It’s been a huge couple of months for Melbourne’s own Courtney Barnett.
After playing shows in London, Paris, and across America, award nominations, and prominent features on the influential Pitchfork and Stereogum, it seems Barnett is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Her homecoming show, which also served to launch the EP How To Carve A Carrot Into A Rose, typified the immense talent and hard work that has made these recent successes thoroughly deserved.
Locals Teeth & Tongue, the brainchild of Jess Cornelius, opened the night with the frontwoman’s strong and enthralling vocals taking centrestage. Backed by a four-piece band, Cornelius created layered and atmospheric pop, with small and subtle electronic elements which, at times, built up to form a complex wall of noise.
Playing to an already packed crowd, Teeth & Tongue delivered a coherent and flowing set that had the bustling masses more than ready for the triumphant return of Barnett.
Located at the Abbotsford Convent, the Shadow Electric offers an entirely unique setting. The cosy and charming live venue more resembles a house party gig. With table tennis tables and a burger van parked outside, the bar had more than enough activities to keep the sold out crowd entertained during the set break.
People perched precariously on chairs and tables to catch a glimpse of the songstress. Courtney Barnett finally strode onto the small stage, opening with ‘Lance Jr’, the first track from her debut EP, I’ve Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris.
Backed by the three-piece band affectionately dubbed ‘The Courtney Barnetts’ and featuring Dan Luscombe of The Drones fame on guitar, Barnett greeted the tightly packed crowd with a modest “thanks” – a sign that she is yet to fully come to terms with her increasingly growing and vocal fan base.
Every song was given a special makeover with a heavier, louder sound and wonderfully subtle and intricate guitar lines added by Luscombe.
‘Are You Looking After Yourself?’ gradually built up to a crescendo before quickly stripping down to just Barnett’s guitar and soft vocals, complemented by perfect harmonies from the Courtney Barnetts. It was eventually reduced to just a solitary bass drone, working back to an explosion finish. It’s a complex and expertly crafted song, one that fully displays everything that is brilliant about Barnett’s music.
“Hi everyone. These are our songs, and this is a new song,” Barnett revealed before giving the adoring audience an insight into her hugely anticipated debut album with another wonderfully punny title, ‘Depreston’.
The new song is much in the same vein as her previous work, with drawled, observational and witty lyrics that we’ve come to expect from the young songwriter, along with inventive and interesting instrumentation.
Barnett hardly mentions her recent endeavors, simply saying “Thanks for being here, I don’t think I know a lot of you, which is a nice change,” signaling her growing and well-deserved popularity.
The four on stage were completely in sync, swaying in time and working off the other’s energy. There’s definitely an extra edge to Barnett’s sound live. It somehow manages to feel rawer, yet at the same time just as refined and carefully crafted as on the recordings.
Barnett’s two biggest songs to date, ‘History Eraser’ and ‘Avant Gardner’, were played back-to-back, delivering a powerful and undeniable insight into just why her music is so appealing. They are effortlessly catchy, with simple riffs and melodies that are precisely arranged, complemented brilliantly by her now trademark lyrics drenched with local references – some of which were just down the road from the Shadow Electric.
‘Anonymous Club’ brought the main set to a close. The song displayed a slower, quieter side to the Melbourne-based musician, fading out with harmonies from Barnett and Luscombe.
After persistent cheers and not one person leaving the venue, Barnett promptly returned, playing ‘Ode To Odetta’, originally a duet solo. It was a beautiful and delicate performance that showcased the illustrious and diverse talents of the musicians.
The rest of the band returned for the final song of the night, ‘Scotty Says’, which descended into a chaotic, detuned mess that somehow managed to make perfect sense.
Earlier in the night, Barnett admitted, “We’ve never really had a sold out show. There’s so many people, I don’t know what to say”. Judging by the overwhelming reaction on the night and the increased attention across the world, she may need to get used to playing shows far bigger.
