Arj Barker’s The Mind Field, supported by Joel Ozborn - NAFA 2025
- thesneeview
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 28
Arj Barker’s The Mind Field is a masterclass in cerebral comedy, delivered with the kind of finesse that makes you laugh first and think later. Staged in a packed-out Spiegeltent, the show is a tightly woven exploration of consciousness, language, and the absurdity of modern life. Barker’s signature style, clever wordplay, layered ambiguity, and a touch of philosophical musing, was on full display, and the audience was more than ready to follow him down the rabbit hole.
Before Barker took the stage, the evening was kicked off by Joel Ozborn, whose opening act was a delightful surprise. With an uncanny resemblance to Eric Bana and Frank Woodley, Ozborn brought a nostalgic charm to the mic, lamenting the loss of daydreaming in an age where mobile phones have colonised every idle moment. His riff on the death of spontaneous thought was both funny and quietly profound, striking a chord with anyone old enough to remember boredom as a gateway to imagination.
Ozborn’s commentary on the evolution of film consumption was another highlight. He painted a vivid picture of the bygone ritual of visiting a video store: wandering the aisles, judging films by their covers, and committing to a choice regardless of its cinematic merit. The mysterious adult section, always just out of reach, added a cheeky layer to the memory. His attempt to poke fun at Charters Towers backfired amusingly, and the brief interruption by a few seconds of underwhelming fireworks only added to the charm of his set. Joel’s timing and self-awareness were impeccable, and if you get the chance to catch him supporting Anh Do in North Queensland this October or November, do yourself a favour.
When Barker took the stage, the energy shifted from nostalgic to introspective. His show, The Mind Field, is not just a collection of jokes—it’s a thematic journey through the quirks of human thought. He made no secret of his disdain for the current state of American politics, and his commitment to living out his days in Australia was met with approving applause. Barker’s material is built on linguistic precision, with double meanings and subtle twists that reward attentive listeners. And he’s not afraid to chip those who aren’t keeping up!
He tackled the mundane with a scientist’s curiosity and a comedian’s irreverence. From the unconditional love of dogs to the bureaucratic minefield of writing a will, Barker found humour in the everyday. His disdain for exercise was hilariously relatable, especially his workaround for gym memberships and his pseudo-disciplined approach to diet. This segued seamlessly into a surprisingly thoughtful contemplation of the purpose of farts: equal parts juvenile and genius, and thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd.
Barker’s affection for Melbourne coffee culture was another crowd-pleaser, especially his tales of special treatment at his local café. A couple of props added texture to the performance: a harmonica interlude that punctuated his set with musical flair, and a batch of custom stickers designed to inject humour into any situation, and facilitate some playful audience interaction. He wrapped up with a shameless plug for his upcoming film The Nut Farmer and if the film is anything like his live show, it promises to be a treat.
The Mind Field is Barker at his best - thoughtful, sharp, and unafraid to dig into the weird corners of the human psyche. It’s comedy that respects your intelligence while still making you snort with laughter.
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