Courtney Barnett returned home to perform on Howler’s stage in Brunswick for a stripped-back performance on the MTV Unplugged Melbourne stage.
Under a garland of lights and a canopy of florals in the outdoor courtyard of Howler, Barnett performed a stirring set of eight songs to an intimate audience of 150.
Barnett bewitched the crowd with her stripped back set which included hits Depreston, Avant Gardiner and Sunday Roast. With a guitar in hand, she was also joined on stage by Australian rock royalty Paul Kelly for a moving cover of Archie Roach’s iconic song Charcoal lane.
Adding to the guest line up, Barnett had vocalist Marlon Williams accompany her on stage for a moving rendition of Not Only I by Australian supergroup Seeker Lover Keeper and Evenlyn Ida Morris on piano for Courtney’s own Nameless, Faceless.
Courtney Barnett said about her performance
“I love playing to Melbourne crowds…I wanted to have a mixture of old songs, new songs and covers, and tracks that we don’t perform all the time – it’s been interesting to see the songs through a different filter, and it brings out this other emotional side to the music and the lyrics”.
“Unplugged is so nostalgic for me. We had two Unplugged Records in our CD collection growing up and I know those records inside out because we listened to them every day.”
The Melbourne-based singer/songwriter is the next Australian artist to be featured on MTV Unplugged Melbourne, joining Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, DMA’S and The Rubens, who have all taken to the stage with unforgettable intimate performances.
MTV Unplugged Melbourne is a series of special televised events showcasing the best local talent on a world stage. MTV Unplugged Melbourne is filmed in neighbourhood venues around Australia’s live music capital, Melbourne, hosted by Visit Victoria.
MTV Unplugged Melbourne: Courtney Barnett will broadcast Sunday 17 November at 6.30pm only on MTV on Foxtel, Fetch and MTV.com.au and will be simulcast at Federation Square.
