Live: Courtney Barnett @ Electric Ballroom

by | Apr 13, 2015

“Sorry about that, I just needed a lie down” Courtney Barnett declares after playing the end of a song lying on her back for a couple minutes. Tonight is the second of two headline shows at Electric Ballroom, a considerable feat for a musician that just became known outside of her native Australia roughly a year ago.

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom - April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom – April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

The audience in the front few rows adores her as much as you’d expect, frequently yelling out her name and “I love you!” but the singalong and clap-along that ensues during the sweetly downbeat Depreston is surprising for an album (Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit) that came out less than a month ago and  Barnett herself,  who seems slightly taken aback, exclaims “You know the words!” when the song is over.

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom - April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom – April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

She saves the familiar (to anyone with a passing interest in 6 Music) Avant Gardener and History Eraser for the end with her latest single Pedestrian At Best going down a treat as the finale. What is notable live is that most songs build to a great climax so that by the end, she and bassist Bones Sloane thrash around, creating a great visual counterpoint to her relaxed vocal delivery.

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom - April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Bones Sloane playing bass with Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom – April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Something this frequent concert-goer has never seen at a gig is a life-size version of the album cover art near the bar, complete with a yellow chair on which fans take turns having their photo taken. This lovely gesture encapsulates Barnett’s approachable version of rock and roll with its relatable themes and ideas.

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom - April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Courtney Barnett at Electric Ballroom – April 10, 2015 (Rachel Lipsitz)

Photography and Review by Rachel Lipsitz. Courtney Barnett @ Electric Ballroom. London 10th April.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000nM0sVIAsSQ0″ g_name=”Courtney-Barnett” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Rachel also has her own great website here: http://www.littletrousers.com/

Here is the full set here: http://rockshot.photoshelter.com/gallery/Courtney-Barnett/G0000nM0sVIAsSQ0

The K's (Press)

The K’s – ‘Our Sights Are Set At The Top. We’re Definitely Aiming For The Big Boy Leagues.’

The K’s are one of the most exciting breakout British bands of 2024. Hailing from a small working class town between...
Lorde (Talia Chetrit)

Lorde Announces 2025 ‘Ultrasound’ World Tour Dates Including Stop At London’s O2 Arena

Alt-pop icon Lorde has officially announced her long-awaited return to the global stage with the Ultrasound 2025 headline tour, marking her biggest and most ambitious live run yet. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the reveal of her upcoming fourth studio album, Virgin, due out on 27th June.

Henge performing at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea

Henge Bring Psychedelic Rock From Parts Unknown To Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms

Recently, the dirty deeds of squillionaires running their private space tourism businesses, and the world laughing at...
Yungblud (Tom Pallant)

YUNGBLUD Announces Bold Fourth Studio Album ‘Idols’

British rock trailblazer Dominic Harrison – AKA YUNGBLUD – has officially announced his highly anticipated fourth...
REEF (Press)

REEF Celebrate 30 Years Of ‘Replenish’ With UK Anniversary Tour

In a year packed with big anniversaries and nostalgic reunions, one of Britain’s most beloved rock acts is marking a...
Wolf Alice (Press)

Wolf Alice Return With Euphoric New Single ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’

London’s genre-defying quartet Wolf Alice have returned in full bloom with their new single, Bloom Baby Bloom—a vibrant, effervescent track that signals a fresh chapter for one of Britain’s most dynamic modern rock bands. Released after a period of relative silence since their Mercury Prize-winning 2021 album Blue Weekend, the single has sent ripples through the alternative scene, sparking excitement about what might be next for the group.

Pet Needs (Vanessa Söllner)

Pet Needs Are Primetime Entertainment At The Old Church

It’s lunchtime in sunny Stoke Newington, the part of London that really feels like a village. Most of the crowd lined up outside the historic Old Church are making this the first stop on their weekend, and as they mingle among the old tombstones with beers in hand, the anticipation is fizzing in the air. For the fourth year in a row, Pet Needs are about to kick off their Fractured Party weekender, and we’ve so far beyond ready for it.

Alice Phoebe Lou @ Roundhouse (Sam Eve)

Alice Phoebe Lou Enchants London At The Roundhouse

On Friday, 2nd May, 2025, the Roundhouse in London played host to a spellbinding performance by South African-born...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing