Latitude 2016
Latitude 2016: Courtney Barnett
Sometimes she sits and thinks, and sometimes she just sits, and sometimes she lets loose completely.
Giving voice to inner turmoil and form to wry observation, Courtney Barnett speaks directly to everyone who cares to listen. But taking to the main stage at Henham Park, the Australian musician barely says a word. Not that she needs to - the music does all the talking for her, and the audience are clamouring to hear.
Live, her songs are different beasts almost entirely. Famed for her witty lyricisms, it might seem odd that her words should take a back seat, but as the distortion of ‘Scotty Says’ leads into the contagious refrains of ‘Debby Downer’, the only thing that seems to matter is the music and how it makes you move.
This isn’t to say that they lyrics don’t still hammer home. ‘Depreston’ is transformed into something of an anthem, lyrics ringing out all across the festival field. ‘Pedestrian At Best’ sees Courtney’s internal monologue tear free into an rallying cry voiced by everyone present.
As Courtney and her band cut loose on stage, the audience lose themselves in the music, pulling all manner of eccentric shapes as the rhythms take hold. The driving distortion of ‘Small Poppies’ incites a particularly zealous crowd member to rock out so hard his headband flies through the air. During ‘Elevator Operator’ a group of gentlemen in suited and booted attire shake off all sense of composure. ‘Kim’s Caravan’ sees Courtney sinking to her knees as the riffs she’s playing overpower everything else.
Rawer, wilder, and verging on the edge of chaos, the performance tears free of expectation and lets everyone’s innate instincts take hold. Throwing their arms around each other as they leave the stage, there isn’t an experience that provides or stimulates more thrill.
Records, etc at
Courtney Barnett - Things Take Time, Take Time (Vinyl LP - black)
Courtney Barnett - Things Take Time, Take Time (Cd)
Courtney Barnett - The Double EP - A Sea of Split Peas (Vinyl LP - green)
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Vinyl LP)
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Vinyl LP - black)
Courtney Barnett - End of the Day (Music from the Film Anonymous Club) (Vinyl LP - red)
Read More
Courtney Barnett - End Of The Day
3 Stars
‘End of the Day’ feels like a long, slow goodbye to her old life; elegant and, given the context, elegiac.
6th September 2023, 7:51am
Courtney Barnett reveals plans for new instrumental album, ‘End Of The Day’
The Australian artist has also shared the record’s first three tracks.
11th July 2023, 12:48pm
Courtney Barnett unveils video for ‘If I Don’t Hear From You Tonight’
It comes ahead of the release of her new album 'Things Take Time, Take Time'.
10th November 2021, 12:00am
Steady As She Goes: Courtney Barnett
A slower pace and more than a little self-reflection paved the way for ‘Things Take Time, Take Time’: a third album that finds Courtney Barnett shedding the cynicism and making room for joy.
8th November 2021, 3:00pm
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.