Wednesday night at the Roxian was pure indie-rock magic as Courtney Barnett brought her latest tour to the Burgh. Over the past decade, the Australian singer-songwriter has earned a massive international following thanks to her sharp storytelling, deadpan wit, and gritty guitar style. Fans flooded into the nearly sold-out Roxian with huge smiles, eager to see the indie rock hero perform as part of her Creature of Habit world tour. The evening served as a full celebration of her latest studio album, Creature of Habit, which showcases her growing depth as a songwriter. From the moment people stepped inside the historic venue, the anticipation was thick, friendly, and wonderfully contagious.
Opening the show was the remarkably talented experimental saxophonist Zoh Amba with a set full of raw emotion and fearless soundscapes. Their background of avand-garde jazz has given them a solid foundation to explore gritty Appalachian folk-rock. They still broke out the saxophone mid-set for a jarrring, chaotic solo that only a master of the intrument could pull off. They poured their heart and every ounce of energy into the set, stretching out riffs as far as they could go and taking the crowd on an intense sonic journey.
When Courtney Barnett finally took the stage, the energy in the building instantly shifted into overdrive. Joining her under the lights were her longtime musical partners, with Bones Sloane holding down the deep groove on bass while Stella Mozgawa brought immense power and precision behind the drum kit. Together as a power trio, Barnett, Sloane, and Mozgawa locked into a tight rhythm that felt both casual and completely unstoppable. Barnett shredded through her guitar parts with effortless cool, thrashing her hair around while singing every line with effortless charm. The dynamic connection between the three musicians on stage was obvious, proving just how much fun they still have playing together after all these years.
The setlist offered a wonderful balance that gave listeners a little bit of everything from across her career while letting Creature of Habit truly shine. The new tracks, especially the set opener “Stay In Your Lane,” brought a fresh, fuzzy intensity that slotted right alongside beloved fan favourites. “Avant Gardener” and “Pedestrian at Best” both had the entire room singing along at the top of their lungs. Barnett navigated the transition between fiery guitar jams and reflective acoustic moments with total grace. She performed “Mostly Patient” as a solo which has quickly become a new favourite, especially live. Every song choice felt intentional, giving longtime followers their nostalgic hits while convincing everyone that her newest material is some of her very best work.
The vibe inside the Roxian was pure bliss all night long. People near the barrier were dancing freely, strangers were sharing smiles, and everyone seemed completely immersed in the live music experience. Hardly anyone was looking at a phone screen because the collective joy in the room was far too special to ignore. The air felt warm, welcoming, and full of the simple happiness that comes from sharing great tunes with fellow fans. The set closed with “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party” and as the house lights came up, concertgoers slowly drifted toward the exit, humming their favourite melodies and basking in the afterglow of an unforgettable show.
August 12th, 2026
