Live Review: Jen Cloher, Courtney Barnett, Packwood

Bayden Hine, going by the stage name Packwood, opened with a sepia-toned set of folk ballads and sparse string arrangements executed with subtlety and nuance by himself and his group. His work is heavily influenced by concepts of nature and this obvious respect is channelled into some lovely sounds. On the stage his group was hushed and patient and the gentle plucking of his banjo sounded like rain drops hitting the surface of a still pond. Quiet passages of simple scales and call and response between himself and his group centred our collective chi while other passages of build-up and release sent pleasantly narcotic waves of enjoyment over the audience.

Courtney Barnett joined Jen Cloher for this tour, not only to promote their combined efforts but also to perform her own tunes. Barnett's presence on stage was perhaps a bit more withdrawn than her other counterparts, but it certainly didn't affect her playing. Don't know what it was, but every time she touched her guitar it fucking sang. Barnett is not a highly technical player – and if anything her alt-country sound, not unlike Jason Molina's sadcore champions Songs: Ohia, should in theory demand something with less impact – but every chord, every note, was full and rich with texture and resonated beautifully in the dimly lit club.

Jen Cloher's set was a candid and graceful exploration of personal experience, with narratives concerned with family and memory played with maturity and emotional sophistication. Cloher's a natural conversationalist and her ease at being onstage suited the warmth in her music. Her set occasionally turned up the volume, bursting at the seams in one or two songs with some extended rocking out, but mostly it was just a simple set up of ballads and harmonies, with her considerable talent (and a gorgeous voice) keeping her songs feeling buoyant and fresh.