MTV UNPLUGGED: COURTNEY BARNETT

5pm, sunday, Foxtel mtV

THERE is always something magical and compelling about witnessing a great artist connect with their audience in an intimate environment. MTV Unplugged has opened up that opportunity to a handful of Australian artists since they launched this revered format in Melbourne last year – hosting beautiful performances by Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, The Rubens and DMAs. Courtney Barnett was the final artist for this year’s Unplugged schedule and spent time reworking her repertoire for the show with her band and some very special guests. As the lucky audience sat in the Howler beer garden, festooned with native flowers and the evening birdsong competed with the concert volume, an apparently nervous Barnett bewitched fans with her set of much-loved indie rock anthems and covers.