Article Contributed by Tony Mueller
Published on 2026-05-16
Courtney Barnett | Maidson, Wisconsin | photos by Tony Mueller
Courtney Barnett played The Sylvee in Madison on 05/15/2026, marking her first time at the venue, and it was exactly the kind of Friday night show we all needed. She opened with the first track from her new album Creature of Habit, “Stay in Your Lane,” and right away the room was completely into it. That punchy opener set the tone and was full of the little improvisations that keep her live shows fresh and exciting.
After the first song, she greeted the crowd with that kindly, down-to-earth persona she’s known for, then slipped into a classic favorite from Tell Me How You Really Feel: “City Looks Pretty.” It was a familiar half-rager, half-melodic beauty that pulled everyone in, and you could already tell it was going to be a great night. The momentum only picked up as she moved into two of her biggest hits, “Avant Gardener” and “Small Poppies.” Those tracks had people singing along and rocking out. Everybody fed off the band’s playfulness and the collective energy in the room.
Midway through the set, she slowed things down with “Turning Green” from Things Take Time, Take Time. That one hit me right in the chest. It’s mostly a slow song that she stretched into a flourishing, improvised jam. It tugged at the heartstrings in a way that left the crowd fully present. After a handful of new tunes, she played “Anonymous Club,” and I was in tears. It’s a slow beauty that landed among my top five musical moments ever. On top of that, hearing it live in a room right down the street from my house made it feel even more personal. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift for the night. It was one of those moments that will sit with me for the rest of my life.
The set was a great mix: new material, deep cuts, and sing-alongs. We heard “Depreston,” with its great story about moving into a new place and not being so sure about it, and then came “Elevator Operator,” which had the crowd going to another level of excitement while the band layered the hard-hitting groove on the crowd. The pacing felt natural. There were a few high points, a few tender ones, and everything in between.
For the encore, Barnett started solo with a new track, “Mostly Patient,” which was quiet and intimate. She really let her lyrics breathe with this one. She then brought the band back out and they tore through “Pedestrian at Best” and closed with “Nobody Really Cares if You Don’t Go to the Party.” Those final two songs smashed the rest of the show into our brains in the best way possible. It was the kind of end that leaves you buzzing on the walk home.
This night had it all: old classics for longtime fans, fresh tracks from Creature of Habit for new ears, and plenty of crowd-pleasers to sing along to. The Sylvee proved to be the right kind of room for Barnett. It was close enough for the intimate moments to land, and roomy enough for the full-tilt ones to explode. Her new album is out everywhere, and hearing these songs live only deepened my appreciation for her craft.
It was one of those shows that will stand out forever. I couldn’t have thought up a better way to spend a Friday night in mid-May in Madison. Courtney has a knack for making each stop feel special, and last night at The Sylvee was no exception.
