Courtney Barnett

courtney barnett has been in the UK playing mega stadiums as support act for Foo Fighters, and whilst she was here, she booked two club dates at the 600 capacity The Garage in Highbury Corner. They sold out very quickly, but I was lucky enough to bag a ticket, and early enough to bag a spot at the front on a very hot and sticky night. Fortunately the security were great, and spent most of the gig serving the front rows cups of much needed ice cold water. Courtney was on fine form, backed by her current band of Stella Mozgawa (from the band Warpaint) on drums, and long time bassist Bones Sloane, and played a 90 minute set to a rapturous reception, the passion of which clearly took her by surprise. The set was a mixture of old and new, leaning heavily on recent album 'Things Take Time, Take Time', but it was the oldies that got the biggest roars, like 'Avant Gardener', 'Depreston', 'Pedestrian At Best', Lance Jr, and 'History Eraser'. Courtney made her name as a clever-lyrics indie kid, but live, she showcases her guitar virtuosity, throwing shapes and wrenching sounds from her Fender Jaguar that would impress an 80's metal-head. The between songs banter is, as usual, unfiltered and witty, and this was a unique opportunity to see a major star in a small club venue. Then after a stunning encore of 'Nobody Really Cares if you don't go to the Party' it was all over. Unless you had tickets for night 2 of course!