22 Dec 2024
Gig Review: Courtney Barnett @ The Powerstation, Auckland - 28/08/2018
29 Aug 2018 // A review by Paul Goddard
I love watching support bands. For some people, they are an excuse to stay in whatever bar, house or car they are preloading in for a little bit longer, but I love the unexpected. I like to be surprised and these guys have a name that conjures up some very specific preconceptions. For the uninitiated (like me) East Brunswick All Girls' Choirare not all girls and they definitely are not a choir. Well, not in the godly sense anyway. Apparently last time they played NZ the bar crapped itself as it thought there would be a huge rider for all the Choir members.
I overheard a pre-gig conversation tonight in Galbraith's where most of the pre-loaders are hanging out tonight, that went something along the lines of “What the fuck is a choir doing supporting Courtney Barnett?” Luckily the response was “don’t worry if she picked them to support it will be good”. Oh, how the masses are confused bytxt and words.
Then the EBAGC (sorry it's a long name) settle into the journey. They play country like Jack White plays blues and the vibe gets a little more chilled. We meander for a while then someone hits the dial on the radio and we are back into a drum-led trippy blast of psychedelia that gets the crowd engaged. The tempo stays upbeat until we reach the end. 45 mins from A to B with some highlights and some sleepy moments, where watching the crowd was more interesting than watching the stage.
The perfect openers for Courtney Barnett, but with a little more gas, the EBAGC could go so much further.
It has taken years of hard work for Courtney Barnett to be here tonight. Last time I saw her was at the now-defunct St James Theatre in Auckland. Tonight is the overspill show, as the original gig (Tuesday) sold out, is a testament to her growing popularity, which is well deserved.
Her journey from the guitarist in Melbourne grunge band Rapid Transit back in 2010 to a globe-trotting, critically acclaimed songstress has been achieved via the “old school” route of “bloody hard work”. Her vocal style is not forced and is as honest and direct as many of her observational lyrics. Not unlike Alex Turner, Courtney can turn the everyday mundanity of life into a chart-topping sing-along.
Tonight, Courtney and her bandenter the stage to a huge cheer and without any showy glitz or glamour, they ease into need a little time. It builds along with the crowd. So simple but beautiful.
The rock/grunge influence is woven throughout Courtney's music. She is more Kurt Cobain than Courtney Love and this adds an energy to the poetry of her music as she shakes and twists through the opening songs like an alt-country Joan Jett. There is a laid-back aggression that really shines on small poppies where she really unleashes, and the band are clearly tight from constant gigging. From here on in they have the crowd hooked and what follows is a sublime lesson in songwriting meets performance without any distractions.
It’s heavy and mellow, chilled and angry. Some might say this isdumb rock with smart lyrics but there is more to it. It’s an honesty without the pretentiousness that permeates her performance and ultimately connects.
A laid-back Depreston sees the first sing-along of the night and once again keeps building on what has gone before. It's a perfectly paced set pulling on all the influences including a cover of Neil Young/Elyse Weinberg's Houses which fits perfectly even though it was written 50 years ago.
The encore sees Courtney on her own and showcases her pick less guitar playing style before the rest of the band join her to close off the night with a blistering Pedestrian At Best.
I have to admit I haven’t got around to buying the latest album Tell Me How You Really Feel, but after tonight’s performance, I will and so should you. The effortless mix of humour, intelligence, style and a general “I don’t give a fuck” attitude is infectious tonight and can’t help but make you smile.
Courtney is one of those rare performers who can just let the music do the talking. She connected with the 1500+ people soaking up the vibes and would equally connect with 200 people in a bar or 20,000 people at the many festivals she has played recently. No need for a revolving stage set, costume changes, dancers, pyrotechnics this is all about the music and Courtney knows exactly how to get that across. Let’s hope she just keeps on keeping on.
Reviewwritten by Paul Goddard
I love watching support bands. For some people, they are an excuse to stay in whatever bar, house or car they are preloading in for a little bit longer, but I love the unexpected. I like to be surprised and these guys have a name that conjures up some very specific preconceptions. For the uninitiated (like me) East Brunswick All Girls' Choir
I overheard a pre-gig conversation tonight in Galbraith's where most of the pre-loaders are hanging out tonight, that went something along the lines of “What the fuck is a choir doing supporting Courtney Barnett?” Luckily the response was “don’t worry if she picked them to support it will be good”. Oh, how the masses are confused by
Then the EBAGC (sorry it's a long name) settle into the journey. They play country like Jack White plays blues and the vibe gets a little more chilled. We meander for a while then someone hits the dial on the radio and we are back into a drum-led trippy blast of psychedelia that gets the crowd engaged. The tempo stays upbeat until we reach the end. 45 mins from A to B with some highlights and some sleepy moments, where watching the crowd was more interesting than watching the stage.
