Live Review: Jen Cloher, Courtney Barnett, Packwood

Packwood opened proceedings in inspired fashion, with Bayden Packwood Hines leading his mini-orchestra through a slightly awkward but memorable set. His gentle folk music was led by plucked banjo chords and his husky yet sweet voice. Songs like Bats and Longyearbyen go over well, their raw nature accentuated by strings and flute. Despite suffering from a slight cold Bayden settled into the role of frontman easily, his initial awkwardness giving way to his natural charm.

Courtney Barnett followed up with a bluesy guitar-rock set that really got the party going. Playing songs from her EP I've Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris, Barnett's casual and easy-going nature was infectious as we settled into the rockin' proceedings. Backed by Bones Sloane on bass and long time The Endless Sea drummer Jen Sholakis, Barnett opens with Are You Looking After Yourself, a song penned after a combination of text messages and conversations had with concerned parents. Ode To Odetta, Lance Jr. and Canned Tomatoes gave the set a great vibe as audience members mulled over their dessert. Barnett's voice contrasted quite well with her abrasive guitar tones, particularly on her new single History Eraser.

When the lady of the hour stepped onto the stage The Vanguard shook with delight. Jen Cloher was in damn fine form, busting out classics from her previous two albums and a fair few new tunes from her third LP expected to drop next year. Accompanied by Barnett and company, Cloher opened with a new song picking up where her previous album left off, a story about her father retelling – for his Alzheimer's diagnosed wife – how they first met, only for her to ask him to repeat the story again. Needless to say Cloher painted a beautiful portrait of two people finding their way to each other, an emotionally powerful song that swelled to a fantastic conclusion and was a great tease for her new album.

The show was indeed a special one, as Cloher named it her “Judas moment”, as she ditched the old acoustic and took up an electric guitar. Old songs like Save M, and Rain stood up well to the electric guitar treatment. New song Mount Beauty sounded terrific, Cloher and Barnett's voices harmonising quite well. As the show came to a close Cloher addressed the crowd “Thank you for supporting independent Australian music. And thank you for supporting my first electric guitar gig!”