Courtney Barnett Roars and Soars at the Kings Theatre

At a time when it seems like the majority of today’s rising singer-songwriters, particularly women, are focusing on low-key, moody and confessional pop songs, Courtney Barnett has opted for an alternate route, charging forward with a strong in-your-face rock portfolio. The Australian rocker quickly gained an international fan base a decade ago with the release of her 2012 debut EP, I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris, and a 2013 compilation album, The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas. Barnett's debut studio album in 2015, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, led to numerous prestigious award nominations. Her current tour promotes her fourth studio album, Creature of Habit, released this past March 27.

While still not a household name, Courtney Barnett sold out the 3250-capacity Kings Theatre on May 9. The stage was dimly lit for most of the performance, and the three musicians’ stations were placed halfway back from the edge of the deep stage. The audience roared when Barnett ripped into extended riffs and walked to the apron of the stage.

Backed by longtime bassist Bones Sloane and new drummer Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint, Barnett’s repertoire consisted of all original songs. It was not quite a retrospective, however, in that half of the program, eight songs, was from the new album. Five songs derived from her debut album, and three songs were from the remainder of her catalog. Barnett performed one song solo, the new “Mostly Patient,” as the first song of a three-song encore; the bassist and drummer helped Barnett power the rest of the performance.

Barnett’s songcrafting was immediately recognized from the start of the performance. Many of her songs were built on a melodic guitar riff, which was the hinge of the song, During the brief pauses between lyrics, Barnett played with these riffs, adding a few flourishes. On occasion, she would roar and soar into a high-energy extended lead.

A closer listen to Barnett’s lyrics revealed that she consistently composes mindful and observant lyrics about everyday life. For instance, her third song of the night, 2013’s "Avant Gardener," detailed an asthma attack during a mundane gardening experience. Although the lyrics seemed to be unvarnished, stream-of-consciousness thoughts, her vocal delivery fed a sense of anxiety into the incident.

Overall, the trio’s performance was loud, muscular, and compelling. The music rocked. Stage presence was weak, though. By playing under dim lights, stationing far from the edge of the stage, and speaking minimally with the audience, Barnett unfortunately created a distancing effect. For her to endear herself with her audience, she might want to consider a warmer approach in her live performances.

Setlist

1. Stay in Your Lane
2. City Looks Pretty
3. Avant Gardener
4. Small Poppies
5. Mantis
6. Site Unseen
7. Great Advice
8. Depreston
9. Elevator Operator
10. Sugar Plum
11. Wonder
12. Before You Gotta Go
13. One Thing at a Time

Encore

1. Mostly Patient
2. Pedestrian at Best
3. Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go to the Party

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

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