The perfect openers for Courtney Barnett, but with a little more gas, the EBAGC could go so much further.
It has taken years of hard work for Courtney Barnett to be here tonight. Last time I saw her was at the now-defunct St James Theatre in Auckland. Tonight is the overspill show, as the original gig (Tuesday) sold out, is a testament to her growing popularity, which is well deserved.
Her journey from the guitarist in Melbourne grunge band Rapid Transit back in 2010 to a globe-trotting, critically acclaimed songstress has been achieved via the “old school” route of “bloody hard work”. Her vocal style is not forced and is as honest and direct as many of her observational lyrics. Not unlike Alex Turner, Courtney can turn the everyday mundanity of life into a chart-topping sing-along.
Tonight, Courtney and her band
The rock/grunge influence is woven throughout Courtney's music. She is more Kurt Cobain than Courtney Love and this adds an energy to the poetry of her music as she shakes and twists through the opening songs like an alt-country Joan Jett. There is a laid-back aggression that really shines on small poppies where she really unleashes, and the band are clearly tight from constant gigging. From here on in they have the crowd hooked and what follows is a sublime lesson in songwriting meets performance without any distractions.
It’s heavy and mellow, chilled and angry. Some might say this is
A laid-back Depreston sees the first sing-along of the night and once again keeps building on what has gone before. It's a perfectly paced set pulling on all the influences including a cover of Neil Young/Elyse Weinberg's Houses which fits perfectly even though it was written 50 years ago.
The encore sees Courtney on her own and showcases her pick less guitar playing style before the rest of the band join her to close off the night with a blistering Pedestrian At Best.
I have to admit I haven’t got around to buying the latest album Tell Me How You Really Feel, but after tonight’s performance, I will and so should you. The effortless mix of humour, intelligence, style and a general “I don’t give a fuck” attitude is infectious tonight and can’t help but make you smile.
Courtney is one of those rare performers who can just let the music do the talking. She connected with the 1500+ people soaking up the vibes and would equally connect with 200 people in a bar or 20,000 people at the many festivals she has played recently. No need for a revolving stage set, costume changes, dancers, pyrotechnics this is all about the music and Courtney knows exactly how to get that across. Let’s hope she just keeps on keeping on.
Review
Other Reviews By Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight - EP Review: Dream Season
19 Jul 2024 // by Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight have been around a while and been through a lot. Spawned in NZ and now based in the U S of A it has been a journey full of highs and lows.
Read More...
The Dirty Tones - Album Review: Sweet Thang
23 May 2024 // by Paul Goddard
For me, Blues music is the real soul music. It has storytelling like Country and folk music and passion like Rock music, but at its core it gives a window into the soul of the people creating it.
Read More...
Sam Cullen - EP Review: Love Again
18 Apr 2024 // by Paul Goddard
When I first heard this brand-new EP from Invercargill native Sam Cullen, I was immediately reminded of another famous Sam who has an equally famous last name (Fender).The four songs on the Love Again EP have a familiarity and similarity with roots going back to Springsteen and the well-trodden stadium rock road but there is also something in the songs on Love Again that could only be grown in New Zealand.
Read More...
Skitch Hiker - Single Review: Slippery Wet Handshake
30 Jun 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Wow.Just when you have given up on music and banging your head against a brick wall wondering why Taylor Swift is more popular than toilet roll during a pandemic something like this comes along.
Read More...
Retro Valley - Single Review: Backseat Lovers
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Right from the opening bars of Backseat Lovers by Hamilton-based Retro Valley it is clear that this song is pure class.This 3-minute tune is a next-level lesson in how to create, perform and produce a pop/indie classic.
Read More...
Murmur Tooth and Lars Moston - Album Review: No Time To Explain
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Collaborations can work. Sometimes they do most of the time they don't.
Read More...
Album Review: Sex Dad's Greatest Hits: The Very Best Of Sex Dad
27 Dec 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Feeling bloated and underwhelmed. Listening to mainstream radio in the car as I left my phone at home.
Read More...
Marrow Neck - EP Review: Made Up
23 Nov 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Sitting here in a very wet and cold, rainy UK watching the oldies falling out of the local Wetherspoons where they have been on the piss since 9am (yep the UK is weird it's only the old people who can afford to get pissed all day).I am reflecting on the past as I listen to the latest EP Made Up from Auckland-based Mark Hannington.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
