Live Review: Courtney Barnett, DD Dumbo, Mosman Alder

The recent ramp up in popularity of the headliner means that tonight’s show is not only sold out, but also that a healthy crowd has turned out early to see local six-piece Mosman Alder show off material from recent debut long-player Humdrum Star.

It’s all textured and polished with ambitious arrangements, and tunes like Home Again and set closer Colours showcase a clear progression in both songcraft and delivery.

Rising indie sensation DD Dumbo is from Castlemaine in rural Victoria (the original home of Castlemaine Brewers, makers of XXXX). He plays solo with a 12-string guitar and constructs bluesy loops with his banks of pedals, yet seems a bit incongruous as a support given how the main act tonight is so lyric-driven whereas Dumbo’s lyrics play backseat to the music and seem almost like an afterthought.

He has some cool Junior Kimbrough-esque moments (perhaps even throwing in Lord, Have Mercy On Me at one juncture) and, most importantly, the growing throng seems to totally dig it and the night powers on.

Soon it’s time for the main attraction; the lights dim, some cool visuals start to unveil on the screen behind the stage and four shadowy figures take their spots and we’re off, the familiar left-handed guitar stance of Courtney Barnett holding centre court as they open with a beefed-up rendition of David. Her band (the awesomely-monikered The Courtney Barnetts) have spread from a trio to a four-piece with the addition of Drone Dan Luscombe and his second guitar adds texture and grunt to familiar tracks like Lance Jr and Canned Tomatoes (Whole).

Despite her recent global success Barnett remains totally grounded – there’s zero pretention, the foursome performing and carrying on like it’s an impromptu jam at a mate’s place – the slacker vibe continuing with Scotty Says and the affirming Don’t Apply Compression Gently. After a cool take on Out Of The Woodwork, Luscombe comes into his own on the sprawling Anonymous Club before they rip through the sly examination of mainstream principles that is Are You Looking After Yourself?.

It’s been a while between drinks for new material from Barnett so it’s welcome when she throws a couple of new tracks into the fray – both Blah and Pedestal seem quite heavy in relation to the earlier fare but both feature prominent stream-of-consciousness lyricism and connect easily and immediately, auguring well for the next installment – before we’re treated to a joyous rendition of smash hit Avant Gardener which lifts the vibe in the already pumping room exponentially. After the obligatory break Barnett returns on her lonesome and offers a moving take on Depreston – showcasing her versatility in the process – before drummer Dave Mudie joins her for a moving (albeit humble) take on love ode Pickles From The Jar, and finally Luscombe and bassist Bones Sloan re-enter proceedings and Barnett farewells her fans warmly (“Have a fun life in general if I never see you again, hopefully I will”) as the night ends with a fittingly raucous run through of History Eraser.

It’s so awesome to see someone succeeding so clearly on talent alone.