Courtney Barnett Returns to The Anthem with the Creature of Habit Tour | Washington, DC | 5.10.26
- Nate Payne
- May 14
- 2 min read
Photos & Words by: Nate Payne
Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett returned to The Anthem on May 10, 2026, bringing her Creature of Habit Tour to Washington, DC for a night drenched in fuzzy guitars, introspective lyricism, and the unmistakable charm that has made her one of indie rock’s most beloved voices of the past decade.
The evening opened with energetic sets from Truman Sinclair and Momma, both warming up the crowd with layered guitars and emotionally charged performances that fit perfectly into the evening’s atmosphere.
Under low lights and surrounded by a heavy, hazy light, Barnett launched into “Stay In Your Lane,” immediately locking things in with distorted guitar layers and her signature delivery. The opening sequence rolled into “City Looks Pretty” and the fan-favorite “Avant Gardener,” sending waves of recognition through the audience as cheers echoed throughout The Anthem.
For Barnett, the venue has become familiar territory over the years. Her return marked another chapter in a long relationship with Washington audiences, following appearances supporting The National in 2019, headlining performances during her Tell Me How You Really Feel tour in 2018, and her co-headlining run with Kurt Vile in 2017. That history was evident throughout the night, with Barnett carrying the confidence and ease of an artist entirely comfortable in the space.
Throughout the performance, she moved between newer material and classic selections from across her catalogue. The four-piece band created a hypnotic rhythm, shelling out wave after wave of indie rock that washed over the crowd as fans swayed shoulder to shoulder beneath the venue’s towering ceiling. Barnett’s understated stage presence remained captivating, allowing the songs themselves to command the room without unnecessary spectacle.
Late in the set, Barnett performed “One Thing at a Time” before stepping away briefly ahead of a tightly locked three-song encore. She closed the evening with “Mostly Patient,” “Pedestrian at Best,” and the always cathartic “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party,” ending the night on a perfect blend of chaos and memories.
As the Creature of Habit Tour continues across North America through October before heading to Germany for its European leg, Barnett once again proved why her quietly powerful approach to songwriting and performance continues to resonate so deeply with audiences around the world.
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Courtney Barnett | Live at The Anthem | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 5.10.26
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