Courtney Barnett and her band took to the stage at O2 ABC. The same night N-Dubz’s Dappy played downstairs.
It was always going to be tough competition, but as Barnett, drummer Dave Mudie and bassist Andrew “Bones” Sloane walked on stage to Nick Cave playing on the PA, I knew I had made the right choice in skipping bad grime tonight.
Barnett’s three piece took no hesitation in bursting into a hat-trick of hits with ‘Elevator Operator’, ‘Avant Gardener’ and ‘Dead Fox’ in quick succession. While some of the styling of the live tracks altered to those on the EP and album, they still had us standing in awe like human putty in their hands.
Barnett’s inspiring and honest lyrics that turn everyday happenings into bewitching pieces of musical artistry permeated the stage and had the audience singing in unison to the likes of ‘Depreston’ and ‘Debbie Downer’ off her critically acclaimed ‘Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit’ which has made its way onto numerous ‘Best Albums of 2015’ lists.
Throughout, Barnett stands to the left of the stage, making equal room for her two other band members showcasing the Melbourne native’s eagerness to share the limelight with those willing to perform with her. The constant energy of the three-piece was mesmerising to an audience hanging on every word, strum and hit of the snare.
Things climaxed at a powerful rendition of a personal favourite ‘Kim’s Caravan’ where, as Barnett convulses on the stage floor shredding on her left-handed guitar, the audience shouts repeatedly in hypnotic unison “So take what you want from me!” as if Barnett was our wise and prophetic cult leader with an Australian accent.
For her final trick Barnett brought in back-up in the form of the Big Scary to cover fellow Aussie band The Saint’s mosh-pit inducing, anti-advertising punk anthem ‘Know Your Product’.
Barnett and co. finish their set with the energy they began with, pleasing a crowd with a loud and proud version of ‘Pedestrian at Best’ that had me jumping so high I was told I looked like a migrating salmon.
Barnett showcased just why she’s earned her four awards, including Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards and provided a powerful and authentic rock performance to her adoring Glasgow fans.
So much so that the guy vaping what smelled like vanilla essence throughout the entirety of the gig directly in front of me didn’t even ruin my buzz.
Courtney Bartnett’s official website
Courtney Bartnett on Facebook
Featured photo credit: Courtney Barnett’s Facebook page
