Reviewed onThursday January 28 (photo by Ashley Mar)
There’s no venue in Sydney quite like the Twilight at Taronga set-up – maybe even in Australia. As the sun set over the city and revellers of all ages settled into their picnic spots, the atmosphere could not have been warmer. The folks at Taronga Zoo clearly took pride in their welcome to country: so much so, in fact, that the three indigenous performers could well be considered the openers, initiating us with traditional songs and dances that had kids from the crowd already on their feet.
They certainly outshone Jep and Dep, a folk duo whose quips to each other read more like deep-set passive aggression. If it’s an act, they may need to reconsider it. Their droll folk ballads garnered an enthusiastic response from a few isolated members of the crowd – the rest weren’t sad to see them go.
It would be hard to picture Courtney Barnett bearing any such scorn – she and her band stepped out humble as ever onto what she quickly dubbed “the most amazing space I’ve played in”, before diving straight into the set.
The funny thing about Barnett’s records is the simplicity of her song structures, which belie what a rock god she is when playing live. Wild-haired and completely pick-free (with the bleeding digits to prove it), her sleepy dolewave demeanour disappeared and Barnett emerged like the riot grrrls’ second coming. In a few select moments it was as if she were channelling Gareth Liddiard. Her kick-arse band, made up of the two Aussiest blokes you’ll ever see (Andrew ‘Bones’ Sloane and Dave Mudie), delivered the goods without drawing the spotlight.
Sound issues made it tough for those at the stage edge, including a broken speaker, but they hardly cared and an efficient crew made short work of it. In typically endearing fashion, Barnett made an awkward attempt at banter through the brief delays, even offering to play Tame Impala songs just to save her from talking.
Probably wise, as ‘Pedestrian At Best’, ‘History Eraser’ and ‘Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party’ gave the impression that we can expect a radio-friendly single about the values of Lemsip from her any moment now. That’s her real magic – even at her rock star best, she still feels like your mate Courtney sharing a picnic blanket with you at the zoo.
The enormous fireworks display over the Quay didn’t hurt either. Top that, Enmore.
