I was home before 10 pm, feeling a bit sore and sunburnt, and I drifted to sleep listening to This American Life and The Minutes podcasts. At 11.55 pm I awoke to a text message, and then my neighbours starting cheering and the fireworks erupted – I got up out of bed and watched them from my balcony. And more text messages came in. It was a nice night.