Courtney Barnett returns to Kansas City as a Creature of Habit

2 hours ago

Alex Agueros,

Courtney Barnett. // photo by Alex Agueros

Nearly every selection from Courtney Barnett’s most recent album sounded at home adjacent to the musician’s best songs in front of a full-but-not-packed crowd Saturday, August 15, at The Truman in Kansas City.

Since her full-length debut 11 years ago, plainspoken insights into the emotional scope of Barnett’s search for well-being have made the Australian indie rocker essential listening. It’s a testament to the strength of her three-piece touring band, infectious anxieties and signature self-effacing sense of humor, that celebrating her music in-person is the furthest thing from a bummer.

Releasing her fourth solo album, Creature of Habit, in March, Barnett peppered the entirety of its track list across the two-hour set. Album opener “Stay In Your Lane” set an upbeat pace that accelerated with the driving force of Tell Me How You Really Feel‘s “City Looks Pretty.”

Courtney Barnett. // photo by Alex Agueros

“Despreston,” punctuated Habit standouts “Another Beautiful Day” and lead single “Site Unseen,” while “Elevator Operator,” the opener to her breakout debut Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, preceded “Sugar Plum,” and “Wonder,” two songs equipped with signature singalong potential.

“I’m in over my head,” Barnett repeats before launching her voice across the bridge like shooting star. “I’m looking forward to some brighter days!”

Zoh Amba, who started the night with a set of free jazz and dark, folk-infused curtains of rock music, reintroduced their saxophone to provide an avant-garde flavor to Barnett’s instrumental jam, “Canned Tomatoes (Whole).”

While that appearance represented the highest intensity level of the night, Barnett’s advanced guitar playing and bandmates Bones Sloane (bass), Stella Mozgawa (drums) effortlessly turned up the volume on “Small Poppies,” “Need a Little Time,” and “One Thing at a Time,” which served as the pre-encore finale.

“I did lie to you,” Barnett joked, before her encore set of “Mostly Patient,” “Pedestrian at Best,” and “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party.”

All photos by Alex Agueros

Courtney Barnett setlist
Stay In Your Lane
City Looks Pretty
Avant Gardener
Small Poppies
Mantis
Canned Tomatoes (Whole) (with Zoh Amba)
Same
History Eraser
Need a Little Time
Another Beautiful Day
Depreston
Site Unseen
Great Advice
Elevator Operator
Sugar Plum
Wonder
Before You Gotta Go
Write a List of Things to Look Forward To
One Thing at a Time
—
Mostly Patient (Solo)
Pedestrian at Best
Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party