COURTNEY BARNETT AT WHITE OAK MUSIC HALL IN HOUSTON, TX

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

The long awaited arrival in Houston of young Australian rock legend known as none other than Courtney Barnett happened earlier last month at White Oak Music Hall. Her first time in Houston proved to be very much necessary, as she packed the downstairs portion of the White Oak Music Hall venue - and nonetheless, on a Monday night. 

The tour is in support of Barnett's most recent album, Tell Me How You Really Feel. 

Barnett's arrival on stage was met with a sea of hands and a roaring crowd. "How's it going?," she said into the mic almost like she was greeting a friend. The set began and we were all witnessing a true master of the guitar at work. 

Although she's currently flexing both her guitar skills as well as her most recent critically acclaimed record, the live show's setlist included tunes like "Avant Gardener" and "Pedestrian at Best" from her previous albums, aiding to the most diehard of CB fans in the house. She performed "Let it Go," a collaboration with Kurt Vile for the first time solo, and she dedicated "Depreston" to any real estate agents in the venue. The crowd sang the in unison during the end of the latter, to which I was also scream singing too. 

There's so many reasons to love Courtney Barnett - she is easily comparable to so many other strong female rock influencers and artists. But, she's also her own legend of sorts. Her live shows amplify (literally) the talent and mastery woven throughout her lyricism and production, and if you call yourself a fan of music you'll go see her when she comes through your city.