With a sound that’s part grunge, part slacker rock with a twist of country storytelling, it’s hard to pigeonhole Courtney Barnett. Her rambling, deadpan style has had the music community divided since her rise to fame over the last two years. Love her or hate her, after selling out four consecutive nights at the Corner Hotel, it seems many are endeared by Barnett’s honest and self-depreciating approach to songwriting.
The night had a strong sense of community, with plenty of local talent and lyrical shout outs to High Street, Epping and Preston. Of course Barnett’s witty storytelling has stretched further than just the streets of Melbourne, with appearances at Coachella and Glastonbury and a guest spot on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is astonishing considering how uniquely Australian so many of Barnett’s songs are.
Kicking off the night was fellow Milk! Records (a label founded by Barnett) artist Fraser A. Gorman, showcasing his breezy folk tunes. Gorman even brought Stu Mackenzie (of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard fame) on stage to provide a flute solo. Following Gorman and warming things up for the main woman herself was loop pedal extraordinaire D.D. Dumbo, who commanded almost hypnotic attention, playing bursts of drums, recorder and even pan flute.
By the time Barnett took the stage, the venue was absolutely crammed with punters eagerly waiting to hear Barnett’s tales of bleak suburban life, relationships, differing pronunciations, Christopher Walken, gardening and anaphylactic attacks. Each member of the crowd seemed to have their own favourite track, which saw them frantically dance along and belt out their favourite lines. What resulted was a high level of energy that lasted the entirety of the set. Avant Gardener, the track that kickstarted Barnett’s rise to fame, was met with delight, with the whole crowd chiming in for lines such as “She thinks I’m clever cause I play guitar / I think she’s clever cause she stops people dying.” Even the yet-to-be-released Depreston, about house hunting in Preston, had people singing along, amazing Barnett who exclaimed “I have no idea how you guys know the words to that song.”
What became clear by the end of the night is that people cannot get enough of Courtney Barnett. Her “tell it like it is” approach to songwriting provides a refreshing break from the flood of formulaic lyrics that find their home on music charts. With a debut album on the way next year, it’s unlikely this is the last we’ll hear from Miss Barnett. And all this from someone who this time last year was pouring beers at Northcote Social Club.
BY KELSEY BERRY
Loved: Fraser A. Gorman selling tea towels at the merch stand.
Hated: Paying for the cab home – shit’s expensive.
