Courtney Barnett plays new material in Shoreditch
There’s nowhere in the small basement of Shoreditch’s Ace Hotel for an artist to hide. But being exposed, on a stage level with the crowd, suits Courtney Barnett’s painfully candid slouch-indie. “I masturbated to the songs you wrote,” she begins tonight, “it felt wrong but it just helps me get to sleep”.
A knack for dead pan, witty nailings of life’s mundane observations is Melbourne-based Barnett’s forte. And while sonically, her shambling guitar and breakdowns are casual and smeared, recalling Nirvana, Moldy Peaches and Jeffrey Lewis, it’s her charm and sharp, smart reflections that stop everything from falling apart. “The paramedic thinks I’m clever cos I play guitar, I think she’s clever cos she stops people dying,” she murmurs during “Avant Gardener”, while new song “Depreston” is a drawling ode to house-hunting in a bad part of town.
Don’t be fooled by her shruggingly lazy veneer though. As “History Eraser”’s rapid-fire rambles of crazy, drunken dreams bring the set to a close, Barnett disappears behind a mass of tomboyish curls, ferociously thrashing her guitar – there’s much more get-up-and-go to this gal than your average slacker.
Setlist:
Lance Jr.
Canned Tomatoes (Whole)
David
Are You Looking After Yourself?
Out Of The Woodwork
Depreston
Scotty Says
Avant Gardener
Blah
History Eraser
Photo by Jason Williamson. See the full gallery here.
- The Charlatans announce Dev Hynes co-produced album, We Are Love
- Hotel Lux announce second album, The Bitter Cup
- Mên An Tol share Carlos O'Connell-produced track, "Not Ideal"
- Wicca Phase Springs Eternal announces new album, Mossy Oak Shadow featuring Ethel Cain collaboration
- Toni Sancho details new EP, Declare Me Dead
- Rochelle Jordan announces forthcoming album, Through The Wall
- Die Spitz announce debut album, Something to Consume
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday

Wet Leg
moisturizer

MF Tomlinson
Die To Wake Up From A Dream

BIG SPECIAL
National Average
