Bernard Fanning: Tea & Sympathy 20th Anniversary Tour

The tour follows the sold out anniversary show at QPAC in Brisbane where Fanning will perform Tea & Sympathy in full for the first time in twenty years, and today’s release of 20th Anniversary editions of the album. Tonight’s QPAC show sold out within two minutes of tickets going on sale and fans are encouraged to be quick to make sure they don’t miss out. 

Joining Bernard will be his special guests Sam Cromack* (Ball Park Music) and Georgia Mooney (All Our Exes Live in Texas). ** Bob Evans will also be joining the line up for the Perth show. 

Bernard said, “It’s such a privilege to have made a record that people connected with on such a deep, personal level. I have had so many people tell me that it changed their lives. As an artist that is one of the things that you hope for. Playing these songs live has always been a communal experience, with the audience sharing in both the intimacy and the full-throated sing-along glory of the songs. 

He added “It’s such a joy to be taking another lap around our country to play Tea & Sympathy again. We’ve got most of the original band back together and can’t wait to play this record front to back in some of the country’s most iconic venues. Having Sam and Georgia along just triples the fun” 

All shows will be all ages with those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. 

One of the truly great debut ’non-skip’ albums of the last 20 years, Tea & Sympathy reminded us of the power of storytelling and of music’s ability to bind us — heart to heart, coast to coast. 

Tea & Sympathy was released on 31 October 2005 and debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart on release and went on to collect three ARIA Awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year, and garnered Fanning APRA’s Songwriter of the Year Award in 2006. Featuring tracks like, Wish You Well, which topped the triple j Hottest 100 in 2005, as well as Songbird, Watch Over Me and Thrill is Gone, the album showcased Fanning’s lyrical depth and emotional range, establishing him as a powerhouse solo artist alongside the success of Powderfinger.  

Special anniversary editions of Tea & Sympathy have been released on both vinyl and CD today. The reissues include updated artwork and rare archival content. The double vinyl release also includes special renditions, giving fans a unique way to revisit or discover the album two decades on. 

Bernard has also revisited Watch Over Me with Kasey Chambers and Clare Bowditch on the anniversary release. Reimagined at his Brooklet Studio with Nick DiDia, and released last week, the track captures the emotional heart of their iconic 2006 ARIA Awards performance. Arriving a week ahead of the album’s anniversary release and sold-out QPAC show, it’s a quiet reminder of why many regard him among Australia’s finest storytellers.