Barns Courtney / The Ramona Flowers @ House of Blues, Dallas, TX

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

To stand out in today’s world of musicians takes some work, Barns Courtney is certainly putting in the work! In the grand scheme of things, he’s had a relatively short career in the business. But he worked the House of Blues in Dallas like a seasoned pro! In custom-made, spray-painted jacket, Courtney and the band hit the stage running with 2019’s “London Girls” from the album 404. As a photographer you look for energy to capture, Barns and his bandmates are pure energy!

In 2017, Courtney proved the show must go on, after breaking his foot while stage diving in Milwaukee. He went on to finish the song and was performing five days later in LA, from a rolling hospital bed. A month later, still in a cast he wowed the Lollapalooza audience with the assistance of nurse (not really a nurse) on Bumble. Come hell or high water, this kids gonna make it happen! Dallas was the second stop of his current Out With The Old Tour. Barns gives the audience a glimpse of some new material with “Supernatural”, a more radio-friendly change of pace.

Opening the show, The Ramona Flowers came armed with a good dose of early English pop. While listening to this band, I was transported to a time when bands like Soft Cell and the Cure ruled the airwaves. As an eighties metal kid, I bypassed these bands with a passion. But hearing the Ramona Flowers I realized I had missed some great music! Some of their latest music has some leanings toward disco, check out “Up All Night” and you’ll hear that unmistakable vibe.

In between songs Courtney reminds fans they’re the reason he’s on this stage. Introducing the song, “Little Boy” he recalls a time when money was tight, eating cans of sardines for dinner because it was the cheapest healthy food he could find. Outward appearances suggest Barns days as a pauper are behind him. His uptempo songs feel like anthems that should be played in European soccer stadiums! The Green Bay Packers felt this too when they requested he transform his signature song "Glitter & Gold" into a new anthem, "Green & Gold".

Barns sound is a nice meld of modern blues and seventies, stadium rock. When he sings, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie come to mind. The music is a one-two combination of the White Stripes meets the Black Keys. Many who take to the stage are performers, they simply perform the music. Barns Courtney is an entertainer; entertainers make you feel their passion! I can’t stress this enough, if he’s in your neighborhood, go see the show! Courtney will be touring through the middle of November of 2022, concluding his run in Seattle. Tour dates can be found at his website.

A big thanks to the House of Blues for hosting this party and to Barns Courtney for allowing MTC MAG to be front and center!

Photos of the show are below:

The Ramona Flowers