Live music review: Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett is back with a new record
Australia has long produced standout rock talent – Amyl & The Sniffers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Chats, and legacy legends AC/DC among them, proving rock and roll thrives down under no matter what generation is listening. For Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett, the past decade yielded indie rock anthems full of emotional honesty and millennial angst. With 2026 LP Creature of Habit marking her first full-length since 2021, Barnett reunited with her band to feed live music fans once again. She opened her North American tour in Austin at Radio East on Friday night with a rain-soaked evening of sing-alongs and good vibes.
Following a day full of torrential rain, it turned into a guessing game for fans whether the outdoor gig in Southeast Austin’s industrial area would go on as planned. With this being an event on Radio’s premier main stage that only appears for top-selling shows and festivals, a sold-out crowd wasn’t going to let some nasty Spring weather get in the way of seeing Barnett and her trusted trio perform. Thankfully, the night went on as planned, and the rock commenced.
Barnett’s backing band consists of bassist Bones Sloane and drummer Dave Mudie. Even with just three on stage, Barnett and her crew wield dynamic intensity and full-bodied loudness. The setlist, dotted with beloved blogosphere anthems including her debut LP Sometimes I Just Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit, ensures every fan casual or diehard can something to celebrate in their performances.
Given the all-day rainstorm, door staff informed some attendees that there were droves of ticket buyers who did not check in at the door on Friday evening for the Australian singer’s tour-opening Austin stop. Nonetheless, folks happily swarmed the main stage and kicked up the mud for a 90-minute musical excursion that featured a career-spanning setlist.
The 18-track journey was dominated by her new Creature record and an array of older songs, it could be tough at times to tell the new from the old as fans sang along to the new material, as they did the older hits. Barnett fans stay nostalgic while still moving on to the next thing. That’s always a good sign of a healthy fanbase.
Barnett’s graciousness towards her audiences is an affirming affair to behold; she makes her way out onto the touring circuit when the creative work suits the moment. Given her steady but worthwhile output, the projects don’t see the light of day unless deemed essential. If this is the last of her we’ll see in the ATX until that next cycle, it will be well worth the wait.
Courtney Barnett continues to tour throughout the year. Tickets are available on her website.
All photos by Drew Doggett
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