Anyone who went along to see Father John Misty expecting to see a continuation of his work with Fleet Foxes would have been largely disappointed. The two albums released under this name by Josh Tillman, Fear Fun and I Love You, Honeybear, have their acoustic/folk moments but the songs played live with a six piece band become full on rockers. The songs gain quite a bit from the change but I find Tilman’s performance, described by The Guardian as “Jim Morrison’s head on Jarvis Cockers’s body”, disconcerting. It’s as though he wants to be a rock god but hasn’t quite worked out how yet. It’ll be worth seeing what progress he’s made next time he tours.
Equally interesting were the support, Texan band Khruangbin, who play largely instrumentals, only the final song has vocals. The sound is a strange mix of psychedelia and funk. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again so I can decide if I like them or not!
Father John Misty Set List: Everyman Needs A Companion; Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings; When You’re Smiling And Astride Me; Only Son of the Ladiesman; Tee Pees 1-12; Nothing Good Ever Happens At The Goddamn Thirsty Crow; Funtimes In Babylon; Nancy From Now On; Chateau Lobby #4 (In C For Two Virgins); I’m Writing A Novel; Now I’m Learning To Love The War; Bored In The USA; Holy Shit; True Affection; This is Sally Hatchet; I Love You, Honeybear.
Encore: I Went To The Store One Day; Closer; The Ideal Husband
Posted by Stephen Towler 